As companies continue hybrid work in this third year of COVID-19, high levels of physical threats are expected to continue to rise, significant health and safety protocol-related conflicts between management and employees will continue to occur, and workplace violence preparedness at businesses is primarily reactive and inconsistent.

These are some of the findings unveiled in a new study commissioned by the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence.

The study “2022 State of Protective Intelligence Report –– Heightened Threats, Business Continuity And Advancing Protective Intelligence: Perception Versus Reality In Corporate America,” showcases the collective perspectives of chief security officers, chief legal officers, chief compliance officers, general counsels, physical security directors, corporate attorneys, and physical security decision-makers at U.S. companies with over 5,000 employees to examine how they see physical security challenges and opportunities unfolding in 2022, and the potential impact on business continuity.

“The physical threat landscape has significantly changed and expanded, a majority of respondents agreed, which has created an exponential increase in data and pre-incident indicators that will only grow and be unmanageable in 2022,” said Fred Burton, Executive Director of the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence.

“But when it comes to approaches to employee preparedness to address threats and workplace violence, just over half cited their company believes training employees so they are better prepared for potential workplace violence will create a culture of fear, wants to take a reactive strategy and does not see the ultimate risk to business continuity by inaction.”

“Threats or harmful incidents are occurring so often, a majority agree, that employees are used to erratic and violent behavior and don’t report these as warning signs until it’s too late.”

“This is why technology-based tools and consistent training are more critical than ever – thankfully we are seeing greater and greater adoption of digital intelligence.”

(Learn about Ontic, the first protective intelligence software company to digitally transform how Fortune 500 and emerging enterprises proactively address physical threat management to protect employees, customers, and assets.  Courtesy of ASIS International and YouTube. Posted on Sep 23, 2021.)

“We are seeing a large-scale movement to transform physical security, accelerated by the pandemic, an increasing volume of threats, and too many misses that jeopardize business stability,” added Lukas Quanstrom, CEO of Ontic.

“Almost universally, U.S. companies are actively consolidating their multiple threat intelligence, monitoring and alerting solutions into a unified system of record that enables holistic data analysis and reporting across the enterprise.”

“This is good news for American businesses and their employees, but given the magnitude of the challenge, more needs to be done to consistently address risks to industries and shore up business continuity.”

Key findings from the survey include:

• 88% agree, compared to the beginning of 2021, companies are experiencing a dramatic increase in physical threat activity.

• 85% agree the physical threat landscape has significantly changed and expanded, which has created an exponential increase in data and pre-incident indicators that will only grow and be unmanageable in 2022.

• When asked what issues “keep them up at night” as they consider their company’s 2022 physical security program, respondents cited increased physical threats and company backlash related to:

  • Rising extremism, social and political issues (32%)

  • Vaccination requirements (31%)

• 88% have reopened offices and are encountering significant conflicts between management and employees regarding health and safety protocols as well as work-from-home policies

• In 2021 the lack of unified digital protective intelligence resulted in missed threats and physical harm to employees, customers, and human assets for their company, 84% of respondents agreed, up from 71% in the prior year

• Among 18 physical security challenges in 2022 outlined, most likely to be listed among legal and compliance leaders:

  • Physical security threats to C-suite and company leadership (44%)

  • Data protection and privacy (41%)

• After employees were threatened or harmed by former employees or others while working remotely or at company facilities, respondents:

  • Notified HR, legal and security (43%)

  • Notified the local police and requested enhanced patrol coverages (40%)

  • Enhanced company security coverages for the employee both in the office and at their home (39%)

  • Enhanced intelligence collection around the threat (36%)

The 2022 State of #ProtectiveIntelligence Report is here! In a survey of security, legal and risk and compliance leaders, we examine the challenges and opportunities unfolding in 2022 and the potential impact on business continuity. Dive into our findings. https://t.co/MvYeVlhxHa

— Ontic (@ontic_ai) February 22, 2022

• The top compliance, risk and regulation issues having an impact on physical security strategy include:

  • Corporations have now become targets and can no longer rely on others for protection

    • (64% ​​rank this as one of their top three compliance, risk, or regulation issues, from a list of five)

  • Closing the gap between physical security solutions and compliance requirements.

    • (64% rank this as one of their top three compliance, risk, or regulation issues, from a list of five)

  • Corporate activists are becoming insider threats

    • (62% rank this as one of their top three compliance, risk, or regulation issues, from a list of five)

  • Increased personal liability for CEOs and C-level executives

    • (59% rank this as one of their top three compliance, risk, or regulation issues, from a list of five)

The Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence provides strategic consulting, multidimensional services, and resources for safety and security, legal, risk, and compliance professionals at major corporations across nearly every industry sector.

Through its initiatives, global industry experts and authorities in protective intelligence share best practices, insights on current and historical trends, and explore lessons learned from physical security peers.

The Center is led by Fred Burton, one of the world’s foremost experts on security and counterterrorism. A former police officer, special agent, and New York Times best-selling author, Burton has served on the front lines of high-profile investigations including the hunt for and arrest of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the first World Trade Center bombing.

(Learn More. Hear from Former police officer, special agent and New York Times best-selling author. Courtesy of Mark Ledlow and YouTube.) 

The 2021 Mid-Year Outlook – State of Protective Intelligence Report (May 2021) and inaugural 2021 State of Protective Intelligence Report (December 2020) are also available here for download.

To download the complete “2022 State of Protective Intelligence Report –– Heightened Threats, Business Continuity And Advancing Protective Intelligence: Perception Versus Reality In Corporate America” report, click here.

To Learn More, please visit ontic.co/center. 

TENEO Risk Advisory Recognized in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Sixth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

TENEO

• Excellence in Homeland Security

  • • TENEO Risk Advisory

• In today’s complex operating environment, organizations are charged with mitigating an array of interdisciplinary and intersecting risks across the enterprise, whether terrorism, reputational risk, geopolitical risk, or cyber threat, and the complexity of this risk landscape demands new mitigation strategies and tactics that transcend traditional security processes.

• Led by former NYPD, BPD, and LAPD Police Commissioner, and Vice Chairman of the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council, Bill Bratton, who was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety, TENEO Risk Advisory is made up of leading security and political risk consultants with backgrounds from the world’s most respected corporate, intelligence, public-safety, public-health and technology organizations. 

• TENEO Risk Advisory offers CEOs a holistic approach to identify, manage, and mitigate operational risks to their businesses by providing comprehensive strategic guidance to build risk awareness, resiliency, and mitigation.

(See an ‘American Security Today Exclusive Interview’ with Commissioner Bill Bratton facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems at the 2020 “ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in New York City on November 17, 2021.  Courtesy of My Pristine Images, and Vimeo.)

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)
• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)
• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)
• The American Red Cross
• The InfraGard National Alliance
• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)
• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
• The Federal Air Marshals Service
• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their record of accomplishment include:

AlertMedia, Allied Universal, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems of America, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, HID Global, Mark43, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Lumina Analytics, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Senstar Corporation, ShotSpotter, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and Wiresecure, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.