Scott Stewart’s Lasting Impact on Protective Intelligence
The following is a personal message from the Executive Director, Fred Burton, regarding Scott Stewart’s nomination as a Pioneer in the Protective Intelligence Honors Program: One cold and rainy Thanksgiving Day many years ago in Washington, D.C., our command center notified us about a domestic threat from a person of interest against the Secretary of…
Read More2021 State of Protective Intelligence Infographic
Jack Carr’s Path from Former Navy SEAL to New York Times Bestselling Author
If you’re a protection officer, chances are you’ve read a Jack Carr novel (or six) while in a down room or taking a break in a follow car. Whether you’re in the field of protection, a retired officer, or want to escape into an adrenaline-filled place of being a Navy SEAL sniper, pick up one…
Read MoreA Tribute to Clint Hill, Protective Intelligence Honors Pioneer
The following is a personal message from the Executive Director, Fred Burton, regarding Clint Hill’s nomination as a Pioneer in the Protective Intelligence Honors Program: When we first started thinking about the Protective Intelligence Honors program, Clint Hill was the first person that came to mind. Some may not recognize the name, but anybody who…
Read MoreContinuous Monitoring in the Intelligence Cycle
In this whitepaper, learn the elements of continuous monitoring, including:
Read MoreThe Case Files: Nasim Najafi Aghdam
In this blog series, we explore historical events to teach us what pre-incident indicators were present to reduce the chance of bad things happening in the future. History tells us that there is no detail too small, as even the slightest move off-center can set off an unfortunate domino effect. This Case File shares a…
Read MoreHow to Create Intelligence from Anomalies and Patterns
In this 45-minute webinar, hear from security leaders from Ontic share the core elements of threat hunting, including:
Read MoreTaking Back Control of Online Reputation and Privacy
In this episode Digital breadcrumbs can pose real-world dangers—especially for high-profile executives. In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Rich Matta, CEO of ReputationDefender, to break down how online privacy is becoming a frontline issue in physical security. With threats on the rise, the conversation explores how removing or obscuring personal details online can…
Read MorePhysical Threats Are Rising: Key Compliance, Legal Issues for GCs
This article was originally featured on Bloomberg Law. It is co-authored by Fred Burton, Executive Director of the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence, and Scott Shepherd, Chief Legal Counsel. General counsel and chief legal officers are multidimensional leaders who touch every part of an organization, guardians guiding legal and regulatory matters for the business, navigating…
Read MoreGaining Deeper Insights Beyond Social Media Threat Intelligence
When we zoom out and think about corporate threat assessment investigations holistically, it’s clear that social media threat intelligence plays a significant role — but how significant is it? In this article, we’d like to explore the benefits of using social media threat monitoring when conducting investigative research, as well as the pitfalls of relying…
Read MoreBefore the IPO: When to Think About Security
Most CEOs of companies undergoing an IPO don’t know what they need. Understand the holistic threat before buying security software and systems. When it comes to physical security systems and programs, many get sold a Cadillac when all they need is a Chevrolet, so work with a trusted vendor. Over the years, I’ve been asked…
Read MoreWho’s Watching? The Role of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures in Corporate Security
The last time you checked into a hotel room you may not have thought to check the clock radio, outlets and lamps for bugs, or recording devices used for eavesdropping. This effort is commonly referred to as technical surveillance counter measures (TSCM), and Rob Kimmons has made a career off of this practice, performing 75-100…
Read MoreGetting Proactive with Protective Intelligence
This article was originally featured on ASIS International. The deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol on 6 January 2021 reinforced the concept that chief security officers’ modern day physical security programs must prioritize protective intelligence to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate harmful threats. As the FBI and law enforcement officials comb through hundreds of thousands…
Read MoreAsk Me Anything with Fred Burton & General James “Spider” Marks
In this Ask Me Anything on-demand webinar, watch as long-time security professionals answer your questions and share:
Read MoreWhat Is Executive Protection? A Complete Guide (2026)
Executive protection is a specialized security function focused on protecting executives, public-facing leaders, board members, and other high-risk individuals from physical, digital, operational, and reputational threats. Modern executive protection programs are designed to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks before incidents occur through protective intelligence, threat assessment, travel security, operational planning, and continuous monitoring. While…
Read MoreInvestigative Journalist Spotlights Failure in Supply Chain Security
When patients seek medical care, they trust that any recommended prescriptions will help them cure or prevent an illness. However, time and time again, the distribution system for compounded drugs leaves room for error — with drugs being made too fast, without having to be tracked and counted, and lacking FDA approval. This absence of…
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