The Ontic Connected Intelligence Podcast

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 corporate security programs. Bob shares lessons drawn from decades of research and leadership experience, including why organizations often overlook their most probable risks and how security teams can better align intelligence with business action. The conversation also explores the evolution of executive protection and the importance of actionable intelligence in today’s environment.

You'll learn:

Why workplace incivility is becoming a growing corporate security concern

How executive targeting trends are shifting toward activist-driven threats

What organizations often miss when assessing executive risk

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

Beyond Incivility: The Soaring Business Cost of America’s Deteriorating Civility

Executive Targeting Report: Analysis of Attacks on Corporate Executives from 2003-2025

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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. The conversation also explores how security leaders can think more broadly about risk in an increasingly interconnected world.

You'll learn:

Why influence, not authority, is the most critical skill in corporate security

How aligning with business strategy unlocks buy-in and resources

The importance of diverse talent in addressing emerging and complex threats

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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, and the balance between technical accuracy and compelling narrative. Along the way, Jack reflects on the importance of reading, the influence of history, and how stories can build empathy in an increasingly distracted world.

You'll learn:

How real-world experience informs authentic and compelling storytelling

Why reading is foundational to creativity, empathy, and leadership

The evolving challenge of capturing attention in a distracted digital world

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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 how organizations can better balance tactical demands with long-term strategy, navigate evolving threats, and build smarter, intelligence-led security programs. It’s a candid look at what it takes to lead in today’s complex risk environment.

You'll learn:

How to balance immediate threats with long-term intelligence strategy

Why information sharing between government and private sector remains challenging

How to build a modern, intelligence-led corporate security program

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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 lessons from managing large-scale embassy security programs, building modern GSOCs, and navigating the evolving risk landscape inside global financial institutions. The conversation explores the role of intelligence, technology, and leadership in proactive security programs—and why the human factor still matters most.

You'll learn: 

• How government security experience translates into corporate security leadership 

• What “good” looks like in a modern GSOC and intelligence program 

• Why effective security programs combine technology with strong human analysis

Learn more in Ontic Resources.

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