Executive Protection in a Volatile Threat Landscape: 4 Key Takeaways from Flashpoint’s Intel-Led Community Call

Executives and high-visibility individuals are increasingly targeted both online and offline, making robust executive protection strategies more critical than ever. Organizations must adopt proactive intelligence gathering and comprehensive security measures to address the convergence of physical and cyber threats.

To help security teams navigate this evolving landscape and adapt quickly to emerging threats, Flashpoint’s industry-leading intelligence team hosted a community call. It attracted more than 600 security leaders across industries with a mandate to protect their organization’s people and assets . Here are the top takeaways from this discussion, offering critical insights and actionable strategies for organizations seeking to safeguard executives and monitor high-risk communities.

1. Negative Sentiment Is Rising Across Multiple Industries

Flashpoint has observed an emerging and concerning trend where online hostilities are targeting executives across various sectors—not only in healthcare but also in banking, insurance, and finance in particular.

C-suite positions, including but not exclusive to CEOs, are increasingly being portrayed online as a “ruling class,” attracting widespread resentment and vitriol. This hostility is being manifested in various forms, from doxing and harassment to real threats of violence. It is imperative that organizations across all industries recognize this shift in perception and ensure that there are protection plans in place—and to be proactive in monitoring, validating, and responding to any credible claims.

2. Organizations Must Identify Which Online Chatter Could Portend Real-World Violence

The line between online rhetoric toward executives and real-world violence is becoming increasingly blurred. It’s critical for organizations to monitor open source channels as physical threats and actions can sometimes be traced to postings on social media and online forums. However, it can be challenging to identify credible threats amidst the noise. To help distinguish between aspirational statements and genuine threats, law enforcement and security teams should be on the lookout for the following indicators:

1. Language and tone: Comments made in an active tone should be scrutinized more closely. For example, statements such as “I will” versus “hopefully someone will” deserve a closer look. In addition, organizations should monitor for any quotes or references to manifestos from previous mass shooters.
2. Expressions of specific and recent grievances: Any mentions of recent traumatic events, such as a breakup or family death, can lead to increased radicalized viewpoints and escalated threats of violence.
3. Easy access to firearms: Individuals who openly discuss or display firearms online, or who have a history of firearms training, may pose a heightened risk.
4. Close physical proximity: Threat actors who are geographically close to the executive or who have the means to travel to their location should be considered a more serious threat.

3. The Dark Web and AI Represent New Dimensions of Risk

The dark web and artificial intelligence present a unique set of challenges. The dark web serves as a marketplace for stolen data—often including personally identifiable information (PII). Threat actors may leverage this information to facilitate physical attacks and doxing campaigns. Furthermore, the use of AI and web scraping technologies can act as a force multiplier, allowing malicious parties to gather information on executives at scale and within seconds, amplifying the potential for harm.

To help mitigate against these risks, security teams and law enforcement need visibility into dark web activity and AI-driven threats. Organizations need to stay ahead of these technological advancements, by investing in tools and strategies that can effectively monitor and mitigate risks emanating from these kinds of threats.

4. Proactive Measures Can Increase the Likelihood of a Safer Future

Protecting key personnel in today’s environment requires a multi-faceted approach. To effectively bridge the gap between online and offline threats, organizations must adopt a comprehensive strategy that incorporates open source intelligence (OSINT) and physical security measures. This includes:

• Monitoring online chatter and sentiment: Continuously track online conversations and sentiment related to the organization and its executives to identify potential threats early on. This can be achieved by leveraging OSINT tools to monitor social media, news outlets, and dark web forums for any mentions of the organization or its executives.
• Doxing awareness and prevention: Educate executives, their families, and surrounding personnel about the risks of openly sharing PII. Protected individuals need to ensure that unnecessary information is not being publicly shared.
• Increased physical security: Enhance physical security measures at the office, home, and other frequented locations of executives.
• Expanding protection: Extend protection beyond CEOs to include other high-profile individuals within the organization, such as CFOs, board members, and other key personnel.

Protect Key Personnel Using Flashpoint

The evolving threat landscape demands a proactive and comprehensive approach to executive protection. By leveraging OSINT, understanding the dynamics of online threats, and implementing robust security measures, organizations can effectively safeguard their key personnel and ensure business continuity. 

Flashpoint’s unique ability to provide deep insights into online chatter, including social media, the deep and dark web, and illicit communities, empowers organizations to identify and mitigate threats before they escalate. Our advanced AI-assisted technology combined with expert analysts helps organizations stay ahead, enabling them to take decisive action. For a deeper exploration of these insights, contact us to learn more.

“Businesses must understand the multi-faceted threat landscape facing executives and their associates. Security professionals need to be monitoring both online sentiment and potential physical vulnerabilities to mitigate threats toward their staff and premises.”

Alexandra Jones, physical Security Analyst at Flashpoint