THE INTEL ROOM

Introduction High-profile executives and business leaders today are facing an uptick in targeted threats, ranging from stalking to fatal attacks. The recent kidnapping of WonderFi’s CEO, the assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, and the stalking incident involving Apple’s CEO all highlight the serious threats executives face both at work and at home. Beyond the fear, physical harm, and unfortunate loss of life, such incidents can inflict severe financial and reputational harm on the organizations, causing disruptions in leadership, shareholder confidence, and overall business operations. These recent high-profile incidents have highlighted a sobering truth: high-profile executives and business leaders are increasingly under threat. These unsettling cases are prompting more organizations to reassess the importance of an Executive Protection Program (EP) —a program designed to protect executives, mitigate risks, and safeguard their personal well-being regardless of their whereabouts. The benefits of Executive Protection measure far beyond traditional security. A well-trained EP Agent functions as an extension of your existing team, streamlining travel arrangements, and reducing scheduling complications, so executives can focus on what they do best without unnecessary interruptions. Background: An Evolving Risk Landscape The modern world brings unprecedented access to information and widespread visibility of public figures, which magnifies potential threats—from disgruntled former employees to opportunistic criminals. The Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence conducted a survey of more than 300 senior executives and found that between 2003-2021, there were 206 total reported incidents against senior leaders – 86% of them being physical attacks. The potential fallout includes not just personal harm but business disruption, damaged brand reputation and potential legal liabilities. At least 33% of these senior leaders, did not have executive protection personnel present at the time of the attack ( Ontic, 2021 ). While these cases are extreme, they illustrate the kinds of risks executives consistently face. Heightened Vulnerabilities for C-Level Executives Most CEO’s do not want security for a myriad of reasons. From undercutting their reputation, being bad for business or simply finding it unnecessary, security doesn’t take precedence. The reality is these individuals typically manage medium to large scale organizations and hold valuable intellectual property and assets. The nature of their work, their profile, and their personal wealth all make them prime targets for: Physical attacks Kidnapping and ransom attempts Cyberstalking and harassment In November 2024, the CEO of the Canadian crypto firm Wonderfi, Dean Skurka, was kidnapped in broad daylight, held for ransom, only to be released unharmed upon having the ransom paid ( CBC, 2024 ). But cases like this one are becoming increasingly common as we live in an age of digital information. Details such as where a CEO works from, has lunch or a drink, is open-source knowledge for those who know where to look. Criminals are getting smarter at tracking their targets, understanding their lifestyle, before carrying out their attacks. The next critical step for organizations is to turn these insights into actionable strategies—namely, the core elements of an executive protection program.

In North America, major professional sports leagues like MLB, NBA, and NHL games draw millions of fans each season, creating thrilling atmospheres, anticipation, and excitement that brings communities together. But beyond the scoreboard and excitement lies an unseen team of security professionals dedicated to protecting the fan experience and personal safety. One critical aspect of a physical security strategy is Open-Source Intelligence, or OSINT, which plays a key role in protecting large-scale events.