How to Stay Ahead of the Threat Curve: The New Realities of Executive Protection

Over the past several decades in the security industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand how threats against executives have evolved. Yet the intensity and sophistication of what we’re seeing today mark a profound shift. The United States is facing a dangerous combination of political polarization, online radicalization, and digitally networked threat-sharing, which has elevated the risk profile for both political leaders and corporate executives.

Tragically, we’ve seen this volatility translate into violence. The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO, the murder of a Minnesota state senator and her husband, and the recent killing of Charlie Kirk remind us that hostile actors don’t just post online; some follow through. These incidents are prompting organizations to reassess their approach to protecting their leadership.

More companies are shifting away from reactive security measures toward preventive, intelligence-driven models. Executive protection today isn’t just about a detail escorting a CEO from car to boardroom. It’s a dynamic system of physical protection, real-time intelligence monitoring, threat detection, and resiliency planning that must adapt on an hourly basis. As leaders, we must be clear-eyed: we are entering a new era of executive security.

Understanding the Indicators of Elevated Risk

An effective executive protection program starts with clarity about what should trigger a heightened security posture. Risk doesn’t always come in the form of an explicit threat; often, it’s the accumulation of subtle signals.

The first signs almost always appear online. Direct or implied threats on social platforms, harassment campaigns, doxxing incidents, or the circulation of personal details in extremist spaces demand immediate attention. One-off insults may not merit escalation, but persistence, coordination, or amplification across multiple forums is a red flag.

Travel is another critical factor. High-profile public events, international trips, and visits to regions experiencing unrest require layered security planning. Even routine trips can become vulnerable if an itinerary changes unexpectedly or attracts media attention.

Finally, intelligence from vetted sources, whether internal monitoring or information shared with law enforcement, remains essential. If surveillance is detected near an executive’s home, or if their name surfaces repeatedly in hostile forums, it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when” to escalate. Mature organizations codify these thresholds, empowering teams to scale resources as soon as warning signs emerge.

Securing Events Under Elevated Risk

Public appearances remain among the most complex scenarios for executive protection teams. When an executive is at elevated risk, event planning must shift from routine logistics to deliberate, layered defense.

Venue selection is the first line of defense. A thorough advance, including physical inspections, identifies choke points, emergency exits, and potential blind spots. Whenever possible, perimeters should be controlled with credentialed entry, pre-registration, and weapons detection. Experienced staff trained to recognize hostile intent can serve as a force multiplier.

Sightlines are equally critical. Executives should be placed in secure, controlled positions, shielded by barriers or screens from uncontrolled spaces. Camera angles and lighting can be managed to reduce exposure.

Route security demands redundancy. Staggered arrivals, varied exit routes, and advance teams verifying every waypoint are no longer optional—they’re operational standards. Throughout the event, a dedicated command post should monitor threats in real-time, with contingency plans in place for everything from medical emergencies to protests.

The goal is not to isolate executives from their constituents or employees but to create a flexible, resilient shield that minimizes exposure while allowing business to continue.

Reinforcing the Executive Office

The corporate office is often overlooked as a risk environment, but insider threats and workplace violence remain persistent challenges. A modern executive office requires layered, technology-enabled controls.

Biometrics, keycard access, and time-based restrictions should form the baseline. Visitor credentials should be temporary, self-expiring, and logged—always accompanied by escorts. Weapons detection and bag screening help close gaps that bad actors might exploit.

But technology alone isn’t enough. Employee training is vital. Staff must understand how to recognize and report suspicious behavior. Confidential reporting channels and multidisciplinary threat assessment teams—whether in-house or outsourced—ensure no warning sign is dismissed.

The principle of “least privilege” should guide access permissions, with regular audits of badge holders. Coupled with continuous digital monitoring and surveillance integration, these measures reduce the likelihood that an insider, whether coerced or not, can exploit their proximity to the executive.

Spotting Radicalization and Insider Coercion

One of the most complex challenges we face is detecting staff radicalization or coercion before it becomes a threat to operational effectiveness. Here, observation, technology, and culture must work together.

Warning signs often appear in behavior: abrupt changes in demeanor, hostility, isolation, fixation on grievances, or sudden fascination with extremist ideologies. When legally permissible, monitoring digital footprints, such as the sharing of extremist content or sudden shifts in communication, can help identify potential risks.

Confidential reporting channels are key. Employees must know they can raise concerns without fear of reprisal. Once a problem is flagged, trained threat assessment teams should investigate discreetly, coordinating with HR and, when necessary, law enforcement.

Equally important is creating a workplace culture that promotes engagement and support. Disengaged or alienated employees are more vulnerable to coercion. Strong social support systems and regular managerial check-ins act as a preventative layer, reducing the appeal of radicalization in the first place.

Lessons From Tragedy

Last year’s tragedies have left indelible lessons for executive protection professionals.

First, prevention must be constant. Security can no longer be a background function switched on for board meetings and public speeches. Executives are at risk in their homes, at family gatherings, and even during routine travel. Holistic programs now extend protection to families, private residences, and digital footprints.

Second, partnerships matter. No corporate security team can handle this landscape alone. More organizations are outsourcing to trusted providers that offer real-time threat analysis, AI-powered risk detection, and scalable protective resources. This allows in-house teams to focus on leadership and strategy while leveraging external expertise for tactical execution.

Third, communication is non-negotiable. Law enforcement, corporate security, private providers, and even peer organizations are increasingly collaborating. Real-time intelligence sharing, scenario planning, and mutual aid agreements are becoming standard practice.

Ultimately, digital risk has evolved into physical risk. The industry around executive data removal, digital monitoring, and online exposure management is booming—and rightly so. What happens online rarely stays online. A hostile actor with an executive’s personal address or travel plans can weaponize that information in seconds.

The Way Forward

The new era of executive protection demands adaptability, foresight, and relentless coordination. As security leaders, we can’t afford to view protection as a static program or a checkbox on a risk management plan. It’s a living system that evolves with every news cycle, every public event, and every online post.

At Pinkerton, we’ve built our approach on one core principle: staying ahead of the threat curve. That means investing in intelligence, integrating technology with human expertise, building trusted partnerships, and never losing sight of the human factor—because behind every protective program is not just an executive, but their families, their employees, and the organization’s reputation.

Executive protection in 2025 isn’t about paranoia. It’s about preparation. It’s about equipping leaders with the freedom to do their jobs in a world where threats are more visible, more networked, and more dangerous than ever before.

As security executives, our responsibility is clear: to see the risk before it becomes a headline.