Advance Team Services are the planning and coordination work that happens before an executive protection detail, event, or movement takes place. The goal is to reduce uncertainty and make sure the security operation runs smoothly once the client arrives.
At Cornerstone Security & Transport, advance work is part of our Executive Protection services. Our team checks the location, confirms logistics, coordinates with the right people on-site, and prepares practical plans so security isn’t being figured out in real time.
What Advance Team Services include
Advance Team Services typically include:
- Pre-visit assessments: Reviewing the venue or location in advance to identify risks, entry and exit points, and any operational constraints.
- Site surveys and security sweeps: Checking the space for vulnerabilities and confirming key details like access points, back-of-house routes, staging areas, and line-of-sight issues.
- Route planning and transportation logistics: Planning secure routes, arrival and departure timing, parking/staging, and alternate routes when needed.
- Venue and stakeholder coordination: Coordinating with venue staff, building security, event organizers, and—when appropriate—local authorities to align on procedures and responsibilities.
Access control and credentialing plans: Defining how access will be controlled, who is authorized, and how screening/checkpoints will be handled without disrupting normal operations. - Emergency and contingency planning: Setting evacuation routes, medical response steps, and contingency plans for schedule changes or unexpected issues.
- Ongoing support during execution: Staying engaged during the operation to monitor conditions, manage coordination, and adjust plans as needed.
Why Vancouver Requires Advance Work
Vancouver operations can involve high traffic, public exposure, mixed-use buildings, and complex venue layouts. Advance planning helps reduce delays, confusion, and last-minute changes that can increase exposure.
It also helps ensure the security team is aligned on roles, communication, and decision-making before the client arrives.
Site Advance
A site can look fine on paper but still create problems during an operation. The advance team checks the location in person (or confirms details directly with the venue) to understand how the space actually functions.
Key things we look at include:
- Crowd flow: where people naturally gather and where congestion happens
- Visibility: where there are clear sightlines and where there are blind spots
- Choke points: doors, hallways, elevators, stairwells, and other areas where movement slows down
- Entry and exit points: which entrances work operationally and which ones create delays or exposure
- Vehicle access and staging: where vehicles can arrive, park, and load/unload without causing attention or delays
The goal is not just to confirm the site is “safe.” It’s to confirm it can be run smoothly with clear control over movement and access.
Route Planning and Movement Security
Movement is one of the most common areas where operations become exposed or disorganized. This usually isn’t because of a direct threat. It’s because movement creates predictable patterns and pressure points.
Common issues include:
- predictable arrival and departure timing
- visible entrances and exits
- long wait times outside vehicles or at doors
- bottlenecks at lobbies, elevators, valet areas, and check-in points
We plan movement to reduce these issues by setting:
- arrival and departure timing that reduces delays and crowd contact
- vehicle staging and pickup points that are practical and controlled
- alternate routes in case traffic, closures, or crowd issues come up
- clear positions and responsibilities for the team so movement stays organized
Movement is planned and controlled, not improvised.
Venue Liaison and Control Before You Arrive
Many problems come from poor coordination with the venue. If roles and procedures aren’t clear ahead of time, decisions get made on the fly by whoever is closest to the issue.
Advance work includes coordinating with the right people, such as:
- venue management
- event coordinators
- building security
- other relevant stakeholders when needed
That coordination helps prevent common operational issues like:
- doors being locked or inaccessible when they’re needed
- staff making access decisions inconsistently
- crowds forming near entrances without a plan
- unclear responsibilities during time-sensitive moments
The goal is to make sure everyone understands the plan before the operation begins.
Access Control
Access control should be organized and easy to follow. The purpose is to manage who enters restricted areas and keep movement flowing without confusion.
Advance planning typically covers:
- Screening locations: where screening happens and how people are directed
- Credential handling: how passes, lists, and permissions are managed
- Traffic flow: how staff, guests, vendors, and the principal move through the space
- Controlled vs. open areas: which zones require tighter control and which can remain normal
Done properly, access control supports security without disrupting the environment.
Contingency Planning
Plans change. Schedules shift. Locations adjust. Crowd and traffic conditions can change quickly. Advance Team Services account for this by building practical contingencies in advance.
This can include:
- alternate exits
- alternate routes
- alternate staging and pickup points
- clear procedures for adjusting the plan without delays
The goal is to avoid last-minute decision-making under pressure.
Live Support During the Operation
Advance work continues during execution. The advance team stays engaged to support the operation in real time.
This typically includes:
- monitoring conditions as they change
- managing logistics and timing
- coordinating with venue staff and security
- handling small issues early so they don’t become operational problems
This helps keep the operation consistent from start to finish.
What Clients Experience
Clients usually won’t see the advance work directly. They experience the outcome:
- smoother movement
- fewer delays
- fewer unexpected issues
clearer organization on site - less exposure during arrivals, departures, and transitions
That’s the standard.
The Cornerstone Standard
Cornerstone Security & Transport provides Advance Team Services in Vancouver as part of our Executive Protection services. The work is focused on planning, coordination, and clear execution.
If you’re preparing for executive movement, event security, or any operation where planning and logistics matter, advance services help reduce risk and improve overall control.
Contact Cornerstone Security & Transport to discuss Advance Team Services and how we can support your operation in Vancouver.
