Physical security trailblazers at Department of Defense, SIGMA Threat Management Associates, Electronic Arts (EA), Palo Alto Networks and Unisys among recipients

AUSTIN, June 22, 2021 – In further recognition of the pioneers and thought leaders who have driven new shifts and novel practices, development of innovative solutions, and are contributing to, influencing and advancing the physical security and protection industry, the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence today announced 11 new “Protective Intelligence Honors” recipients.

Those recognized as “Protective Intelligence Honors” Pioneers, experts who developed or established new physical protection models, methods of protective knowledge, innovated a protection solution or drove shifts in thinking or approach to protection include:

Marisa R. Randazzo, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, SIGMA Threat Management Associates LLC – SIGMA provides threat assessment training and consulting for school shootings, targeted violence and protective intelligence investigations. Randazzo was with the U.S. Secret Service for a decade, most recently as Chief Research Psychologist, co-directing the Safe School Initiative, the landmark federal study of school shootings conducted jointly with the U.S. Department of Education. She has testified as a subject matter expert before Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, served as a reviewer for the White House’s federal Guides to High Quality Emergency Plans (for schools, higher education institutions, houses of worship), and as a member of the American Psychological Association’s Expert Panel on Preventing Gun Violence. She currently serves as Director of Threat Assessment for Georgetown University.

Tony Scotti, Founder, International Security Driver Association (IDSA) – For nearly half a century Scotti has trained corporations, governments, law enforcement agencies and military organizations in over 40 countries to avoid vehicle violence. Combining his knowledge of science (he holds a B.S. in Engineering from Northeastern University) and vehicle dynamics with firsthand experience conducting real-world security operations in moderate and high-risk locales worldwide, Scotti created a mathematical model for vehicle attacks. He founded IDSA to support the advancement of professional security drivers and other protection practitioners with data-driven research and other professional development tools.

Gabrielle Thompson, PI, CPP, Vice President, Threat Assessment, Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) – An expert in threat assessment, Thompson is a trusted security advisor on safety and privacy issues to hundreds of GDBA clients, including at-risk individuals, families, and enterprises. She has personally assessed and managed thousands of cases of inappropriate pursuit, threats, and harassment, including workplace violence, domestic violence, and public figure/executive pursuit. She has developed and overseen the threat assessment programs for public figures and billionaire executives, and also conducts audits of corporate threat assessment programs and policies. Thompson has served on the development teams for several MOSAIC systems, a GDBA computer-assisted method for conducting assessments of situations that might escalate to violence, including MOSAICs for public figure pursuit, workplace violence, domestic violence, threats by students, and threats to judges.

“Protective Intelligence Honors” Thought Leaders, veteran practitioners and established experts in the field who are actively contributing to and advancing protective intelligence industry knowledge and careers include:

• Wayman Cummings, Vice President, Security Operations, Unisys Corporation;
• Denida Grow, Managing Partner, LeMareschal LLC
• Stephanie Jaros, Director of Research, Department of Defense Counter-Insider Threat Program;
• Justin Lamb, Senior Manager, Global Security Operations, Electronic Arts;
• Nabih Numair, Senior Manager, Security Training, Awareness, and Partnerships, Palo Alto Networks;
• Charles Randolph, Senior Director of Operations and Intelligence, AT Risk International;
• Maria A. Robson, PhD Candidate, Northeastern University;
• Lewis Sage-Passant, Doctoral Researcher, Loughborough University;

“As we have witnessed a rise in mass shootings and violence as well as cyber-physical incidents in the first half of 2021, the need for physical security and protective intelligence to mitigate threats has never been more crucial,” said Fred Burton, Executive Director of the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence. “These esteemed honorees and what they have achieved throughout their illustrious careers sets a precedent for the entire security industry, and their dedication to innovation and progress, especially in challenging times, is commendable.”

The Protective Intelligence Honors is a program that recognizes Pioneers and Thought Leaders in physical security who are selected by a committee of experts at the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence. To date, 24 individuals have been named as honorees. To learn more or nominate a Pioneer or Thought Leader, visit ProtectiveIntelligenceHonors.com.

About the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence
The Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence provides strategic consulting, multidimensional services and resources for safety and security, legal, risk and compliance professionals at major corporations across multiple industry sectors including financial services, technology, retail, entertainment and consumer products. Through its initiatives, global industry experts and authorities in protective intelligence share best practices, insights on current and historical trends, and explore lessons learned from physical security peers. The Center is led by Fred Burton, one of the world’s foremost experts on security and counterterrorism. A former police officer, special agent and New York Times best-selling author, Burton has served on the front lines of high-profile investigations including the hunt for and arrest of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the first World Trade Center bombing. For more information please visit ontic.co/center

About Ontic
Ontic is the first protective intelligence software company to digitally transform how Fortune 500 and emerging enterprises proactively address physical threat management to protect employees, customers and assets. Ontic’s SaaS-based platform collects and connects threat indicators to provide a comprehensive view of potential threats while surfacing critical knowledge so companies can assess and action more to maintain business continuity and reduce financial impact. Ontic also provides strategic consulting, multidimensional services, education and thought leadership for safety and security professionals at major corporations via its Center for Protective Intelligence. For more information please visit ontic.co