Executive protection, also known as close protection, refers to security and risk mitigation measures taken to ensure the safety of celebrity or high-net-worth individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risks because of their employment, celebrity status, net-worth, or other affiliations.

Protective measures implemented for executive protection services may include home security systems, bodyguards, armored vehicles, mail screenings, and other protective intelligence measures. Executive protection services may be extended to other family members or pets to prevent kidnapping/dognapping and or extortion.

Executive protection is its own highly specialized field within the private security industry. Executive protection specialists often have training in protective intelligence, first aid, estate security, behavioral intelligence, advances, and surveillance detection. Each state has different licensing requirements for those providing executive protection services in most cases a state will require licensing, insurance, and a state-approved training program.

The term executive protection was first coined by the United States Secret Service in the 1970s when they created the Executive Protection Service guard for visiting foreign dignitaries.

An executive protection specialist may perform a variety of roles to protect their client: