Close Protection in Cairo

Cairo is Egypt’s capital and a significant commercial centre for business across North Africa and the wider Arab world. For most corporate visitors, it presents a manageable security environment. The threat profile is more legal than physical for day-to-day operations. Two elements require specific attention: a genuine terrorism threat that Moroccan authorities work hard to contain, and a strict legal framework that catches foreign visitors who are not properly briefed.

The security landscape

The FCDO advises that terrorist attacks are likely in Egypt. The primary group, IS-SP, concentrates its operations in the North Sinai, which carries an FCDO against all travel advisory. Cairo itself has a significant security presence at tourist sites and major infrastructure.

The targeted shootings in Alexandria are a different matter. In 2023, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were shot and killed. In 2024, an Israeli-Canadian national was killed in a further shooting. Both incidents were documented by the FCDO. They indicate that individuals with Israeli connections or Israeli-linked itineraries face a specific threat that extends to tourist centres across Egypt, not just conflict zones.

The sexual assault documentation at Red Sea resorts is a separate concern. The British Embassy in Cairo has recorded multiple cases involving hotel staff and excursion guides. In documented incidents, hotel staff discouraged victims from reporting. This requires active security planning for any delegation that includes female members, regardless of seniority.

The legal environment carries risks that are not immediately apparent to first-time visitors. Photography restrictions are broad and strictly enforced. The Suez Canal, military installations, and government buildings are off-limits for photography, including from a moving vehicle. Drug laws carry the death penalty or life imprisonment. Social media monitoring of foreign nationals is documented. A communications briefing is as important as a physical security briefing for any Cairo visit.

Operating in Cairo

Security drivers are the baseline requirement for any corporate itinerary in Cairo. The road environment is genuinely hazardous: aggressive driving, unmarked hazards, and inconsistent traffic enforcement make accidents a routine risk for visitors unfamiliar with local conditions. A security driver monitors routes, avoids predictable patterns, and provides the first layer of situational awareness.

The Tourist Police (126) is a dedicated resource for foreign visitors, operating separately from the regular police (122). In any incident involving a foreign national, the Tourist Police is generally the more productive first contact.

The regulatory framework

Private security in Egypt is regulated by the Ministry of Interior. All operators require a valid licence. Armed private security is tightly controlled and generally unavailable for commercial assignments. The standard operating model for Cairo is unarmed close protection with Egyptian Police coordination where required.

Foreign operators must obtain Ministry of Interior authorisation before working in Egypt. The practical approach is to use Egyptian-licensed operators through a vetted partner network.

Our operations in Cairo

We deploy close protection officers, security drivers, and residential security teams in Cairo and across Egypt. For UHNWI and corporate clients, we conduct advance reconnaissance for all meeting and accommodation locations. All operators go through our internal vetting process in addition to Egyptian regulatory requirements.

All enquiries are treated with maximum discretion. Client details are not retained on any public-facing system.

Sources: FCDO Travel Advice for Egypt (April 2026). US State Department Travel Advisory for Egypt, Level 2 (April 2026). British Embassy Cairo public advisories. FCDO incident reports: Alexandria shooting 2023, Alexandria shooting 2024.