Embassy and Diplomatic Services

Embassy security is the specialised protection of diplomatic premises, personnel, and principals operating under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Unlike commercial or residential security, diplomatic security operates within a specific legal framework: the host country is obliged to protect diplomatic premises, but the mission retains the right to control access and manage its own internal security posture.

In practice, embassy security combines static guarding at the perimeter and access points, close protection for the ambassador and senior diplomatic staff, event security for receptions and official functions, and a structured threat-and-risk assessment process that is reviewed at defined intervals.

The Netherlands hosts over 150 diplomatic missions — one of the highest concentrations in Europe. This density, combined with The Hague's role as the seat of international legal institutions, creates a complex and elevated threat environment that requires specialist providers rather than general security contractors.

Diplomatic security requirements vary by mission, country of origin, and the current threat landscape. High-risk missions — those representing countries involved in active conflicts, subject to sanctions, or with known adversarial intelligence activity against them — require a consistently higher security posture. Medium-risk missions may operate with a lighter profile that surges for specific events.

Event-driven requirements include state visits, national day receptions, high-profile arrivals and departures, and periods of political tension in the home country. Mission Support provides surge capacity for these events under framework agreements that define response times, team sizes, and escalation protocols in advance.

Threat assessments are the starting point for any diplomatic security engagement. We review the mission's current posture, assess the gap between actual risk and deployed capability, and produce a prioritised set of recommendations. Missions are under no obligation to implement all recommendations immediately — the assessment is designed to support informed budget and resource decisions.

Mission Support operates in the diplomatic security environment with full awareness of the protocols, sensitivities, and legal constraints specific to this sector. Our personnel understand the difference between operating inside and outside the mission perimeter, the rules governing contact with host-country authorities, and the conduct expected when working alongside or in coordination with the Dienst Bewaken en Beveiligen (DBB) of the Dutch National Police.

We do not subcontract diplomatic security assignments. Every operative deployed to an embassy or diplomatic residence works directly under Mission Support command, is vetted to the appropriate level, and is briefed on the specific mission protocol before deployment. Doctrine is consistent across shifts.

Framework agreements are our preferred vehicle for diplomatic clients. A framework defines the security baseline, escalation triggers, surge capacity, and pricing in advance — so when a threat event occurs, the response is immediate and pre-approved rather than requiring a new procurement process under pressure.