Inside the Surge of Targeted Attacks: What It Means for Executive Protection

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.

In this episode, Manish speaks with Michael Civitano, Senior Security Manager of Intelligence and GSOC at ServiceNow, about transforming incident management from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience. They unpack how modern GSOCs can streamline incident detection and response through simplified processes, empowered teams, and the strategic use of AI. The discussion also explores how collaboration, adaptability, and data-driven forecasting elevate incident management from an operational function to a vital business enabler.What you'll learn:How to reimagine incident management as an enterprise-wide risk strategy rather than a siloed security processPractical ways to enhance response speed and decision-making through automation, clear playbooks, and human-centered leadershipLessons from real-world crises on staying flexible, maintaining communication, and building trusted cross-functional relationships that drive resilienceLearn more about Ontic's Incident Management solution here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Dr. Farhad Tajali joins host Manish to explore how AI and data analytics are transforming the future of security. From video analytics that can detect weapons and suspicious behavior to uncovering hidden patterns in access control and incident data, Dr. Tajali explains why these tools are now mission-critical. The conversation also digs into the cultural and knowledge gaps that keep teams from using data effectively — and how leaders can build confidence, create a metrics-driven mindset, and prepare their organizations for a future where technology and human judgment work hand in hand.You'll learn:How Dr. Tajali applies AI and data analytics to strengthen security programs and uncover threat patternsWhy confidence, training, and leadership expectations are essential for building data-driven security teamsPractical steps security professionals can take today to integrate metrics and technology into their daily operationsTake the survey, The State of Data Analytics in Physical Security: Adoption, Challenges & Opportunities, here: https://bit.ly/3WiPpCM

Rachel Briggs, CEO of The Clarity Factory, joins us again on the Connected Intelligence Podcast to share findings from The Clarity Factory's Annual CSO Survey, proudly sponsored by Ontic. We explore how security leaders can break silos, tackle insider risk, and adapt to the rapidly evolving threat landscape. She highlights the growing need for cross-functional partnerships, the rising urgency around insider risk, and the expanding role of AI in security operations. Briggs also explains the importance of storytelling as a leadership skill to connect with the C-suite and demonstrate the value of corporate security.You'll learn:How security leaders can use storytelling to influence executives and secure resources Practical strategies for building effective insider risk programsWhere CSOs are finding real value with AI todayYou can download The Clarity Factory's Annual CSO Survey here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode of Ontic's Connected Intelligence Podcast, Jake Williams and Robin Miller share how their Navy backgrounds shaped the founding of Fortified Risk Group and their unique approach to integrating digital and physical security. They discuss the evolution of corporate security, from intelligence-driven threat assessments to proactive risk mitigation strategies tailored for today’s dynamic threat landscape. Listen in for insights into leadership, preparedness, and the importance of upstream thinking in safeguarding organizations and executives. You'll learn:How Jake and Robin reverse-engineer military strategies into practical corporate security measures that protect clients across industriesWhy integrating digital intelligence with physical protection is critical for closing security gaps and staying ahead of emerging threatsLeadership lessons from Navy SEAL experience, including the importance of people-first decision-making and practicing proactive, high-stress scenario planningIf you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode, Fred sits down with Scott McHugh, a veteran of both federal service and Fortune 100 security leadership, to explore what the public and private sectors can learn from each other. They dive into how public-sector urgency, mission focus, and intelligence practices can strengthen corporate programs—and how the private sector’s agility, innovation, and risk tolerance can enhance federal preparedness. The discussion also addresses critical infrastructure threats, the shortcomings of public-private partnerships, and the potential for AI to bridge operational silos across sectors.You'll learn:How public-sector intelligence practices can elevate private securityWhy federal agencies struggle to match the private sector’s tech agilityWhat’s missing in public-private security partnerships—and how to fix itSign up for our monthly newsletter here.If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.

In this episode, host Manish Mehta speaks with Rachel Briggs, CEO and Co-Founder of The Clarity Factory, about the critical importance of holistic security in modern organizations. They explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating physical and cybersecurity functions, emphasizing the need for effective partnerships and leadership to achieve operational resilience. Rachel shares insights from her research, including a practical maturity model designed to help organizations navigate and implement holistic security strategies.You'll learn:Why integrating physical and cybersecurity is essential for operational resilience and how it can address modern threats more effectivelyActionable advice on starting conversations, overcoming cultural barriers, and fostering collaboration between security functionsReal-world examples of organizations successfully implementing holistic security and the transformative impact it has on their operationsLearn more in Ontic Resources.Resources mentioned in this episode:Holistic Security reportHolistic Security Maturity AssessmentThe Clarity Factory newsletter