Free CPD-Accredited Intermediate Certificate Course Gives Close Protection Professionals the Operational Skills to Assess Threats, Protect Clients, and Respond Effectively in Dynamic Security Environments
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited certificate course: Close Range Protection Methodologies (CRPM). This free intermediate-level online programme covers the core operational competencies of professional close protection — threat assessment, route planning, protective formations on foot and in vehicles, legal parameters, team communications, emergency extraction, and after-action review — giving learners the grounding to operate with the professionalism and judgement that close protection demands.
The Rising Stakes of Personal Protection
High-profile individuals face a threat environment that has grown more complex and more visible simultaneously. Executives, public figures, diplomats, journalists operating in conflict regions, entertainers, and high-net-worth individuals are increasingly exposed — and, in an era of social media and digital tracking, increasingly predictable in their movements and routines. Kidnapping for ransom remains a persistent and well-documented threat in numerous regions globally, with business executives and their families among the most targeted demographics. Targeted attacks, ambushes, and hostile surveillance are professional risks that extend across industries and geographies.
The close protection industry exists to manage these risks — and its professionalism and methodology have evolved substantially. Modern close protection is not reactive security theatre. It is a discipline built on advance work: identifying threats before a journey begins, planning routes with contingencies, establishing protective boundaries that reduce exposure in public spaces, and rehearsing emergency procedures until the right response is instinctive. A close protection team that has done its preparation correctly is rarely caught in a crisis — because the preparation makes crises less likely and ensures that when something does happen, the response is fast, coordinated, and legally sound.
Access to the structured training that builds these skills has historically been concentrated in expensive residential courses, placing professional close protection methodology out of reach for many who need it. Individuals transitioning into close protection from military or law enforcement backgrounds, security professionals expanding their skill set, and those beginning a career in private security have had limited access to high-quality foundational training at accessible cost.
Operational Knowledge That Travels
The course covers the full operational arc of a close protection assignment: the threat assessment and route planning that happen before a client ever gets in a vehicle; the protective formations and crowd-management techniques that apply on foot; the vehicle movement procedures that govern safe transit; the legal rules that every close protection operative must stay within even under pressure; the communications protocols that keep a team coordinated in real time; the emergency steps that move a client to safety when an incident develops; and the post-mission review that improves future operations.
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, said: "Close protection is a highly skilled, high-stakes profession — and the people who do it well protect some of the most vulnerable and exposed individuals in the world. The methodology that underpins that work should be teachable and accessible. This course makes it so."
This launch strengthens Alison's security and law enforcement portfolio, reinforcing its mission to make professional-grade training freely available to learners everywhere.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/close-range-protection-methodologies-crpm
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
