What Leaders Need To Know About Their Safety

Forbes

4 days ago

Michael Evanoff is the chief security officer and strategic advisor at Verkada, a leader in cloud-based physical security solutions.
There has been a paradigm shift regarding security for business leaders. C-level executives are more visible than they've ever been. At their best, they're painted as celebrities. At their worst, they're lightning rods for criticism.
I've spent the majority of my career protecting some of the most visible leaders in the public and private sectors. In that time, I've witnessed a major shift in executive protection (EP). Not only have the nature of threats to their safety evolved, but the technologies and tools that security experts leverage have also advanced with them.
In this new threat landscape, data and information control are often overlooked threats that put leaders—and the teams that protect them—at risk. However harmless it may seem, sharing information creates vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit.
Organizations are rethinking the safety and security of their leaders at this moment. Beyond the clear investment in technology, tools and personnel, they must also recognize that a hidden strength in any security strategy lies in the thoughtful, deliberate management and control of personal data.
Here are four often-overlooked areas that can have an outsized impact on the strength of executive security programs in the year ahead.
1. The Double-Edged Sword Of Social Media
Social media has become a powerful platform for executives to connect with their customers and even their employees. However, this accessibility comes at a cost.
Platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram are often rich sources of personal information that bad actors can exploit. Even seemingly harmless posts such as photos from a conference or updates about company events can provide clues about travel schedules, routine activities or locations.
As executives become more visible online, organizations must provide better training and privacy protocols that emphasize discretion, limit exposure and monitor sentiment online. This applies not just to executives but also to their families, family offices and teams.
Social media can be polarizing and divisive. Rapidly radicalized online narratives can spread like wildfire across TikTok, Facebook and X, amplifying offline threats in real time. Security and communications teams must work in tandem to track, assess and respond to this interconnected reputational and safety risk as it develops.
2. The Gaps From Operational Overload
EP officers carry immense responsibility—often working long hours, managing high-stress situations and constantly adapting to the demands of high-profile principals. Their well-being directly impacts the effectiveness of any security program, which is why ongoing support is critical.
Many officers work up to seven days a week, particularly when supporting public figures with rigorous travel schedules. Over time, this level of strain can take a toll, making it harder to perform under pressure. In April 2025, a Diplomatic Security Service agent assigned to Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly arrested after a public outburst—a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring EP officers are equipped with the resources, support systems and balanced workloads they need to perform at their best.
Support also means building a coordinated ecosystem around the EP officer. Protection isn't handled in isolation; it includes local law enforcement, private teams and federal agencies. When roles, communication systems or protocols aren't aligned, confusion can arise quickly, especially during last-minute schedule changes or high-pressure scenarios.
Leaders in executive protection must prioritize alignment, communication and clarity—not just for operational success but to support the people doing the work on the ground.
3. The Routines That Become A Risk
Rigid daily routines and habits are widely publicized as productivity hacks of C-suite leaders. However, while rituals are effective, promoting them can also be dangerous.
A quick search can unearth the daily routines of many high-profile CEOs. For someone intent on doing harm, the predictable nature of a CEO's publicly known schedule, including their travel times and regular activities, creates a window of opportunity.
Beyond the vulnerabilities revealed when routines are shared online, time-bound routines such as commuting, dining or exercising are ultimately easily observable patterns that bad actors can exploit. While it's not always possible to disrupt every habit, security teams must work with executives to incorporate flexibility where possible. Shifting commute routes, adjusting public appearance schedules or even introducing impromptu stops during travel can dramatically reduce predictability—and, in turn, risk.
4. Outdated Technology: A Missed Opportunity
EP is resource-intensive. Meta, for example, reportedly spent $43 million on CEO Mark Zuckerberg's personal security between 2020 and 2023. While "boots on the ground" remains essential, technology should be considered as a foundational piece of any executive protection program.
Using the latest technology can act as a force multiplier for resource-strapped teams, and today's tools can give security officers insight into threats emerging online and in the physical world, from motion-based alerts for loitering or line-crossing in prohibited areas to social media sentiment analysis.
Rethinking Security For The Modern Leader
Executive protection must always evolve alongside the important individuals that EP officers are entrusted with protecting. In today's environment, this means taking a deliberate and thoughtful approach to information sharing and gathering as well as investments in people and technology.
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