what skill for Security checks?

[Repairman_Jack]

When friends and I played MegaTrav many years ago, we had a house-rule added skill called "Security" which represented expertise with both security systems and setting up security protocols, both physical and electronic.

In MgT2, what skill would best be used for a task like... "Setup a security detail and establish security protocols to protect a VIP" ?

Nothing seems directly applicable? How would you all handle a task like this?

 

[Reynard]

I'm amazed the Security skill from Scoundrel didn't port to 2e considering Travellers' knack for the shadow work. The description lists combining Security with Mechanics for physical and Computer for hacking. Just make it Mechanic(security) for physical locks and security traps and Electronics (security) for any hacking or electronic locks.

 

[Old School]

The Traveller Companion incorporates the Security skill in its own way. The Profession Skill is broken down into 6 categories, each with its own Specialties. Security is a specialty of the “Freeloader” profession.

 

[Repairman_Jack]

Reynard... I think you misunderstood. I'm not asking about devices, which if used for a security purpose would still likely require the appropriate device-type skill to setup... Electronics-Computer for computerized security, Mechanics for lower tech mechanical device, etc.

Instead, I'm asking about how to model a character's expertise in how to best setup security... even in the absence of such devices. For example, what skill governs how to best setup bodyguards to protect a VIP? That may have nothing to do with mechanical or computerized security (depending on the situation).

 

[Anonymous]

In version 2 core rules, for choosing locations for bodyguards and how they act, I lean towards tactics (military).

However, somewhat relevant to arranging some aspect of physical security would be Investigate, recon, tactics (military) or profession.

 

[Reynard]

Oooh, sorry. That'll teach me to read and write about this on break at work.

 

[Condottiere]

Freeloading may be more of a calling, than a profession; consider getting a call from someone claiming to be a social media influencer, who wants you to provide your goods and/or services for free so that he can review them and publish the results on whatever platform he's prominent on.

If you're attempting to breach security, it depends on what, whether physical location, vehicle, person, or virtually.

One of the important aspects is the psychology of the gatekeeper(s), so one more piece of engineering tends to get involved, social.

For personal security, military tactics might be more a form of specialized security tactics, since the objective is to keep the principal alive and healthy, which usually means creating a security buffer around the principal, and several boltholes, rather than trying to eliminate the assailants.

 

[Anonymous]

Freeloading may be more of a calling, than a profession; consider getting a call from someone claiming to be a social media influencer, who wants you to provide your goods and/or services for free so that he can review them and publish the results on whatever platform he's prominent on.

If you're attempting to breach security, it depends on what, whether physical location, vehicle, person, or virtually.

One of the important aspects is the psychology of the gatekeeper(s), so one more piece of engineering tends to get involved, social.

For personal security, military tactics might be more a form of specialized security tactics, since the objective is to keep the principal alive and healthy, which usually means creating a security buffer around the principal, and several boltholes, rather than trying to eliminate the assailants.

I would expect them to ask me to pay to get my product onto their show.

IT security today is heavily focussed on social engineering. I've seen reports saying upwards of 70% of data breaches arise from social engineering. The problem is phishing emails look so genuine (blame your users), and there are so many outdated systems (e.g. this very forum has an http login) for which updates are available and recommended by best practises, but the upgrade never gets done. (Then the news tries to blame silicon valley because people won't admit where the problem lies).

I agree about military tactics. Bodyguard work is fundamentally not that much different from the "protect the nerd until they geek the thing" or "evacuate the ambassador from the embassy to the airport" type of mission.

There are obviously some additional social considerations like "You can come into the restaurant, but your bodyguards have to sit at your table and can't recon other diners". They also have to decide how obvious it looks. The woman in this photo (https://i.imgur.com/4FaGJJr.jpg) is in regular clothing not combat armor, but it's quite obvious what she is if you recognise the man in the pink shirt she's guarding (it's Gaben from Valve/Steam). "I'm just an aide carrying the bossman's shopping - yeah. right".

 

[M J Dougherty]

The solution might be to to take a Tactics specialism such as (Close Protection) or (Surveillance) depending on the application.

 

[Condottiere]

Billionaires can afford to have female bodyguards act as personal assistants and escorts.

 

[Linwood]

There’s a whole branch of architecture focused on designing for security. From the obvious - separate entrances, meeting rooms, etc for visitors so they never see the real stuff - to the subtle, like landscaping designed to channel people towards some things and away from others.