Former CIA Special Agent Shares Perspective on the Timeless Practice of Executive Protection
The concept of close protection has been around since the beginning of mankind. When villages knew a threat was approaching, they designated one person (or a small group) to step forward and protect the community. While the field of protection (the resources, technology, and types of threats) has evolved dramatically, the craft of keeping people…
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 MoreWhat is “Protective Intelligence?”
To the security intelligence analyst plugging away in a 24-hour operations center, protective intelligence is one thing. To the security consultant with an MA or MS in psychology, protective intelligence means something else.And to the United States Department of Justice or the U.S. Secret Service, it takes on another meaning. While the term protective intelligence…
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 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 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 Evolutionary Arc of Technology in Protection
In this 20-minute video, Fred shares:
Read MoreSee. More. Clearly: How Asteroids Help Inform Protective Intelligence
Watch this 20-minute video to learn more about how companies can:
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…
Read MoreTerminations & Layoffs: Understanding & Preparing for Ex-Employee Backlash
Threat fatigue has become the norm. Planning and coordination are key to job actions. What is your duty of care? Some employees can come back with a vengeance. What key considerations should stakeholders make during the process? Violence in society and the workplace has become so common that it becomes a blur for many, creating…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Hostile Planning Process to Establish a More Powerful Security Position
In this episode, Fred and Ami Toben discuss the hostile planning process and how to isolate and target vulnerabilities in order to prevent it from getting to the execution phase. They also discuss the finer points of detection and observation as well as the available training from HighCom Security including hostile activity prevention, executive protection,…
Read MoreCognitive Traps and the Mindset of a Successful Protective Intelligence Analyst
In this episode, Fred and Carmen discuss what it takes to build an Intelligence program and what she looks for in an Analyst. Carmen shares her stories of dealing with leaders, falling into cognitive traps and what it means when we sometimes ‘get it wrong’. Carmen Medina is a thirty two year veteran of the…
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