Episodes
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On this episode, we welcome Lou Silvestris from American Family Insurance, a seasoned expert who leads the Risk Intelligence and Investigations Team in the Protective Services Division. Lou brings a wealth of experience, having proactively managed and mitigated widespread global risks and threats to the organization. His impressive background spans several multinational companies, and his experience has been pivotal in various organizations’ strategic decision-making processes. Tune in as Lou shares anecdotes from his distinguished career, discusses the evolution of risk intelligence, and the impact of technology on modern investigative practices.
Lou candidly shares his transition from federal agencies, such as the CIA and Department of Homeland Security, to the private sector. He dives into the unique challenges he faced and the lessons learned along the way. For those contemplating a similar shift, Lou offers practical advice, drawing on his deep understanding of intelligence work. He also discusses with Chuck his perspectives on current challenges within the field, actionable tips for establishing or revitalizing security programs, and a forecast for the future of intelligence and investigations.
Tune in to this episode to hear:
Lou's extensive background in global risk management from both federal agencies and the private sectorActionable strategies for individuals transitioning from government intelligence roles to corporate security positionsCurrent challenges in the field of intelligence and investigations and how technology helps manage and mitigate these risks -
Hosts Fred Burton, Chuck Randolph, and Dr. Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D. unpack recent discussions they've had on the Protective Intelligence Podcast and what they are seeing in the world of security. Enjoy an unfiltered conversation of their observations and invaluable insights from the past few weeks.
Key topics of this discussion include:
Women's History Month: They discuss the all-female podcast guests hosted last month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Dr. Charity Dean, Cheryl Dick, Wendy Bashnan, and Anna Lepingwell in the security space.The Biotech Frontier: Listen in as the hosts discuss the world of biosecurity, highlighting parts of the recent episode with Dr. Charity Dean to understand its critical role in today's global landscape.Dissect Global Security Strategy: Hear insights from Anna Lepingwell's conversation on her extensive experience and knowledge of navigating global security challenges.Havana Syndrome: A recent 60 Minutes report suggested possible sonic or directed energy weapon attacks first reported by US Embassy staff in Cuba in 2016. The debrief explores this dilemma through the lens of international diplomacy and national security and shares the next steps in investigating Havana Syndrome.Sonic Wave Attacks: On the same note, the hosts dive into the recent attacks on American diplomats. They discuss the potential implications for US-Russia relations.Stay tuned for the next CCI debrief, and contact us at [email protected] if there are any questions or topics you would like the team to address.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode of the Women Who Protect series, Marisa is joined by Wendy Bashnan, the Director of Security and Fire Protection at Scout Motors, Inc., and a returning guest on the Protective Intelligence Podcast, to discuss the foundational elements of a robust security program. This time, Wendy joins us on an episode of Women Who Protect to share her journey from government service to her current role as she explains the vital role of communication skills and adaptability in the security realm. Wendy and Marisa also dive into the paradigm shift within security, moving from performance metrics to focusing on effectiveness and impact.
With over thirty years of experience in risk management, Wendy offers her knowledge on developing a security-conscious culture that fosters strategic alliances and aligns with the organization's primary objectives. With a distinguished background in law enforcement, investigations, and the development of intelligence-driven security strategies on a global scale, Wendy explains the intricate balance between safeguarding assets and supporting corporate growth.
Tune in to this episode to hear:
The difference in risk tolerance and risk appetite changing from public sector to private sector (and to startups)Tactics for enhancing security budgets by garnering cross-functional support across the businessCritical steps for embedding security as a cornerstone of the organizational structure by exhibiting their strategic significanceAdvice for women and girls interested in careers in security and protection.Take a look at Wendy's previous episode here.
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CEO and Founder of PHC Global, Dr. Charity Dean, is a distinguished physician, former government official, and a trailblazer in the field of biosecurity intelligence. Having built her career around her passion for fighting biological threats, Dr. Dean takes us through her journey, shedding light on the challenges and achievements that have defined her career. As the CEO and Founder of PHC Global, she discusses her experiences navigating the complex landscapes of public health emergencies and the inspiration behind her leap into the startup world to address critical gaps in biosecurity intelligence.
Dr. Dean and host, Chuck Randolph, do a deep dive on the intersection of leadership, technology, and strategy in the fight against biothreats. She explains the need for shared situational awareness to manage risks more effectively while evaluating the current capacities and future trajectory of the field. Through her insights, we get a glimpse at the significant decisions and cutting-edge innovations that are shaping our resilience against biological risks. Tune in as Dr. Dean enlightens us not only about the precautions we should take but also the potential for groundbreaking solutions in safeguarding global health.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
The evolution and significance of biosecurity in enterprise risk and the importance of strengthening shared situational awareness.Insights on the integration of AI and machine learning in biosecurity, and the balancing act between biotech advancements and their inherent risks.The guiding principles of courage and leadership during crises, emphasizing the importance of decisiveness and collaborative problem-solving in uncertain times.Connect with Dr. Charity Dean on LinkedIn.
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In this episode of Women Who Protect, host Dr. Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D., sits down with Anna Lepingwell, the Vice President for Global Operations at Exlog Global. Based in London and part of the robust European contingent of the company, Anna brings her extensive expertise to the fore, discussing the intricate world of risk management security practices.
Anna shares her journey from university to the security sector, detailing a career securing organizations against threats. Anna highlights day-to-day responsibilities and insights on crisis response, emphasizing preparedness and technology-human balance. Anna empowers women in security - and anyone seeking a career in security - with mentorship advice and industry foresight, offering practical wisdom for listeners seeking global security insights.
Whether you're an aspiring security professional, a seasoned analyst, or simply a listener eager to understand the complexities behind global security strategies, this episode promises a mix of practical wisdom, industry foresight, and actionable advice. Listen to this episode to learn from the expertise of Anna Lepingwell as she navigates the dynamics of global operations.
Tune in to this episode to hear Lepingwell discuss:
Geopolitical Dynamics and Security: Anna discusses how understanding global political movements is crucial for predicting and mitigating risks in the security sector.Technology in Risk Management: The conversation explores the dual-edged sword of technology in security efforts, emphasizing the need for a synthesis between technological tools and the human element.Mentorship and Professional Growth: Insights into the importance of mentorship, professional networking, and continuous learning for individuals seeking to carve out a successful career in security and risk management.Anna is responsible for providing worldwide capabilities around organizational resilience, protective intelligence, and crisis management to clients and partners. Anna leads a team of risk advisors and other specialists that provide around-the-clock global threat and incident awareness, critical advice, and rapid response to people and organizations as part of dedicated global risk programs. In addition to planning and managing high-threat security or natural disaster evacuations, Anna has extensive experience in assessing risk and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
Prior to joining the Exlog, Anna was the Director of Crisis Management for WorldAware. She speaks German and French and has a BA in International Studies and an MA in International Policy Studies with a Terrorism Studies Specialization from the Monterey Institute for International Studies.
Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
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Cheryl Dick, Senior Director of Enterprise Protection and Travel at Chick-fil-A, began her remarkable career at the age of 16 and has since spearheaded the development of Chick-fil-A's first dedicated security function. With an impressive scope that spans from campus operations and corporate travel, Cheryl is on the frontline of protecting people, assets, and enabling the company's dynamic future through expertly crafted security strategies.
Throughout the conversation, Cheryl shares her experiences of navigating the evolving threat landscape and the criticality of de-escalation training among team members. She also dives into the use of technology, such as creating their first-ever Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), to bolster Chick-fil-A's efficiency and readiness to address potential threats. Her proactive approach to anticipating future threats and conveying the significance of security to stakeholders offers inspiration to both new and seasoned security professionals.
Key topics of Cheryl’s discussion with host Dr. Randazzo include:
The establishment and growth of Chick-fil-A's security functions to meet the demands of a changing world.The adoption of advanced technologies and training to stay ahead of threats and maintain proactive defense mechanisms.Practical advice for aspiring security professionals on the importance of continuous learning and communicating the intrinsic value of security. -
This inaugural episode launches a new development in Ontic’s podcast — The Center for Connected Intelligence (CCI) Debrief. Hosts Fred Burton, Chuck Randolph, and Dr. Marisa Randazzo unpack what they are hearing and seeing in the word of security. Enjoy an unfiltered conversation of their observations and invaluable insights from the past few weeks.
Key topics of this discussion include:
Risk Fatigue from the Global Permacrisis — As the global permacrisis looms overhead, Burton shares the importance of focusing on your specific threat landscape and avoiding the harmful effects of risk fatigue. Randazzo adds how easy it is to miss signals or dismiss things that aren’t so immediate and how we need to support those on the front lines of the crisis.Threat of Disinformation and Misinformation — With the upcoming election cycle later in the year the threat of being misinformed through false headlines is imminent. Randolph shares insights from his recent discussion with Suzanne Kelly at the Cipher Brief on retraining our brains to dive deeper into what we read and always consider the source.Domestic Threat of Election Violence — Randazzo shares insights from her recent article on strategies to prepare organizations for presidential election disruption and Burton shares why evaluating the entire threat continuum is critical to identify individuals who may pose harm to a high profile figure or organization. Lately, this has resulted in an uptick in swatting incidents, and his conversation with Torchstone’s Scott Stewart dives more into this topic.Reevaluate Business Continuity Practices — The hosts stress the importance of thinking through business continuity, what practices are in place, and if they are updated for the current threat landscape. They also share how informing employees of the security measures they are taking goes a long way in creating a culture of trust.The Impact of CA Senate Bill 553 — The law requiring most California employers (and employers who have a presence in California) to take steps to prevent and respond to workplace violence will go into effect July 1, 2024. Randazzo shares how important tracking and quickly accessing relevant data is as this order takes effect. For more information on this topic, check out Ontic’s recent webinar: CA SB 553: What You Need to Know and How to Comply. She also discusses why companies must address the aftermath of incidents and the emotional strain on those impacted in light of her recent discussion with Wendy Bailey, Manager of Capital One’s Threat Management Team.Stay tuned for the next CCI debrief and contact us at [email protected] if there are any questions or topics you would like the team to address.
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Ross Hill, Founder of Insight Forward, returns to the podcast to discuss one of the more prominent crises in our threat landscape today: the attacks in the Red Sea. This conversation dives deeper into his previous discussion with host Chuck Randolph on What Today’s Permacrisis Means for Corporate Security Teams. The episode explores the implications of these attacks on business operations.
Key takeaways from their discussion include:
How the Houthi rebels’ attack on cargo ships disrupts critical trade routes and raises concerns about regional stability and economic impact.The impact on economies and corporations in the regions where the attacks are taking place (and why multinational organizations are caught in the middle)Examples of second and third-order effects of the attacks on the economy and what companies should be looking for in the months ahead.Ross Hill founded Insight Forward to help companies understand how global dynamics directly affect their business. He applies his background leading intelligence analysis for prominent risk management organizations such as AT-RISK International and Pinkerton. He has acquired an in-depth knowledge of core processes, program design, and management, fulfilling senior management positions in global security and risk consultancies, and gaining exposure to renowned multinationals and driving their intelligence needs. He began his career as a Forensic DNA Analyst and Intelligence Analyst for the Metropolitan Police.
Check out Insight Forward’s latest report: Top 10 Geopolitical Risks for Businesses in 2024 and the latest geopolitical news by subscribing to Pestle & Mortar
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It’s no secret that relationships are a foundational element for other areas of the business to understand the value of security. However, to be effective as a function security needs to be connected on a multitude of levels, and relationships need to root deeper than watercooler conversations. Rachel Briggs, CEO and Founder of The Clarity Factory, returns to the podcast to discuss her latest research on what this level of connectedness truly entails and why it’s critical to preventing threats that can often slip through the cracks between functions.
Briggs is a leading expert on security and has advised governments and multinational corporations on security, resilience, terrorism, and responses to extremism. In this episode, she discusses the following topics with host Chuck Randolph:
Why connectedness needs to happen on three distinct levels - within the risk function, within the organization, and between the organization and the outside world.The biggest takeaways (and surprises) from her latest research in collaboration with Ontic and what it means for security professionals.Advice for leaders on implementing organizational changes from the report into their team and why the ability to collaborate cannot be assumed.Check out the Clarity Factory’s latest report (in partnership with Ontic) here: Connected Corporate Security: How to Manage Threats and Risks with a Unified Model.
Briggs has also published reports on empowering diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate security and the business value of security. (Report links included below)
Empowering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In Corporate Security (ASIS)
The Business Value of Corporate Security -
In today’s world, preparing for future crises is not just important, but unavoidable. Security teams bear the responsibility of ensuring business preparedness for unforeseen threats while preventing employee burnout from the continual talk of potential crises. As security leaders, it's crucial to equip organizational leaders with easily understandable data and information. Streamlining communication and avoiding jargon and lengthy explanations fosters a connection between security and business leaders. This partnership is indispensable for the company's success.
Dave Komendat is the founder and President of DSKomendat Risk Management Services. He knows the importance of this partnership from his previous role where he was the Vice President and Chief Security Officer of The Boeing Company. Komendat was responsible for the company’s global security and fire protection policy and procedures, site security, executive protection, supply chain and aviation security, and structural and aircraft fire protection, among many other responsibilities. He also holds board leadership roles with several non-profit organizations whose missions are to protect people globally, including Hostage U.S. and The Security Foundation.
Key topics of Komendat’s discussion with host Chuck Randolph include:
Why no one rewards the identifier of risk and how to position security as a team that not only protects the organization in crisis but prevents it from happening in the first place.The importance of building trust and credibility with business leaders ahead an event so you have their alignment in any gray areas when a decision is made.How being prepared for the nontraditional threats matters and understand how they impact the business.Advice for security professionals early in their careerFollow Dave on
LinkedIn
or reach out to him on his website: https://komendat.com/
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The act of Swatting has been around for years (back in the early 2000s), but an increase in the frequency of calls that are happening and the proliferation of different targets has placed it under the spotlight in recent months. Swatting is the act of placing a hoax call to emergency services with the intention of triggering a swift and intense response. This malicious practice has been increasingly directed towards prominent figures such as politicians, judges, and celebrities. Scott Stewart, Vice President at TorchStone Global, sheds light on why we are seeing more of these events in the headlines and what protection teams can do to prevent them from happening.
Stewart brings 35 years of analytical, investigative, and security experience, including being a member of Michael Dell's executive protection team and serving ten years as a special agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Stewart is a popular speaker on security topics and is frequently interviewed by journalists from leading news outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, and NPR.
Key topics of Stewart’s discussion with host Fred Burton include:
How a swatting event can occur, and what the social media conundrum has to do with it. (hint: It doesn’t happen out of the blue.)Advice for protection teams on mitigating this type of threat and what to look for in terms of early warning signs.Why it’s critical to have strong relationships with authorities at all levels and have an open dialogue so authorities can put context around any calls coming in that target a VIP.For more information, check out Torchstone Global’s article on the topic: Preparing for the Next Swatting Attack
Key takeaways:
03:25: Scott Stewart: Having a good liaison at all levels - state, local, and federal level is critical because you want to have those connections ahead of an event. Obviously, it's much more difficult to make connections in the midst of ah you know of an emergency. So if you give them a little bit of advanced notice — we've got some aggrieved people that are focused on us, or they've doxed us, etc. — it can really help them place the call into context.
10:33: Fred: So if you're that protection team out there with responsibility for the executive crew, you have to make sure that you have a good finger on the pulse.
10:42: Scott Stewart: I mean let's face you you need to have that no matter what threat actor we're talking about — unstable individuals, stalkers, activists, terrorists, criminals. You know we always need to remain alert to all these various threat actors and this is just one more to throw in the hopper.
The good news is it is something that can be foreseen as we follow these grievances, and watch their communications. We see things like doxing denunciation. That allows us to see the progression along the Social Media Threat Continuum. We talk about things like the pathway to violence or the attack cycle, looking at the Social Media Threat Continuum then just gives us a guide that helps us understand where we were where we are in relation to these threat actors.
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As a former CNN Intelligence Correspondent and Executive Producer, Suzanne Kelly knows better than to trust every headline that she reads online. However, with the rise of AI-generated images and disinformation, it’s critical to take an informed approach to what we read – taking into account where it comes from and why it’s being shared.
The Cipher Brief addresses this threat by bringing together the expertise of the public and private sectors to provide stronger national security for all. Founded by Kelly in 2015, it is a national security-focused media organization that takes a firm stance on providing clear, accurate, and trusted information. Kelly is also the founder of The Cyber Initiatives Group and produces The Cipher Brief's Annual Threat Conference.
Follow her on LinkedIn.
Key topics of Kelly’s discussion with host Chuck Randolph include:
Why the private sector has shifted over time to take on a pivotal role in geopolitics, shape the way information is shared, and influence the speed of innovation.The rising threat of misinformation and disinformation and what security leaders can do to encourage sharing informed, accurate information and avoid chasing down false threats.Why Kelly is driven to bring insights to the forefront and help people solve geopolitical problems impacting their business.Key takeaways:
03:43: Suzanne Kelly - I felt like the private sector was not only impacted by what was happening around the world but serves as the backbone of the US economy which is really a humongous component of national security.
I've been really interested since February 2022 and the months preceding the Russian invasion of Ukraine — looking at the private sector's role there as well as the significant shift in how the world is dealing with geopolitical events like this war. Watching how the private sector came into that arena and started sharing technologies in ways that didn't always go through layers of government bureaucracy has spoken to the speed of innovation in the private sector.
09:56: Chuck - How should leaders think about misinformation and disinformation? Our job is to enable decision-makers, so how do we critically look at the news that's coming to us today and make sure that our bosses aren't succumbing to bias or false information?
10:40: Suzanne Kelly - Disinformation and misinformation is an incredibly risky threat to the United States. Obviously, it spreads beyond the borders but just what we've seen with elections and rhetoric and emotion and how outside entities can take a single bit of truth from something and then weave a web of lies around it. And then drop that into social media feeds and other places where Americans are so conditioned to get information at their fingertips to make snap decisions to reshare things. We need to become a nation of critical thinkers that quickly discern where a source is coming from if it's a credible place and if the organization that they're reading from names sources or if they’re anonymous - why? I think having a country that is full of critical thinkers is going to be a lot better for our future than having a country of people inclined to believe a headline.
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When companies investigate incidents and address threats posed to the business and its people, the aftermath of resolution is frequently overlooked. Recognizing this gap, Wendy Bailey established Capital One’s Care Team. Comprising of internal members, this team extends support to individuals who have suffered injuries or witnessed threat activity, supporting a comprehensive approach to recovery. In this episode, she shares how technology in the investigative research field has evolved and why the noisiest cases are not always the ones you prioritize.
Wendy Bailey is the Manager of Capital One’s Threat Management Team where she assesses and manages workplace violence, intimate partner violence, and suicide concerns. Before transitioning to the private sector, she spent 19 years in Law Enforcement and held various roles including 14 years as a Detective.
Key topics of Bailey’s discussion with Dr. Marisa Randazzo include:
How technology has evolved from landlines to social media and the speed of information available to investigate incidents.The importance of the initial interview for de-escalation, especially when the opportunity presents itself and the safety of the interviewer is ensured.The biggest challenges of her investigative work and how she manages a growing caseload and conducts long term monitoring.The benefit of diversity in experience for those wanting to enter the investigative field and the most important skill set needed.This episode focused on the importance of having an integrated system so teams can view a complete, accurate, and up-to-date picture of their threat landscape. Ontic’s Integrated Research optimizes risk and threat management with identity, criminal activity, civil litigation, adverse media, and global public records coverage — all in one place. Reach out if you’d like to learn more.
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The ability to adapt and change course when unexpected challenges arise is a crucial skill in many professions, but particularly in supply chain security operations where leaders are managing a multimodal environment with layers of partnerships and vendors. Their core responsibility is to ensure that products are moving safely from one place to another, placing complete trust in the hands of truck drivers and other logistics professionals to certify that compliance standards are maintained. In a world where one freight exposure at a rest stop could cost a manufacturer millions of dollars, having visibility into the various stages of the supply chain allows companies to stay ahead of threats and steer clear of crime.
Overhaul is dedicated to providing that visibility in ‘one pane of glass’ and helps customers make sense of the chaos within their intricate network of vendors. Barry Conlon is the CEO and founder of Overhaul, the global leader in in-transit risk management and visibility solutions. Prior to founding Overhaul, Conlon was the founder and CEO of FreightWatch, where he played a key role in shaping the industry. His extensive background in security operations is rooted in his eleven-year tenure with the Irish Defense Forces, Irish Special Operations Unit, and Army Ranger Wing.
Key topics of Conlon’s discussion with host Fred Burton include
How his time in the Irish Defense Forces influenced him to always be ready for the next curveball and adapt and change accordingly.What Overhaul is doing to help change the way manufacturers manage in-transit risk.Unique challenges faced by supply chain security operations and how most freight exposures occur.Trends and behavioral changes in supply chain security industry over the past few years and what is on the horizon.Key takeaways:
06:34: Barry Conlon: What you’re really being asked to do as a supply chain professional is effectively manage chaos. You know there's so much to monitor and you can imagine in the multimodal environment where you're going from road to air and back to road again. There are so many different modes of transportation. There are a lot of stop starts and freight at rest is freight at risk. What we do at Overhaul is provide that connected visibility world to our customers where literally we connect all available technologies that already exist out there and we take the information that's freely available and mesh all that together into one pane of glass.
13:10: Fred: You really have your finger on the pulse when it comes to trends and what are you seeing when it comes to trends in the security space for supply chains. You know what are the threats that you're seeing currently and perhaps what are some of the threats that you're looking at that are over the horizon that people aren't thinking about.
13:53: Barry Conlon: Fred I've never seen it as busy as it is now because supply chains are heavily impacted by COVID. Everybody's attitude to buying online shifted. Now even ingestible pharmaceuticals are purchased online, which you would never buy there unless you got them from a validated pharmacy and now people are regularly ordering these and criminals are quick to respond.
14:48: Barry Conlon: You can walk into a truck stop. There might be 20 or 30 trucks parked there. You know I'd be shocked if less than 10 percent are less than 100,000 in value. A lot of them are multiple millions in value and they've got literally no protection. The trucks are running because drivers like to keep their cabs cool or warm depending on where they are and the time of year and it costs them money to turn off that tractor trader. I have never seen a truck alarm in my 30 years of experience in this industry - particularly in my last twenty three years in North America, and you're blessed if a truck driver actually locks the door.
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It comes as no surprise that the standards and terminology in the security profession vary depending on where you are in the world. However, when you work for a company that operates in 74 countries, keeping track of these nuances is vital to efficiently addressing threats and quickly arriving at a solution.
Bruce Mills is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Hyatt Corporation. In his role, he oversees over 160,000 associates and nearly 1,400 hotels and resorts in 74 countries. Mills is responsible for all security and life safety programs and initiatives, including physical and technical security, emergency preparedness and crisis management, travel safety and internal investigations, and brand protection activities. Before moving to the private sector, he spent nearly 25 years with the Diplomatic Security Service, attaining the rank of Special Agent-in-Charge serving all over the world.
Key topics of Mills’ discussion with host Fred Burton include:
The cultural differences in security — you can have global standards for a company's security program but there are always cultural nuances.How to manage a security presence when the doors are always open.Communicating with leadership when you have multiple bosses, and the importance of identifying risk and providing steps to mitigate it.The role of technology in the success of his role in the business and how standardization across locations is essential to staying ahead of threats.Key takeaways:
04:50: Fred: How has your sector evolved from a security perspective over the last say five years or so?
04:58: Bruce Mills: In the hospitality sector it's a little bit different from the defense sector or even the government sector and even in certain commercial enterprises you you build a hardened presence. You build very strong concentric rings of security and you try to keep people out and to keep people safe. In hospitality think about it this way — we never close our doors or we certainly don't lock our doors. We are an open, welcoming environment. So it poses a whole series of concerns.
You'd be surprised at how we've incorporated some of the physical securities pieces into the hospitality industry. You might not see it but behind the scenes, you'll have X-ray machines and explosive itemizers and different environmental factors to control vehicles. You need to monitor delivery people and separate them from employees versus visitors and so on. So a lot of similar mitigations but doing so in a more of an open environment. It's a very difficult work environment because you just literally have to keep the front door open.
10:31: Fred: Bruce, how have you found success in proving the business value of your security program to your 1,600 bosses in this case or to your c-suite?
10:46: Bruce Mills: I oftentimes will remind my leadership why I'm here. Our model at Hyatt is that we have safety and security at the forefront of our mission and so I remind our leadership that it's important to walk the walk not just talk to talk. I explain that these elements and actions can incrementally make our guests and colleagues safer and our properties more secure. It's in our best interest and safety and security have to be a core component of how we do business.
Hyatt has had a longstanding culture in which safety is critically important and woven into the business. So I'm carrying that flag and continuing the effort.
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The topic of mental health in the security profession has been pushed aside for decades, but with the emergence of open-minded and forward-thinking younger generations, this crucial topic is increasingly finding its place in the spotlight. Not only is it important to take care of others to build a positive, empathic culture, but it also can decrease turnover and reduce costs to the business, having a positive effect on how assets are protected.
John Rodriguez is an expert on this topic and brings 41+ years of pure corporate security experience working for major corporations including General Motors, Kimberly-Clark, Levi Strauss & Co., and Cardinal Health. He is the founder of Empathic Security Cultures, LLC, based in Austin, Texas. Rodriguez is a security generalist with a passion for security culture development, coaching, and mental health for a psychologically safe workplace and mitigating hostile environment risks.
Key topics of Rodriguez’s discussion with host Fred Burton include:
Insights on how the mental health needs of security practitioners (and employees as a whole) have evolved since the pandemicWhy connecting with people and building a culture of empathy is strongly tied to turnover and the success of a business.Advice for teams on building a successful security culture within an organization. -
When a company experiences such immense growth that the name becomes synonymous with video conferencing, the importance of security measures increases accordingly. Nathan Mills joins the podcast to discuss the risks that come along with protecting people and assets for one of the most visible, evolving companies in the world.
As an Electrical Engineer with an MS in Strategic Intelligence and Project Management credentials, Mills spent the past 20 years developing, implementing, managing, and innovating enterprise risk management frameworks. He has extensive international experience as a Foreign Service Officer (Security Engineering Officer) in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security and as the Director of Security Risk and Crisis Management at General Electric before his current role of Head of Global Security (CSO - Physical) at Zoom.
Key topics of Mills’ discussion with host Fred Burton include:
Why the risk profile of a dynamic, highly visible product differs from a company with a more established line of business.How Mills structures his security program and the strategies he leverages to be more efficient.Advice for security teams who lead operations on a global scale and the top three things they should focus on.Key takeaways:
08:29: Fred: You're working in an industry and a company that has become almost like the word Google. And you think of the success over the pandemic and how you provide such a vital business continuity resource to the private sector.
09:00: Nathan Mills: Completely. Yeah, it's it's very interesting to work for a company that has become a verb and there's a lot of unique risks that come with that. In regards to the growth stage of an IPO and being new and having a lot of attention, that risk profile is very different than the ‘okay now you're established.’ You've been built people are using your products you have a market. Now you're in different places in the world. Now you have people traveling a lot more and now you have an expanding portfolio of products. How does the physical security element come into play and help educate the executives and other people who are maybe not familiar with a mature physical security organization?
13:29: Fred: What advice do you have for security teams who lead operations on a global scale?
14:12: Nathan Mills: One of the things that I've learned is how do you do more with less and I think that's obviously a tired cliche, but leveraging the relationships is something that I think a lot of practitioners might overlook. The ability for me to get it in front of the right people at the right time to be able to influence change is the hardest part about it. So as I was building the program the one thing I constantly talked about with my team was building relationships with intentionality knowing who your stakeholders are within our groups and reaching out to them to build a cadence and learn more about them.
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Unfortunately in today’s threat landscape, a Google search - even a few pages deep - won’t capture nearly enough information to grasp the risk a company faces. That’s why Welton Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of Pyrra Technologies, set it upon himself to go after the content on fringe sites because of the threats that continue to emerge out of these nearly unmoderated social conversations.
Pyrra Technologies is a threat intelligence company that scans unmoderated social media with AI. Most recently Chang was the first Chief Technology Officer at Human Rights First and founded HRF's Innovation Lab. Prior to joining HRF, he was a senior researcher at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory where he led teams and developed technical solutions to address disinformation and online propaganda.
Key topics of Chang’s discussion with host Fred Burton include:
Inspiration behind developing Pyrra Technologies and his research on disinformation and online propaganda. Challenges emerging from generative AI that corporate security will face in 2024 Advice for corporate security on confronting the lack of trust their audience faces due to the uptick in generative AI online -
Choosing office facilities involves far more than evaluating rent and location. In the current landscape of seemingly escalating workplace violence, prioritizing workplace safety has never been more important. Security teams play a pivotal role in shaping the work environment, strategically implementing security measures that align with the layout and available resources in each office location.
Amanda Mason is currently serving as the Vice President of Intelligence for Related Companies, the largest privately held real estate company in the US. She joins this episode to share why security plays such an influential role in real estate decisions. Mason’s role is to integrate information from various sources and bridge the gap between cyber threats, national security, local law enforcement, physical security, and business intelligence. She provides threat information and solutions to the various subsidiaries under Related Companies, which include Real Estate, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Hospitality, and International Finance.
Key topics of Mason’s discussion with host Fred Burton include:
Her transition from serving in the National Guard into the private sector, and the skills honed during her military tenure that have been instrumental in her success.The importance of learning how to ‘sell security’ and its role in shaping national security decisions.Security’s role in influencing decisions around office locations.Advice for corporate security teams when partnering with real estate or corporate leaders in managing and selecting office space.Key takeaways:
14:00: Fred: How do you see securities' role in influencing decisions around office locations?
14:11: Amanda Mason: There definitely is a very strong role for security operations regarding the selection of locations and office bases. Threats of Workplace violence weigh on people's minds because nowadays companies are really being held responsible for the safety and security of their employees. Security really has a huge role in what the facility looks like and what are the security measures. Companies want to help minimize their risk and their exposure because the costs are very high for these types of criminal incidents to occur at or near their property.
15:34: Fred: Amanda what advice do you have for corporate security teams when partnering with real estate or corporate leaders in managing and selecting office space?
15:52 Amanda Mason: The first thing is — is there a security team there on hand, or do you need to bring in more resources? What are their resources and their procedures? Do you have an op center? How do you relay information back to the company as a tenant? How are you sharing information? What's the relation
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Since October 7th, businesses in the Israel region and beyond have been forced to reframe how they think about their priorities based on the threat environment and the resources available. However, some are more prepared than others when it comes to planning and decision-making.
Tzahi Shraga is the Chief Intelligence Officer of MAX Security Solutions and joins the podcast to share what sets companies apart from others when faced with unforeseen circumstances. Shraga is a former lieutenant colonel from the Israeli intelligence services where he spent 29 years in service gaining vast experience in the field of operational intelligence. His deep expertise in strategic, risk and counter-terrorism analysis and intelligence collection has helped turn MAX into one of the security industry’s most innovative intelligence operations.
Key topics of Shraga’s discussion with host Chuck Randolph include:
How the Israel-Hamas War has impacted business operations, and what sectors in particular are at risk.What intel experts need to drive decision-making and forecasting in this volatile environment.What companies or business travelers should consider before traveling in the region.Key takeaways:
12:36: Tzahi: Early preparation is essential way before the crisis starts. It's hard to believe, but even today and yesterday we have conversations and meetings with companies that didn't take any measures and only remembered when the reality hits them. I'm talking about having the right evacuation plans and awareness training for the employees. They need to know where is the next shelter and what to do when a Red Alert Siren is heard.
29:08: Tzahi: You can read the newspaper and you'll have good facts, but as intel experts we need to bring assessments — our understanding of the environment and the situation and our prediction about what is to come. When we bring this we really help the decision making.
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