Close protection Cologne
Close protection in Cologne – discreet, personal and professional
For business owners, executives, families and public figures who want to get around safely in Cologne, in the Rhineland or on their travels, without protection taking over their daily lives. Planned and overseen by Marc Derlich, certified security and protection specialist.
At a glance
Close protection in brief
- What is close protection?
- Close protection means a planned, personal escort for someone whose safety is at increased risk in certain situations. It is provided by close protection officers, commonly known as bodyguards. Protection begins with an assessment of the situation and relies above all on preparation, alertness and well-coordinated procedures.
- Who is it for?
- For business owners and executives, private individuals and families, artists and public figures, business travellers and anyone who, for personal reasons, needs a higher level of protection.
- When does it make sense?
- When an appointment, a trip or a period in your life attracts more attention than usual: public appearances, sensitive negotiations, conflicts in your private life, specific threats or stays in unfamiliar places.
- How do I make an enquiry?
- You describe your situation in confidence – by phone, on WhatsApp or using the enquiry form. In the initial consultation we discuss the occasion, timeframe and locations. You then receive a quote tailored to your needs.
- What does it cost?
- We bill close protection at a day rate. If it is only needed for a few hours, we charge for a minimum of six hours. The total depends on duration, times of day, the number of close protection officers, travel and whether a security driver is needed. After the initial consultation you receive a fixed quote.
- Who is responsible?
- Marc Derlich, owner of DERLO Consulting & Protection. He plans every assignment himself, is personally present on most of them and remains your direct contact. DERLO holds a licence for security services under section 34a of the German Trade Regulation Act (§ 34a GewO).
- Where do you operate?
- DERLO is based in Frechen near Cologne. Our focus is on Cologne, the Rhein-Erft district, Düsseldorf and Bonn. Assignments across Germany and abroad are planned from here.
What close protection means
Protection begins long before the appointment.
Professional close protection is preparation, not visible deterrence. Most risks can be reduced before they arise: through a sober assessment of the situation, through well-planned routes and timings and through an escort who stays alert without standing out.
It starts with a personal threat assessment. Who are you, where do you go, who knows your movements and what has changed recently? From this we develop a protection plan that fits your daily routine, not the other way round.
On the job, calm is what counts. A good close protection officer keeps their distance where closeness would be intrusive, and is right there when it matters – in everyday life, at business appointments and at public appearances.
- Preventive protection measures instead of last-minute reactions
- A personal threat assessment as the basis of every assignment
- Discreet protection, adapted to your style and your surroundings
- Operational preparation of routes, locations, timings and contacts
- Protection in everyday life as well as at business and public appointments
Who it is for
Who close protection is right for
Close protection is about situations, not fame. Typical occasions from our work:
Business owners and executives
Responsibility, a high profile in your industry and sensitive decisions attract attention that is not always welcome. More on executive protection for business owners.
Typical situations
- Annual general meetings and press events
- Negotiations and dismissal meetings
- Trade fair appearances in Cologne and Düsseldorf
Private individuals
Conflicts in your personal life or a specific threat change your everyday life. Having someone at your side gives you back a sense of security.
Typical situations
- Harassment or stalking
- Court hearings and appointments with authorities
- The period after a separation
Families
Protection for family members that disrupts family life as little as possible and is coordinated with everyone involved.
Typical situations
- The school run and leisure activities
- Family celebrations and trips
- Periods of heightened attention
Artists and public figures
Appearances, fans and the media call for planning, so that routes stay clear and the focus remains on the performance.
Typical situations
- Performances, readings, meet & greets
- Moving between hotel, stage and vehicle
- Public appearances that draw crowds
Business travellers
Unfamiliar cities, tight schedules and transfers: these are the moments when planning matters most.
Typical situations
- Arrival at the airport or railway station
- Appointments in several places in a single day
- Stays abroad
People with particular protection needs
Anyone who has already been threatened, or whose work leaves them exposed, needs a solution that looks beyond individual appointments.
Typical situations
- Specific threats
- Disputes that could turn threatening
- High-profile professional positions
Services
What close protection includes
Every assignment is made up of the elements your situation actually requires.
Personal risk analysis
A sober assessment of people, places, appointments and schedules: where do people get close, where are the bottlenecks, where does attention build? Can also be booked separately as security consulting.
Tailored protection plans
Routes, timings, contacts and alternatives are defined and agreed with you, your office or your family.
Escort protection
Accompanying you to individual appointments, meetings and occasions. More on escort protection in Cologne.
Close protection at events
Protection for hosts, speakers, artists and guests, coordinated with the organiser and the security staff on site. More on event security.
Security driver and transfers
Pre-planned journeys between airport, hotel and appointment, with a security driver on request. More on our VIP chauffeur service.
Travel protection
Protection on business and private trips in Germany and abroad. More on international travel protection.
Discreet protection on the ground
During the assignment, what counts is calm, distance and alertness. Clothing, manner and positioning are adapted to the occasion.
How it works
How a close protection assignment works
Every assignment goes through six steps. Tactical details deliberately stay between you and us.
Initial consultation
Confidential, with Marc Derlich himself: occasion, timeframe, locations and your expectations.
Situation and risk analysis
An assessment of people, places and schedules – and of what really matters on this occasion.
Protection planning
Routes, timings, vehicles and contacts are defined, with alternatives built in.
Coordination
With you, your office, your family, the event organiser or the hotel, depending on the assignment.
On assignment
Discreet protection; where more is needed, with additional close protection officers from the network.
Debrief
Brief feedback, any open points and adjustments for future appointments.
Our approach
Good close protection goes unnoticed.
It makes sure an appointment runs the way you planned it: on time, undisturbed and without drawing attention.
The difference
Close protection or escort protection?
Both services involve accompanying people. The difference lies in scope and duration.
01
Close protection
Comprehensive protection over a period of time, with risk analysis, a protection plan and an escort at several locations.
- For heightened or ongoing threats
- Planning over days or weeks
- Covers everyday life, appointments, travel and your home surroundings
- Several close protection officers if needed
- Billed at a day rate; for just a few hours, a minimum of six
02
Escort protection
A targeted escort for individual appointments, journeys or occasions, often combined with a security driver.
- For individual appointments and occasions
- Planning for the specific day
- Focus on routes, arrival and departure
- Can be planned at short notice
- Billed for a minimum of four hours
We establish which option suits you in the initial consultation. More on escort protection in Cologne.
Accountability
One point of contact who plans every assignment himself.
At DERLO you do not deal with a call centre; you speak to Marc Derlich. He assesses the situation, plans every assignment himself and is personally present on most of them. Depending on the engagement, he works with experienced colleagues from his network, including former members of police and military special units. He selects and briefs them for each assignment. His guide “Close protection in Germany” offers an overview based on his own experience.
- Certified security and protection specialist (Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit, trained 2017 to 2020)
- Close protection training in Germany and abroad
- Active in close protection since 2020, in the security sector since 2016
- CQB courses, close protection medic training, driver safety training
- International operational experience, including in crisis regions
- Evacuation from crisis regions
- Preparation for travel abroad
- Licensed under section 34a of the German Trade Regulation Act (§ 34a GewO), based in Frechen near Cologne
Area of operation
Close protection in Cologne and the surrounding area
DERLO is based in Frechen, just west of Cologne. Short distances across the Rhineland, planning for all of Germany.
Cologne
The trade fair grounds, media companies, venues, the city centre and Cologne Bonn Airport are a short distance from our base in Frechen.
Frechen and the Rhein-Erft district
Our home base: Hürth, Pulheim, Kerpen, Bergheim, Brühl and Erftstadt are right on the doorstep.
Düsseldorf and Bonn
Easy to reach for trade fairs, delegations and appointments. More on executive protection in Düsseldorf.
Across Germany
Appointments in political circles in Berlin, business meetings and court hearings in Frankfurt, families and delegations in Hamburg and Stuttgart, trade fair days and sporting events in Munich: DERLO plans assignments like these from Frechen too. Travel and, where needed, additional close protection officers from the network are included in the quote.
International
Protection on your travels, individually prepared. More on international travel protection and on close protection for guests from Dubai and the UAE.
More services
Pairs well with close protection
Business owners & executives
Protection at appointments and when travelling.
Artist & VIP protection
For artists, creators and public figures.
Family protection
Calm, discreet protection for families and their loved ones.
Critical infrastructure & defence
Protection for employees in exposed roles.
Escort protection Cologne
Targeted protection for appointments, meetings and occasions.
VIP chauffeur service
Security drivers for transfers and appointments.
Frequently asked questions about close protection
How much does close protection cost?
We bill close protection at a day rate. If it is only needed for a few hours, we charge for a minimum of six hours. The total price depends on duration and times of day, the number of close protection officers, travel, preparation and whether a security driver is needed. After the initial consultation you receive a fixed quote.
When do you need close protection?
When there is a specific threat, or when a situation is likely to attract more attention than usual: public appearances, sensitive appointments, conflicts in your private life, threats or trips to unfamiliar places. If in doubt, an initial consultation helps you judge whether you need someone at your side or whether planning alone is enough.
Can I book close protection at short notice?
Short-notice enquiries are possible, and Marc Derlich is reachable around the clock. Whether an assignment can be arranged at short notice depends on scope, location and availability. The quickest way is by phone or WhatsApp.
Can I hire a bodyguard in Cologne?
Yes. If you are looking for a bodyguard, what you book at DERLO is a close protection officer: escort protection for individual appointments or close protection over several days. You describe the occasion, location and timeframe. Marc Derlich plans the assignment, bringing in close protection officers from his network for larger requirements, and you receive a fixed quote.
How discreet is close protection?
As discreet as the occasion allows. Clothing, distance and manner are adapted to your surroundings. Your enquiry and all information about the assignment are treated confidentially.
Is escort protection available for a single appointment?
Yes. Escort protection is particularly well suited to individual appointments, meetings or occasions, such as a court hearing, an event or arriving at the airport. We charge escort protection for a minimum of four hours. More on escort protection in Cologne.
Can I add a security driver?
Yes. A security driver handles transfers as part of the protection plan, with planned routes and coordinated arrival and departure. More on our VIP chauffeur service.
How does DERLO organise larger assignments?
Marc Derlich plans and coordinates every assignment himself and is personally present on most of them. When more staff are needed, he draws on a network of experienced close protection officers on a project basis, selecting and briefing them for each assignment.
Is DERLO licensed to provide close protection?
Yes. DERLO Consulting & Protection holds a licence for security services under section 34a of the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung). Marc Derlich is a certified security and protection specialist (Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit).
Request close protection in confidence
Briefly describe your situation. Marc Derlich will get back to you personally and discuss the next steps with you.