From strategy to security: Military expertise for today's businesses
From training elite operatives to guiding businesses through modern challenges, SOAG stands at the crossroads of strategy and innovation. CEO Patrick Shaerrer discusses the company's mission to empower EU agencies and businesses with advanced training and security solutions, highlighting how military principles redefine operational excellence and resilience.
Can you give us an overview of your company and its mission in providing specialised training for law enforcement, intelligence, and military units across the EU?
SOAG Ltd was incorporated in Malta five years ago. Our team consists of current and former special operations operatives covering the spectrum of specialisations from kinetic warfare to tactical medicine, cyber and electronic warfare, and open-source intelligence. We offer restricted bespoke courses to various agencies, as well as several adapted civilian courses.
The need for realistic and up-to-date training for government agencies has never been more critical in a world increasingly shaped by complex geopolitical dynamics and a rapidly evolving threat landscape. At SOAG, we provide our clients with the most current, battle-tested skills and tools.
As veterans, we understand the high stakes and the consequences of failure. This firsthand knowledge drives us to deliver training programs tailored to prepare our clients for today's and tomorrow's challenges, ensuring they are equipped to respond effectively and efficiently.
Your work involves applying intelligence tools and tactics to due diligence, AML, and KYC processes. How can businesses benefit from these advanced methodologies in enhancing their operations?
In 2024, we started adapting several of our courses to civilian applications. Examples include our Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) course, which focuses on AML and due diligence, situational awareness, and crisis management training.
We are proud to count some of the most prominent law firms and hospitality groups among our valued clients, who rely on our expertise for these critical services. Long before terms like due diligence (DD), know your customer (KYC), and anti-money laundering (AML) became mainstream, they were the domain of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
As one of the leading organisations providing training to EU member agencies, we possess an unparalleled understanding of the tools and techniques essential for navigating today's complex landscape.
Drawing from military strategy, you've developed a unique approach to business development and project management. How do these principles translate to the corporate world, and what advantages do they offer?
Unique may be too generous; instead, our ability to translate military skills into the business world sets us apart. Militaries have long been at the forefront of tackling complex logistical and project management challenges, often under extreme conditions. The scale, coordination, and precision required in military operations, whether in peacetime or wartime—are unparalleled. While the context of operations shifts depending on whether the situation is war or peace, the underlying principles of efficiency, organisation, and adaptability remain core.
Military logistics, in particular, has long been a blend of advanced planning, resource allocation, and real-time problem-solving to maintain the force's operational readiness. Modern military operations' efficiency, especially during wartime, can result from decades of refinement, training, and technological advancement.
While militaries may exhibit some unique characteristics in handling these tasks, the practices themselves—such as supply chain management, contingency planning, and resource optimisation—are also adaptable to other sectors.
Technical counter-surveillance is a critical service in today's environment. What are the key threats businesses face, and how does your company help mitigate them?
Privacy has become a critical concern in corporate and personal contexts, especially as technology advances. Using technical surveillance for commercial gain—often crossing ethical lines—has raised serious privacy issues across industries. In a landscape where data security is paramount, organisations face a growing need to protect sensitive information from unauthorised surveillance and cyber threats.
SOAG's comprehensive risk mitigation services—ranging from technical counter-surveillance sweeps to security audits, penetration tests, and employee training—address these challenges head-on. By identifying vulnerabilities, detecting unauthorised surveillance methods, and ensuring that personnel are well-equipped to handle security threats, such services help businesses safeguard their operations and data.
In addition, employee training is critical, as human error is often a weak point in security protocols. Ensuring staff understand the risks and best practices for protecting sensitive information can significantly prevent breaches or exploitation of technical vulnerabilities.
As privacy concerns continue to grow, companies must stay ahead of evolving risks by integrating robust security measures, both technical and human, into their overall strategy. It's about maintaining the balance between leveraging technology and protecting the privacy of individuals and the integrity of organisational data.
As a keynote speaker, you focus on applying military principles to business challenges. What are some of the most impactful lessons from the military that businesses can adopt?
The principles of behaviour and leadership apply to all levels, from individuals to nations. What varies is the context in which these principles are used and how they're operationalised based on the environment—whether it's peacetime or wartime for the military or business as usual versus crisis mode for companies.
In peacetime, the military emphasises maintaining structural integrity and operational readiness. It often focuses on efficiency, discipline, and adherence to established procedures, with less room for individual initiative or deviation from standard protocols. This is because the stability of the force and its ability to mobilise rapidly when needed are paramount.
However, in times of war, the context shifts dramatically. Innovation, adaptability, and initiative become critical. Leaders and soldiers on the battlefield must think on their feet, make decisions rapidly, and often operate in unpredictable environments. This is when initiative becomes a tactical advantage—small, decentralised decisions made at the operational and tactical levels can dramatically alter the course of events.
The same principles apply to business, especially in high-stakes environments or moments of crisis. By focusing on leadership, team building, and instilling ownership of outcomes, you ensure that teams are empowered to take responsibility and remain focused on their goals. The ability to shift, when necessary, from a strict hierarchy to a more decentralised, initiative-driven approach enables organisations to navigate uncertainty and complexity effectively.
In both cases, the value lies in creating an environment where individuals and teams feel accountable and empowered to act decisively and creatively. The focus on target-oriented execution, whether in military strategy or business objectives, provides clarity and drive, helping to align efforts with the desired outcome.
Patrick Shaerrer
In short, effective leadership and a focus on ownership, responsibility, and adaptability are universal principles that transcend context—whether you're in a military unit, a corporation, or even an individual facing a challenge.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for expanding your company's services, and how do you envision your expertise shaping the market in Malta and beyond?
There is an increasing demand closely associated with Malta's elevated visibility on the global stage. Industries like hospitality now have significantly different security requirements than ten years ago. What was acceptable in the past is not fit for purpose today.
By utilising our local expertise, we aspire to extend our reach with our civilian-adapted services within Malta and beyond. We are committed to supporting our current clients while collaborating with local government initiatives to improve our security, defence, and business educational programs for civilian applications. Furthermore, we are expanding our product portfolio in electronic equipment manufacturing to respond to the rising needs identified in current conflict zones.
For more info, email Patrick at patrick.schaerrer@soagmalta.com or visit www.soagmalta.com.
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