The Ontic Connected Intelligence Podcast

Frank Rodman, CEO and co-founder of Torchstone Global, joins Fred Burton to discuss what it takes to protect people, events, and organizations in an increasingly complex threat environment. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across the Diplomatic Security Service, corporate security, executive protection, GSOC operations, and major global events, Frank shares lessons from the 1993 World T...

Modern executive protection requires far more than a physical presence. In this episode, Fred Burton speaks with Bryan Niederhelm, Senior Vice President of Threat Assessment and Management at Gavin de Becker & Associates, about the evolving landscape of protective intelligence, threat assessment, and violence prevention. Bryan shares why the fundamentals of human behavior, preparation, and discipl...

The risk landscape facing corporate leaders has changed dramatically. In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with longtime security executive Ken Senser to discuss how threats have evolved from large-scale physical attacks to today's digitally enabled, grievance-driven risks. Drawing on decades of experience with the CIA, FBI, Walmart, and Corporate Security Advisors, Ken shares his perspective on...

A growing culture of incivility is reshaping the corporate risk landscape, and security leaders are being forced to adapt quickly. In this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Fred Burton sits down with Security Executive Council founder Bob Hayes to discuss the research behind rising workplace aggression, executive targeting, activist-driven threats, and the long-term implications for c...

Transitioning from the CIA to leading global security at Microsoft is no small leap. Mike Howard shares how he navigated that shift, rebuilt a security program at scale, and learned to influence without authority in the private sector. He reflects on the importance of aligning security with business strategy, building diverse teams to tackle emerging threats, and continuously evolving as a leader....

Jack Carr returns to the show to discuss his latest novel, The Fourth Option , and the creative journey behind expanding beyond the James Reese universe. Drawing from his experience as a Navy SEAL and his deep passion for storytelling, Jack shares how authenticity, discipline, and relentless curiosity shape his writing. The conversation explores collaboration, the evolution of modern audiences, an...

After more than two decades in the FBI, including leading its global intelligence program, Josh Skule has seen firsthand how intelligence shapes national security and business risk. In this conversation, he shares lessons from the Bureau, the challenges of transitioning into the private sector, and why collaboration across government and industry is more critical than ever. The discussion explores...

What does it take to lead security operations at the highest levels—from protecting U.S. diplomats overseas to safeguarding a global financial institution? In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Jim Bacigalupo, former Diplomatic Security Service leader and current corporate security executive, to discuss the transition from government security operations to the private sector. Jim shares less...

In this episode, Manish sits down with Raju Bhatia, Chief Security Officer at Regions Bank. With more than 25 years of experience — including two decades with the FBI and senior corporate security leadership at Bank of America — Raj shares how his career evolved from federal investigations to leading intelligence-driven security programs in the private sector. He unpacks what it takes to move from...

Fred Burton sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor to discuss his latest thriller, Cold Zero . Centered on a CIA extraction gone wrong in the Arctic Circle, the novel explores the realities of modern intelligence operations, global competition, and high-stakes decision-making under extreme pressure. Thor shares the real-world inspiration behind the book, his collaboration wi...

Manish Mehta sits down with Wayman Cummings, Chief Information Security Officer at Ochsner Health, to explore what cyber-physical security convergence really looks like in practice. Wayman shares how his unconventional path into cybersecurity shaped his leadership style and his perspective on risk in high-stakes environments like healthcare. The conversation dives into insider risk, the role of AI...

Host Fred Burton sits down with Jeremy Baumann, CEO and founder of Corporate Security Advisors, to explore what it truly means to build high-performing, business-aligned security programs. Drawing on three decades of experience across law enforcement, corporate security, and consulting, Jeremy shares how security leaders can move beyond being seen as a cost center and instead become trusted enable...

In this episode, Fred Burton sits down with Rich Davis, former Chief Security Officer of United Airlines, to explore the evolution of aviation security and what it takes to manage risk at a truly global scale. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Rich shares how collaboration, intelligence sharing, and a strong duty of care mindset have reshaped airline security—and why relationships acros...

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 sec...

On this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Manish Mehta sits down with Chris Wingfield, SVP of Innovations at 360Privacy, to explore the evolving landscape of digital targeting and executive protection. Chris shares how his background in intelligence and signals analysis informs his approach to building proactive, AI-driven cyber threat programs that reduce attack surfaces for high-ris...

In this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast , Jim McConnell shares insights from more than three decades in corporate and critical infrastructure security, exploring the evolution of converged security and safety metrics. Together with Manish, he discusses how organizations can move beyond silos to create unified, data-driven security strategies that strengthen both safety and operationa...

In this episode, host Fred Burton and co-host Cindy Marble sit down with Michael Evanoff, CSO at Verkada, to discuss his remarkable career spanning corporate security and diplomatic protection. Evanoff reflects on his experiences at the U.S. Department of State and in the private sector, sharing lessons on leadership, collaboration, and adapting protective strategies across diverse environments. T...

In this episode, Manish speaks with Michael Civitano, Senior Security Manager of Intelligence and GSOC at ServiceNow, about transforming incident management from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience. They unpack how modern GSOCs can streamline incident detection and response through simplified processes, empowered teams, and the strategic use of AI. The discussion also explores how collab...

In this episode of the Connected Intelligence Podcast, Dr. Farhad Tajali joins host Manish to explore how AI and data analytics are transforming the future of security. From video analytics that can detect weapons and suspicious behavior to uncovering hidden patterns in access control and incident data, Dr. Tajali explains why these tools are now mission-critical. The conversation also digs into t...

Rachel Briggs , CEO of The Clarity Factory , joins us again on the Connected Intelligence Podcast to share findings from The Clarity Factory's Annual CSO Survey, proudly sponsored by Ontic. We explore how security leaders can break silos, tackle insider risk, and adapt to the rapidly evolving threat landscape. She highlights the growing need for cross-functional partnerships, the rising urgency ar...

In this episode of Ontic's Connected Intelligence Podcast, Jake Williams and Robin Miller share how their Navy backgrounds shaped the founding of Fortified Risk Group and their unique approach to integrating digital and physical security. They discuss the evolution of corporate security, from intelligence-driven threat assessments to proactive risk mitigation strategies tailored for today’s dynami...

In this episode, Fred sits down with Scott McHugh, a veteran of both federal service and Fortune 100 security leadership, to explore what the public and private sectors can learn from each other. They dive into how public-sector urgency, mission focus, and intelligence practices can strengthen corporate programs—and how the private sector’s agility, innovation, and risk tolerance can enhance feder...

In this episode, host Manish Mehta speaks with Rachel Briggs, CEO and Co-Founder of The Clarity Factory, about the critical importance of holistic security in modern organizations. They explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating physical and cybersecurity functions, emphasizing the need for effective partnerships and leadership to achieve operational resilience. Rachel shares insights...

Fred Burton sits down with Nina Hobson, a seasoned executive protection leader, to explore the evolving landscape of security for high-profile individuals. They discuss the critical role of intelligence, the impact of social media on modern protection strategies, and the importance of authenticity and trust in building client relationships. With over 20 years of experience, Nina shares her journey...

In this episode of Ontic's Connected Intelligence Podcast, host Manish Mehta interviews Brian Tuskan, Chief Security Officer of ServiceNow, to explore his journey from law enforcement to corporate security leadership. They discuss the transformative role of technology, including AI, in modern security operations and workforce development, while highlighting Brian's innovative Silicon Valley Securi...