Inside Cold Zero: Brad Thor on Intelligence Operations Gone Wrong

What does it take to lead security operations at the highest levels—from protecting U.S. diplomats overseas to safeguarding a global financial institution? In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Jim Bacigalupo, former Diplomatic Security Service leader and current corporate security executive, to discuss the transition from government security operations to the private sector. Jim shares lessons from managing large-scale embassy security programs, building modern GSOCs, and navigating the evolving risk landscape inside global financial institutions. The conversation explores the role of intelligence, technology, and leadership in proactive security programs—and why the human factor still matters most. You'll learn:  • How government security experience translates into corporate security leadership  • What “good” looks like in a modern GSOC and intelligence program  • Why effective security programs combine technology with strong human analysis Learn more in Ontic Resources. If you're enjoying the show, take a minute to rate and review.

In this episode, Manish sits down with Raju Bhatia, Chief Security Officer at Regions Bank. With more than 25 years of experience — including two decades with the FBI and senior corporate security leadership at Bank of America — Raj shares how his career evolved from federal investigations to leading intelligence-driven security programs in the private sector. He unpacks what it takes to move from reactive response to proactive prevention, how to break down silos in large organizations, and why duty of care must be embedded into business strategy — not treated as a standalone function. You’ll learn: How to transition from reactive security to an intelligence-led, proactive model that mitigates incidents before they escalate What it takes to influence up, across, and down — and speak the language of the business as a modern CSO How to build a culture of safety and duty of care that protects people, brand, and enterprise value in today’s dynamic threat environment Similar episodes: Strengthening Financial Services Against Evolving Threats: Insights from Bert Oliveira Positioning Security as a Business Enabler: Strategies for Success with Jeremy Baumann Inside the Adversary Mindset: Building Smarter Protection in a Connected World If you're enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

Fred Burton sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor to discuss his latest thriller, Cold Zero. Centered on a CIA extraction gone wrong in the Arctic Circle, the novel explores the realities of modern intelligence operations, global competition, and high-stakes decision-making under extreme pressure. Thor shares the real-world inspiration behind the book, his collaboration with former fighter pilot Ward Larson to ensure operational accuracy, and how today’s fragmented threat environment shaped the story’s geopolitical tensions. The conversation also examines the human element of intelligence work — from trust between allies to making critical calls without complete information.You'll learn:How real-world intelligence tradecraft and CIA extraction operations inspired Cold ZeroWhat happens when intelligence operations go wrong — and how leaders make decisions with incomplete informationWhy trust between partners is the foundation of effective connected intelligence in today’s threat landscapeSign up for our monthly newsletter here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

Manish Mehta sits down with Wayman Cummings, Chief Information Security Officer at Ochsner Health, to explore what cyber-physical security convergence really looks like in practice. Wayman shares how his unconventional path into cybersecurity shaped his leadership style and his perspective on risk in high-stakes environments like healthcare. The conversation dives into insider risk, the role of AI as augmented intelligence, and why most physical threats today begin with digital reconnaissance. Wayman also challenges the idea that convergence is a myth, offering real-world examples of how teams, technology, and trust must come together to make it work. You'll learn: Why convergence fails without people and process alignment Why AI should augment human judgment, not replace it, in security operations How leaders can build credibility, break down silos, and scale security impact in high-risk environments If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

Host Fred Burton sits down with Jeremy Baumann, CEO and founder of Corporate Security Advisors, to explore what it truly means to build high-performing, business-aligned security programs. Drawing on three decades of experience across law enforcement, corporate security, and consulting, Jeremy shares how security leaders can move beyond being seen as a cost center and instead become trusted enablers of business success. Their conversation dives into intelligence-led security, crisis readiness, resilience, and the business acumen today’s CSOs need to thrive in an increasingly complex risk environment.What you'll learn:How to position corporate security as a business enabler that reduces risk while minimizing frictionWhat separates “paper plans” from truly crisis-ready and resilient organizationsWhy intelligence, business fluency, and learning to say yes are critical skills for the next generation of security leadersSign up for our newsletter here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Rich Davis, former Chief Security Officer of United Airlines, to explore the evolution of aviation security and what it takes to manage risk at a truly global scale. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Rich shares how collaboration, intelligence sharing, and a strong duty of care mindset have reshaped airline security—and why relationships across the private sector and government remain critical to preventing the next crisis.You'll Learn:How aviation security has evolved in response to global threats and regulatory changeWhy collaboration and trusted relationships are foundational to effective risk managementWhat “duty of care” looks like in practice for organizations with globally mobile workforcesSign up for our newsletter here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

Host Fred Burton reunites with longtime colleague Scott Stewart, Vice President of Protective Intelligence at Torchstone Global, to unpack the evolving landscape of executive protection. Drawing on recent high-profile attacks and their own book, The Protective Intelligence Advantage, they explore how threat actors operate, what today’s organizations often overlook, and why simple, time-tested security fundamentals still matter in a technology-driven world. Scott highlights the critical gaps in understanding pre-operational surveillance, digital exhaust, and target selection. Together, they unravel the growing need for protective intelligence programs that blend human expertise with modern tools. What You’ll Learn:Why recent attacks signal a shift in executive protection and the rising importance of protective intelligenceHow pre-operational surveillance, behavioral cues, and digital exhaust reveal attackers’ methodsWhy simple, foundational security practices remain essential even as new technologies transform the fieldLearn more in Ontic Resources here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

On this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Manish Mehta sits down with Chris Wingfield, SVP of Innovations at 360Privacy, to explore the evolving landscape of digital targeting and executive protection. Chris shares how his background in intelligence and signals analysis informs his approach to building proactive, AI-driven cyber threat programs that reduce attack surfaces for high-risk individuals and organizations. Together, they unpack the convergence of physical, digital, and cyber security—and why understanding attacker playbooks is essential to getting ahead of modern threats. You'll Learn:How adversaries use AI and publicly available data to rapidly map a target’s digital footprintWhy convergence across physical, cyber, and digital security functions is critical to reducing overall riskReal-world examples of everyday behaviors that unintentionally expose executives and how teams can build proactive, scalable programs to mitigate themTo learn more about our partner program, please contact [email protected] you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show. 

In this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Jim McConnell shares insights from more than three decades in corporate and critical infrastructure security, exploring the evolution of converged security and safety metrics. Together with Manish, he discusses how organizations can move beyond silos to create unified, data-driven security strategies that strengthen both safety and operational resilience. The conversation also dives into the cultural and practical aspects of launching effective metrics programs and how AI will influence the future of security measurement and decision-making.You'll learn:The difference between security and safety metrics—and why both are essential for creating environments where people truly feel safeHow to build a culture of accountability around data by focusing on ownership, simplicity, and readiness before launching a metrics programWays AI can serve as a force multiplier for security professionals, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making across converged environmentsLearn more in Ontic Resources.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode, host Fred Burton and co-host Cindy Marble sit down with Michael Evanoff, CSO at Verkada, to discuss his remarkable career spanning corporate security and diplomatic protection. Evanoff reflects on his experiences at the U.S. Department of State and in the private sector, sharing lessons on leadership, collaboration, and adapting protective strategies across diverse environments. The conversation also explores how modern technologies like AI and cloud-based video systems are revolutionizing threat detection and proactive protection across industries. You'll learn:How Evanoff applied lessons from decades in diplomatic and corporate security to improve collaboration and risk management across organizationsWhy technologies like cloud-based surveillance and AI-driven analytics are game changers for identifying pre-incident behaviors and enhancing real-time situational awarenessWhat the concept of Connected Intelligence means in today’s world of integrated securityLearn more in Ontic Resources.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.