A personal and professional crisis
For one senior executive at a global corporation, the line between personal and professional risk vanished overnight. The executive became the target of a multi-dimensional threat that combined misinformation, disinformation, and high-capability threat actors with malicious intent. What began as a professional challenge quickly spilled into personal life, placing both the executive's career and family in danger.
And the timing couldn’t have been worse. These threats coincided with the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) - a critical business event where disruptions could affect stakeholders, the company’s reputation, and its financial standing. A growing backlash from activists, protesters, and dissatisfied shareholders was identified, with all intent on derailing the proceedings.
Securitas was hired to proactively identify and mitigate potential threats to protect the executive and company operations during a critical business period.
An intelligence-driven response
The situation immediately intensified when our investigation uncovered a potential insider threat. Someone within the organization appeared to be supplying these threat actors with privileged information, amplifying the danger. With the executive’s personal safety, the company’s reputation, and business continuity on the line, swift and strategic action became non-negotiable.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, Securitas immediately informed the client and launched a comprehensive, intelligence-driven response. Our protective intelligence team conducted a thorough risk assessment, identifying vulnerabilities across the executive’s personal and professional environments. Dedicated escorts, regular check-ins, and lone-worker solutions equipped with alarms and tracking features were implemented to enhance the executive’s physical safety.
Ensuring a smooth AGM
As the AGM approached, the pressure mounted. Preparative responses were developed to address difficult shareholder questions and real-time risks were monitored. Activist groups, disgruntled shareholders, and protesters organized to disrupt the event. Their plans included coordinated protests, online campaigns, and targeted shareholder questions designed to destabilize the proceedings.
We worked closely with the client’s event and security teams to enhance access controls, develop proactive responses, and establish real-time monitoring of potential disruptors. This allowed the company to stay one step ahead, ensuring the AGM ran smoothly despite mounting external pressures.
Misinformation and disinformation campaigns
No sooner had the AGM ended than the executive faced a new wave of threats. A public hearing provided a foundation for misinformation campaigns, with media outlets twisting their statements into viral soundbites. Overnight, a backlash erupted, escalating into death threats targeting the executive and the executive's family.
We responded immediately by providing strategic guidance to control the narrative, monitoring social and traditional media to contain misinformation and assess emerging risks. Threatening emails, calls, and social media posts were filtered and assessed for credibility, with serious threats flagged for immediate action. Partnering with law enforcement, we enhanced physical security at key locations, providing close protection for the executive during this volatile period.
Safety, continuity, and a stronger organization
As the external threats were contained, we turned our focus inward to address the insider risk. Security awareness programs were implemented to educate employees on workplace violence, insider risks, and personal safety. By collaborating with the client’s internal teams, we reinforced the organization’s ability to handle future challenges.
Through the seamless integration of intelligence-led security measures, we ensured the executive’s safety during one of the most turbulent periods of a distinguished career. By safeguarding the executive’s well-being, we also provided peace of mind to the organization, enabling uninterrupted business continuity, and protecting its reputation.
This partnership highlights a critical lesson for today’s leaders. In an increasingly unpredictable world, proactive, intelligence-led security is a strategic advantage.
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