History and Development History and Development of IBA

The International Bodyguard Association (IBA) was founded in Paris, France, in 1957. Since its establishment, the IBA has positioned itself as one of the world’s foremost professional bodyguard training organizations. The Association has been at the forefront of bodyguard education across the Baltic and Balkan emerging republics, the European Union security sector, the new South Africa, Afghanistan, and throughout Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.

In 2004, in addition to its standard training programs, the IBA delivered specialist training to the Iraqi Police, Cambodian Police, selected units of the United States Army 1st Special Forces Group, United Nations (UN) security personnel, and close protection operatives and drivers supporting the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In the years that followed, IBA training was also provided to the Royal Thai Police, the Royal Thai Navy SEALs, and the Royal Thai Army Special Forces (Task Force 90).

In 2005, under the auspices of the Mongolian government, IBA programs were conducted for Special Forces units, the Central Intelligence Agency, national special protection agencies, and police SWAT teams. In the United Kingdom, IBA graduates were among the first to obtain the new national Security Industry Authority (SIA) Close Protection (CP) licence. This training was delivered through a partnership between the IBA and New College, Swindon, and was later complemented by cooperation with the Protector Network.

The IBA also worked in partnership with Rightrack to deliver the BTEC Level 3 Close Protection qualification required for obtaining the SIA Close Protection Operative (CPO) licence. From March 2006 onward, the SIA CPO licence became a legal requirement for bodyguards operating within the United Kingdom. All IBA candidates—both UK-based and international—who sat either the BTEC Level 3 or the City & Guilds CP3 Close Protection examinations achieved a 100% pass rate.

With special authorization from the Director General, SIA-registered Close Protection courses may also be conducted outside the United Kingdom. In recent years, IBA graduates have successfully and safely completed high-risk PSD and CP assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia. In the autumn of 2006, the IBA provided training to the first Homeland Security platoon in the United States, and prior to that delivered instruction to Malta’s Armed Forces “C” Company (Special Duties) of the 1st Regiment, as well as police units.

The IBA has consistently delivered the highest standard of training to government, military, police, and civilian protection personnel. IBA Headquarters has provided training and advisory services to the security sector of the UK Cabinet Office, and in 2010 conducted training for the National Police close protection teams in Ankara, Turkey. In recognition of contributions to the training of government protection and counter-terrorism units following independence, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko awarded the IBA Director General a medal of merit under Presidential Decree No. 698/2006. The Director General has received similar honors from Baltic and Balkan states, as well as from various governments and churches, for comparable service.

The outstanding reputation of the International Bodyguard Association is the result of more than five decades of proven excellence in protection skills training. The IBA 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner was held on Friday, 14 December 2007, at Dublin Castle in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Looking ahead, the year 2027 will mark the 70th anniversary of the IBA, and a commemorative AGM (Annual General Meeting) and International Bodyguard Association 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner is scheduled to be held in Italy, the location of IBA Headquarters.