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 intelligence
• How pre-operational surveillance, behavioral cues, and digital exhaust reveal attackers’ methods
• Why simple, foundational security practices remain essential even as new technologies transform the field

Learn more in Ontic Resources here.

If you’re enjoying this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the show.