WHO WE ARE
IAPPA unites experienced personal protection professionals worldwide, committed to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and international cooperation.
OUR STORY
The International Association of Personal Protection Agents (IAPPA) was founded in 1989 by Mr. Jim King in the United States with the aim of connecting and promoting protection experts worldwide. Since its inception, IAPPA has played a critical role in creating global standards for professionalism, ethics and operational excellence in the local protection and security industry.
In 2017, Oliver Becker, CCPA®, took over the chairmanship of the association and led a new era of modernization and professionalization. Under his leadership, the headquarters was moved to Germany and later, in 2025, to Vienna, Austria, which strategically positioned IAPPA closer to international organizations such as the United Nations.
Today, IAPPA is led by an international leadership team with decades of operational experience in the areas of local protection, security management of companies and authorities, and high-level training development. This diverse team ensures that all IAPPA programs, certifications and initiatives reflect real relevance, international standards and professional integrity.
President Oliver Becker and the management team have also redefined the concept of membership within the IAPPA. The traditional open membership model has been replaced by a selective admission process that ensures that only those who share the core values of the association - courage, loyalty, respect and honor - and adhere to its standards of excellence are admitted. This shift underscores IAPPA's commitment to quality before quantity and preserves the integrity and credibility that have shaped the association for more than three decades.
As a global community, IAPPA continues to stand for professionalism, ethical behavior and commitment to the protection of life. Together we pursue our mission: to protect people, raise standards and shape the future of international security.
The Team
The International Association of Personal Protection Agents (IAPPA) is led by an experienced international team of professionals who have dedicated their careers to the art and science of protection. Our leadership combines decades of hands-on expertise in close protection, operational security management, and specialized training across governmental, corporate, and private sectors.
With backgrounds in international security operations, risk management, and education, the IAPPA leadership team ensures that every training, certification, and initiative meets the highest global standards of professionalism, ethics, and practical relevance. Together, we uphold the mission of the IAPPA – to advance and unify the profession of personal protection worldwide.
Oliver Becker, CCPA®
Oliver Becker, President of the International Association of Personal Protection Agents (IAPPA), leads the organization with over three decades of experience in international security and close protection. Under his direction, the IAPPA sets global standards in professional training, certification, and ethics for protection agents, fostering excellence, integrity, and international cooperation within the security industry.
Charles Mallice, CCPA®
Charles Mallice, Vice President of the International Association of Personal Protection Agents (IAPPA), brings extensive experience from the fields of executive protection and international security operations. With a strong background in leadership and training, he is dedicated to promoting professional standards, operational excellence, and global collaboration among protection specialists worldwide.