International Bodyguard Association
World's Oldest and Most Recognized Organization in Professional Protection Training – Protection with Honour and Discipline
World's Oldest and Most Recognized Organization in Professional Protection Training – Protection with Honour and Discipline
Director General – International Bodyguard Association (IBA)
Known as: Professor Max
Current Position: Director General of the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) (since 2023)
Previous Positions:
Professor Fiorentini has a strong military background and has served as a tactical operator and parachutist within the Italian armed forces. He joined the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) in 2003 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his expertise and leadership in protective security and training.
In 2013, he was appointed Regional Director for IBA Italy and Switzerland, overseeing operational training programs and managing international protective operations. Following the passing of the previous Director General, he officially assumed the role of Director General of IBA in 2023.
Professor Fiorentini possesses extensive experience in:
His training philosophy integrates tactical awareness, discipline, and advanced protective strategies used by elite international security units.
As the current Director General of IBA, Professor Fiorentini leads the global management and training programs of the organization. He also heads the Praetorian Camp Academy in San Martini, Italy — the main European training facility of the IBA where advanced and intensive courses are conducted.
He oversees the international instructor team, coordinating training for:
Professor Massimiliano Fiorentini is a respected leader in the global protection community. Under his leadership, the International Bodyguard Association continues to expand its educational standards, practical training programs, and international presence — ensuring that IBA remains the world’s most recognized bodyguard and close-protection training organization.
The International Bodyguard Association (IBA) is the world’s oldest and most recognized organization dedicated to the professional training and certification of bodyguards, close protection officers, and security specialists. It was founded in December 1957 in Paris, France, by Lucien Victor Ott, a French military veteran, paratrooper, and intelligence officer who served with distinction in the French Foreign Legion and other elite units.
Ott’s vision was to create an international organization that would set global standards in close protection and establish a structured system of training, ethics, and professionalism in the protective services industry.
Since its founding, the IBA has expanded into more than 50 countries and has trained thousands of protection professionals serving in:
IBA’s training methods are rooted in military discipline, tactical efficiency, and international best practices. Over the decades, the association has evolved into a global authority in personal protection and operational security.
Following the death of founder Lucien Victor Ott, the leadership of IBA continued through a line of senior instructors and regional directors, each maintaining the organization’s high standards of integrity and expertise.
Since 2023, the Director General of IBA has been Professor Massimiliano Fiorentini, an Italian military veteran and senior IBA instructor with over 25 years of international experience in close protection and tactical training.
The IBA’s primary mission is to:
Its motto — “Protection with Honour and Discipline” — reflects the organization’s commitment to professionalism, loyalty, and responsibility.
IBA conducts a wide range of specialized training courses for both government and private sector personnel, including:
These courses are offered through certified IBA instructors at authorized training centers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
IBA operates with regional offices and accredited representatives in more than 50 countries. Its graduates work in various international assignments protecting heads of state, diplomats, executives, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals.
IBA also maintains partnerships with military and police training academies, allowing for integrated programs that bridge the gap between public and private security sectors.
The International Bodyguard Association places a strong emphasis on:
Each member of IBA is bound by a strict Code of Conduct and is expected to represent the organization’s values both in training and in the field.
IBA is officially listed in the Union of International Associations (UIA) database and is recognized as one of the oldest and most respected international security training institutions. Its founder, Lucien Victor Ott, is remembered as the “Father of Modern Close Protection.” His methods and philosophy continue to influence global protection standards to this day.
Under the current leadership of Professor Massimiliano Fiorentini, the IBA continues to expand its global presence while maintaining the highest standards of training, discipline, and professionalism in the field of personal protection.
Official Website: www.ibahq.org
Motto: “Protection with Honour and Discipline.”
Date of Birth: 14 August 1987 | Nationality: Iranian (Currently residing in Iraq) | Organization: International Bodyguard Association (IBA) – Established 1957 | Position: Official Representative of IBA & Regional Training Coordinator for the Middle East (Since 2024)
Professional Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) with 17 years of professional experience in executive and VIP protection. Officially joined the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) in 2024 as the official representative and regional coordinator for training programs across the Middle East. Highly skilled in tactical defense, risk assessment, and personal security operations. Dedicated to upholding the IBA’s global standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Senior Advisor to the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) in Iran and Iraq
Born on April 5, 1976, Majid Hazeri is a distinguished and influential figure in the fields of management, education, and organizational consulting in Iran and Iraq.
He began his professional career in 1998, focusing on executive management, strategic planning, and educational development. Over more than two decades, he has played a significant role in enhancing managerial knowledge and organizational standards through cooperation with both national and international institutions.
Mr. Hazeri currently serves as the Senior Advisor to the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) in Iran and Iraq, where he has contributed greatly to improving the quality of professional training programs, coordinating specialized security courses, and strengthening the regional structure of IBA in the Middle East.
Born into a religious and traditional family in Yazd, Iran, Mr. Hazeri comes from a line of dedication, sacrifice, and service. His father and brother were martyred in 1981 (1360 in the Iranian calendar) while defending their homeland.
His brother, Martyr Abolghasem Hazeri, was among Iran’s respected philanthropists and benefactors, known for building mosques and schools that continue to serve communities to this day.
His late father was also a renowned architect from Yazd, whose historic architectural works remain as enduring symbols of Iranian art, faith, and cultural heritage.
In addition to his managerial and advisory roles, Mr. Hazeri is a lecturer in psychology and personal development, with extensive experience in behavioral sciences, crisis management, stress control, interpersonal communication, and human resource development.
Through his deep faith, experience, and leadership vision, Majid Hazeri has become one of the most trusted and influential figures within the IBA network in the Middle East, continuously working to promote growth, professionalism, and human development across the region.
Mr. Seyed Amir Mohammad Seyed Hosseinkhani is the only representative approved by the IBA organization in Iran, and his official appointment decree will soon be published on the website.
Close-Quarters Battle (CQB), or Close-Quarters Combat (CQC), is the set of tactics, techniques, and procedures used to operate and fight at very short ranges — inside rooms, hallways, buildings, and dense urban terrain. CQB blends shooting skills, movement, team coordination, fast decision-making under stress, and strict safety discipline. Mastering CQB reduces risk to teammates and non-combatants while increasing mission success in confined spaces.
Origins: Fighting in confined spaces is as old as warfare, but modern CQB techniques trace back to early 20th-century urban policing and the work of instructors like William E. Fairbairn in Shanghai, who developed close-range shooting and control tactics.
Post-WWII evolution: Special operations and counterterror units refined CQB tactics through the Cold War and especially after high-profile terrorist incidents (for example, the response changes following the 1972 Munich attack). Units such as SAS, GSG 9, Delta Force, and others developed systematic entry, room-clearing, and hostage-rescue procedures.
Modern era: Today’s CQB integrates force protection, non-lethal options, advanced breaching, and evidence preservation in addition to lethal engagement techniques.
Eye and ear protection, helmets, body armor as required.
Training weapons or converted/blue guns for force-on-force.
Simunitions/marking rounds or other non-lethal training ammo for realistic scenario work.
Door-breaching tools, speedloaders, extra magazines, retention slings.
Simple comms (short phrases, hand signals) and chevrons/role markers for role-players.
CQB training often involves weapons, potentially dangerous tools, and simulated violence. Always follow local laws, coordinate with certified instructors, use safe ranges or purpose-built facilities, and prioritize non-combatant protection and de-escalation where possible.
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