Challenges Facing Security Industry and Historical Inflection Points
This article is based off of my 2020 OSAC Annual Briefing presentation “Historical Inflection Points for the Security Industry” Looking back, history has not been kind to the safety and security industry. As a former agent hired after the devastating embassy bombings in Beirut and Kuwait in ‘84 and ‘85, tragedy has forced lots of changes, mostly…
Read MoreGuest Post: Protective Intelligence within Executive Protection
As threats in the world become more resourceful, diverse, and determined along their pathways to violence or to inflict harm, executive protection (EP) practitioners must increasingly shoulder a heavier burden. It is no longer acceptable for protection managers and their consumers (protectees – those being protected) to rely on the reactionary expertise and capabilities of the…
Read MoreFormer CIA Special Agent Shares Perspective on the Timeless Practice of Executive Protection
In this episode In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Mike Trott, former CIA special agent and seasoned international security expert, to explore the timeless craft of protection. They discuss how the principles of close protection have remained constant, even as threats, tools, and tactics have evolved. Mike reflects on lessons learned from his…
Read MoreA Call for Change in Physical Security
Fred Burton’s article was originally featured in Dark Reading. We’re at an inflection point. The threats we face are dynamic, emerging, and global. Are you ready? Despite dedicating the majority of my life to protective intelligence in the private and public sectors, I still find it hard to believe when I see companies that have…
Read MoreThe Patterns Behind Mass Shootings and the Creation of The Violence Project
We all have events or situations in our childhood that shape who we are today. While many are uplifting, there are less fortunate people who encountered childhood trauma, setting them off track to commit some of the most upsetting crimes. Dr. Jillian Peterson, President and Co-Founder of The Violence Project, has dedicated her career to…
Read MoreHow to Identify Those Who Pose a Threat from Those Who Make a Threat
In this on-demand webinar with WAVR-21, you’ll learn how to distinguish those who pose a threat from those who make a threat, including why it’s important to:
Read MoreAn Effective Protective Intelligence Investigation: Unraveling the Michigan Plot
Protection personnel rarely see a roadmap into a plot to kidnap or kill. The aspirational plot to kidnap the governors of Michigan and Virginia shed light on pre-operational activities that are instructive for protection personnel. While many plots are disrupted by law enforcement authorities, protection professionals must use the lessons learned in these cases to…
Read MoreBrad Thor on Why Protection Officers Should Read Fiction
Sometimes it takes telling a stranger about a goal to make yourself accountable to follow through. For many, this will translate into the last time you trained for a 5K or marathon. For a very select few, it means committing to a career as a writer that will progress into being a New York Times…
Read MoreHow to Identify Those Who Pose a Threat From Those Who Make a Threat
Searching for threats that are made with violent intent from the thousands of threats that are made every day can often amount to searching for a needle in a haystack. Limited resources mean that threat assessors must be able to identify the factors and warning signs of a potentially serious risk without escalating non-threatening concerns.…
Read MoreThe Case Files: Gabrielle Dee Giffords, Former U.S. Representative
In this blog series, we explore historical events to teach us what pre-incident indicators were present to decrease the chance of bad things from 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. Within this Case File,…
Read MoreSeeing Around Corners with Walmart’s Former General Counsel
In this episode In this episode, Fred sits down with Tom Mars, Former General Counsel of Walmart and Ontic Advisory Board Member, to discuss the critical relationship between corporate security and legal functions in reducing company liability. Tom reflects on his time at Walmart, emphasizing the importance of breaking down silos and fostering open communication…
Read MoreWrong Place Wrong Time: Protective Intelligence While Working Overseas
Understanding global protective intelligence risks is essential to understanding your overall global threat assessment. Knowing who may be “dragging” a threat to your meeting is critical. Nation-State intelligence services exist to steal secrets — even yours. It’s no secret that the world is a dangerous place. Organizations with international operations and executives traveling abroad face…
Read MoreHow the Kidnapping of Exxon’s President Forever Changed Executive Protection
In this episode Even in the safest suburbs, high net worth individuals face heightened risks, as exemplified by the 1992 kidnapping of Sidney Reso, President of Exxon International. In this episode, Fred interviews author Philip Jett to uncover the harrowing details of Reso’s abduction, the $18 million ransom demand, and the two-month investigation that followed.…
Read MoreImplications of Domestic Violence for Corporate Security in the COVID-19 Era
Domestic violence is becoming a growing concern for corporations as more and more employees work remotely. According to several research studies (including In Homeland Security, 2020), domestic violence is thought to have increased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic. This statistic not only impacts family relationships but extends to social networks and economic success within…
Read MoreThe Fifth Third Bank Shooting and the Rise of Whitney/Strong
What goes through your mind, and what would you do if you walk into an active shooter situation as you enter the building where you work? Was there anything you saw that could have helped you understand or avoid the situation? How do you receive help or escape without putting yourself at greater risk? In…
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