FLASHPOINT Complete to OSINT for Executive Protection User Guide

Product Name: The Complete Guide to OSINT for Executive
Protection
Target Audience: Security professionals, executive protection
teams, corporate risk leaders

Purpose: Strengthening protection strategies through OSINT
utilization

Product Usage Instructions

Introduction

The Complete Guide to OSINT for Executive Protection is designed
to equip security professionals with the knowledge and tools
necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of security threats.
It focuses on leveraging OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) to
enhance protection strategies for high-profile individuals.

Identifying Executive Threats

1. Recognize and assess various modern threats that executives
may face, including digital and physical risks.

2. Understand how different threats can intersect and influence
each other, leading to complex security challenges.

Implementing Security Measures

1. Proactively enhance security by following established best
practices and real-world examples.

2. Take steps to remove sensitive information from online
platforms, set up targeted threat alerts, prepare for secure
travel, and mitigate risks related to public controversies.

Enhancing OSINT Toolkit

1. Utilize real-time social media intelligence, diverse open
sources, geospatial data, and AI-powered analysis to detect
threats.

2. Identify potential threats, monitor sentiment, and convert
raw data into actionable intelligence for effective protection
strategies.

The Evolving Landscape of Executive Protection

Physical and Cyber Threat Convergence

Threats against executives can manifest in digital and physical
realms, with online attacks often translating into real-world
dangers.

Attack Types

Doxxing: Release of private information
leading to harassment.

Swatting: False emergency calls leading to
police presence.
Deepfakes: Manipulated media damaging
reputation.

Violent Attacks: Physical harm directed at
executives.
Cyber Attacks: Hacking attempts targeting
executives’ data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How can I stay updated on the latest security threats?

A: Utilize the resources provided in the guide to set up
targeted threat alerts and monitor real-time social media
intelligence for ongoing awareness of potential risks.

Q: What proactive security measures should I implement?

A: Follow the best practices outlined in the guide, including
removing sensitive information online, preparing for secure travel,
and mitigating risks related to public controversies.

“`

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The Complete

Guide to OSINT for

Executive Protection

Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 The Evolving Landscape of Executive Protection ………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Physical and Cyber Threat Convergence ………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7 The Risks of Travel in an Increasingly Volatile World …………………………………………………………………. 8 Reputational Threats Stemming From Political and Ideological Controversies ……………………………. 10 Harnessing OSINT for Proactive Executive Protection ……………………………………………………………………….. 11 The Power of Real-Time Social Media Intelligence ……………………………………………………………………. 11 Beyond Social: Leveraging Diverse Open Sources ……………………………………………………………………. 12 Transforming Raw Data Into Actionable Intelligence…………………………………………………………………………… 15 Cutting Through the Noise ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 Rapid Response and Decision Support …………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 The Critical Role of Human Analysis in Modern Executive Protection Strategies ………………………… 18 Recommendations for Implementing a Robust Executive Protection Program ……………………………. 18 Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 About Flashpoint ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

Introduction
Executive security risks are more complex and unpredictable than ever. The distinction between digital and physical threats is disappearing–what begins as an online attack can quickly translate into real-world consequences. From doxxing and misinformation campaigns to location tracking and targeted harassment, publicly available information is increasingly being weaponized against high-profile individuals.
Just a few recent examples illustrate the severity of these risks:
In 2024, threat actors leaked personally identifiable information (PII) of insurance executives, exposing them and their families to potential harm.
Threat actors exploited publicly available information to target a cryptocurrency executive, resulting in their kidnapping and ransom demand.
Russian operatives allegedly targeted executives of German companies supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts, highlighting how geopolitical tensions can put corporate leaders in the crosshairs.
As a result, security teams can no longer rely on traditional protective measures alone. They must anticipate and mitigate threats before they escalate–and that requires timely and actionable intelligence. Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)–described by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as “The INT of first resort”–is defined as the collection and analysis of publicly available information to produce actionable insights. It has become a critical tool in modern executive protection. By leveraging OSINT, security teams can detect early warning signs, monitor online sentiment, and neutralize risks before they become physical threats.
This guide was purpose-built to help security professionals, executive protection teams, and corporate risk leaders harness OSINT to strengthen protection strategies. Inside, you’ll learn how to:
1 Identify and assess the full range of modern executive threats, including the ways in which these threats converge and influence one another.
2 Implement proactive security measures based on established best practices and real-world examples, including removing sensitive information online, setting up targeted threat alerts, preparing for secure travel, and mitigating risks stemming from public stances or controversies.
3 Enhance your OSINT toolkit, leveraging the power of real-time social media intelligence, diverse open sources, geospatial data, and AI-powered analysis to detect threats, identify bad actors, monitor sentiment, and transform raw data into actionable intelligence.

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The Evolving Landscape of Executive Protection
Physical and Cyber Threat Convergence
Threats against executives can take various forms, both in digital and physical spaces. Digital threats such as doxxing, swatting, phishing, and deepfakes–in addition to online attacks on a public figure’s reputation and livelihood–can quickly escalate into physical threats in the real world.

Attack Types
Doxxing Release of private information (e.g., address, phone number, etc.) of an executive, often leading to harassment.
Swatting False emergency call leading to armed police or SWAT team arriving at an executive’s home or office.
Deepfakes Manipulated videos or audio that impersonate executives, leading to reputation damage or misinformation.
Violent Attacks Physical harm directed at an executive, including shootings, stabbings, or threats of such attacks.
Cyber Attacks (Hacking) Targeted hacking attempts against executives, such as stealing emails, financial data, or access credentials.
Insider Threats Attacks by employees or contractors who use their position to harm the company or individual executives.
Harassment/Threats Includes online harassment, phone threats, and other forms of intimidation.
Trolling/Impersonation Incidents where attackers impersonate executives on social media or in communications to damage their reputation.

To illustrate this, consider a few examples: A high-profile CEO’s personal information is leaked online (doxxing), leading to physical harassment at their home. Swatting incidents, where law enforcement is falsely directed to an executive’s address, can place lives at immediate risk. Deepfakes, such as fabricated audio or video, can incite public outrage and result in physical protests or targeted violence. Each of these scenarios demonstrates the tangible impact of digital threats on physical security.
Attack Types: How They Manifest and How to Mitigate
Executive attacks can manifest in various open and difficult-to-access online spaces, making them unpredictable and necessitating robust data collection from diverse sources. Security plans must be multifaceted. Alongside threat intelligence, the following measures should be considered as part of a larger solution.
Doxxing Mitigation Strategy: Personal data protection, social media monitoring, executive investigations
Swatting Mitigation Strategy: Public awareness, Law enforcement relations
Deepfakes Mitigation Strategy: Deepfake detection software, public education
Violent Attacks Mitigation Strategy: Executive and event monitoring, person of interest reporting, security services
Cyber Attacks (Hacking) Mitigation Strategy: Cyber hygiene, MFA, network security
Insider Threats Mitigation Strategy: Employee vetting, access control
Harassment/Threats Mitigation Strategy: Social media monitoring, person of interest reporting, private account settings
Trolling/Impersonation Mitigation Strategy: Brand and reputation monitoring, executive investigations, account verification

In response, security and intelligence leaders must actively bridge the gap between digital and physical threats. By leveraging OSINT tools, teams can monitor online activity for early indicators of potential incidents. This includes setting tailored alerts for keywords and physical locations, analyzing threat actor communications, and preparing contingency plans. Taking proactive measures ensures that potential threats are identified and mitigated before they materialize.

Case Study:
Proactive Action Following Executive Doxxing
One organization’s security team put key OSINT principles into practice after detecting a doxxing attack targeting a C-suite executive by using Echosec, Flashpoint’s geospatial OSINT platform, to search for their organization’s name in combination with “dox” as keywords.
The leaked post exposed the home address, phone number, email, social media accounts, and employer details, not only for the executive, but also their immediate family members.
Having gained early warning through their calibrated alerts, the security team notified the individuals involved and implemented the following protective measures:
The executive and their family changed phone numbers and contact information to prevent further exposure.
The security team deployed private security to protect the executive’s home.
The team submitted content removal requests to limit further spread of the data.
This incident highlights why early threat detection is critical. Without proactive OSINT monitoring, the attack could have escalated into a serious physical security risk. By combining digital intelligence with physical security measures, executive protection teams can stay ahead of threats before they materialize.

Sources of Information
Social Media Public Records Data Breaches Open-Source Tools

Techniques Used
Phishing/Smishing Social Engineering

Impact to Executives and Organization
Cyber Attacks Physical Attacks Reputation Damage Emotional Distress

Mitigation and Protection
Web Monitoring Tailored Intelligence Education

Privacy Tools Removal of Personal Information Cybersecurity Measures

Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact
Rising geopolitical tensions are reshaping the global threat environment, with nation-state actors increasingly leveraging a mix of cyber operations, espionage, and physical sabotage. These tactics, driven by countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, not only destabilize international alliances but also create new challenges for organizations and executives. This era of heightened competition and conflict–referred to by Flashpoint as the “New Cold War”–spans digital, physical, and geopolitical domains, and requires security teams to adapt their strategies to this increasingly hostile hybrid environment.
The New Cold War underscores the critical role of OSINT in anticipating and mitigating threats, a priority reflected in the U.S. State Department’s most recent OSINT strategy which emphasizes the need to “strengthen ties with OSINT practitioners in academia, the private sector, think tanks, and civil society organizations.” By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices across sectors, security teams can enhance their ability to detect threats to executives and respond to threats influenced by the growing interplay of geopolitical tensions and digital risks.
The New Cold War is Hybrid
A convergence of threats across geopolitical, cyber, and physical domains

Geopolitical Hot Spots · Ukraine/Russia · Israel/Palestine · Taiwan Strait · South China Sea · DPRK/ROK · India/Pakistan · The Red Sea (Bab el-Mandeb Strait) · Southern US Border
Copyright ©2025 Flashpoint. All Rights Reserved.

Rogue Cyber Actors
· People’s Republic of China · Russia · Iran · North Korea

Key US Alliances/Security Partners The Five Eyes (US, UK, CA, AU, NZ) NATO (32 members across Europe & US) Quad (Australia, India, Japan, US)

CYBER CONCERNS:

Rise in Infostealers

Evolving cyber crime campaigns

Business implications of APT actors

The Risks of Travel in an Increasingly Volatile World
For corporate executives and political leaders, travel is a required part of the job description. Executive travel carries unique risks: in addition to moving through unfamiliar spaces that can be difficult to secure, security teams often must assess and respond to threats in multiple languages.
One security consultancy recently used Echosec to collect and aggregate open-source data for a client who was traveling to Cairo, Egypt. The company used geospatial capabilities to monitor designated locations and keywords, including the names of the traveling executives and the specific sites they were set to visit. This strategy allowed the security team to receive real-time updates and alerts that were relevant to the executives’ protection.

Tobruk

BUTNAN DISTRICT
Siwa Oasis

MATROUH GOVERNORATE

MAFRAQ GOVERNORATE

Port Said
GHARBIA GOVERNORATE

Jordan

SOUTHERN

DISTRICT

MA’AN

GOVERNORATE

El-Basatin, Cairo Governorate, Egypt 15
SUEZ GOVERNORATE

AL-JOWF PROVINCE

Al Minya

Tabuk

NORTHERN BORDER PROVINCE

The security team received early warning about the exact location of a fire through public geotagged social media data–before the danger was ever reported in the news. This alert allowed the team to warn on-site staff, allowing them to adjust plans and ensure the client’s safety.
Additionally, executives traveling to attend large in-person events are prime targets for malicious actors seeking to cause them harm. Threats such as physical attacks and even assassination attempts increase in crowded or high-profile settings where security may be suboptimal. Criminals or adversarial groups may exploit gaps in event security to execute attacks. It is critical to implement adequate protection and mitigation to reduce risk exposure for key personnel.

Physical Safety Checklist for Executives Attending Events
This checklist, based on Flashpoint intelligence and best practices, is designed to help keep executives safe when attending large in-person events.

Travel and Accommodations
Use company-approved secure transportation and accommodations.
Vary your routines and travel routes to avoid predictability.
Ensure your accommodations have adequate security measures, such as cameras, alarms, and access control systems.
Choose hotels with room doors that face the interior of the main hotel.

Use hotel safes to secure valuables and travel documents.
Identify emergency exits and escape routes.
Have all deliveries (such as food and packages) sent to the hotel’s front desk. Never provide a room number.
Call the hotel’s front desk before opening your room door for unexpected visitors, such as “maintenance” or “housekeeping.”

At the Event
Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity. Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Identify the locations of medical service providers, first aid kits, AED devices, and fire extinguishers.
Identify emergency exits and escape routes.
Establish routes to the nearest medical facility, law enforcement agency, and secure location.

Online Activity
Refrain from posting information on your plans to attend events or while attending them in real time.
Avoid using location tags in your posts and photos by disabling geotagging.
Obfuscate or remove social media images that include readable vehicle license plates, watercraft names, aircraft tail numbers, or home addresses.

Resources for Flashpoint Customers
Monitor chatter related to the event and the executive on Flashpoint’s Ignite and Echosec platforms.
Review Flashpoint Intelligence Reports which assess threats ahead of major events. Additionally, the daily Physical Security DISUM report provides event updates. For specific events not covered by a Flashpoint Intelligence Report, submit a Request for Information (RFI). A RFI is recommended for specific questions about risk associated with an event.

Reputational Threats Stemming From Political and Ideological Controversies
Doxxing and swatting campaigns against private and public executives often follow high-profile business decisions or political events. As organizations see an increase in negative sentiment online, the likelihood of a physical attack increases.

To mitigate these risks, organizations must proactively monitor sentiment, misinformation, and potential information leaks–not only during politically charged moments but as part of an ongoing reputation management strategy. Negative online sentiment can quickly escalate into direct security concerns, making real-time OSINT monitoring essential.

By leveraging OSINT, security teams can track sentiment shifts, detect early warning signs, and adjust protective measures accordingly. A sudden spike in negative sentiment should immediately trigger heightened security awareness and response planning to prevent escalation into real-world threats.

Negative Sentiment
Several social media users expressed negative sentiment towards the company and its CEO alleging that they

Negative Sentiment

Several sDoecci1a8l 2m02e4d, i1a0:2u3saemrs expressed negative sentiments

towards

, alleging that he controls American politicians

like a “puppet master” and accusing him of war crimes.

Calling all

victim protestors

This is the home address of

CEO of

January 10. More details to follow. We are also protesting at

And dont forget the surprise protest we… https://

where we protest on the public sidewalks on HQ.

A striking example of how ideological tensions translate into security threats emerged after the tragic December 2024 shooting of a healthcare industry CEO in Midtown New York City. While the attack itself was an isolated incident, the online response revealed a surge of hostility toward executives in healthcare and finance. Discussions across social
media and fringe platforms portrayed C-suite executives as a “ruling class,” with some users openly celebrating the attack and others calling for further violence.

Volume of Healthcare CEO Mentions Over Time
12

0 Dec `24

02 Jan

04 Jan

06/Jan

08 Jan

10 Jan

12 Jan

14 Jan

16 Jan

18 Jan

20 Jan

22 Jan

24 Jan

26 Jan

28 Jan

This backlash quickly escalated into targeted digital threats, including doxxing, harassment, and calls for realworld action against corporate leaders. Security teams monitoring these conversations observed a clear pattern: as sentiment intensified, the likelihood of credible threats increased. In the weeks following the incident, additional executives in the healthcare industry were doxxed, with their personal information circulating on dark web forums and social media.

Ideological and political conflicts drive intense devotion and commitment among threat actors. For executive protection teams, these conflicts can create heightened security risks, requiring a proactive approach to mitigate potential threats. Security teams must adopt an integrated approach, combining insights from cyber, physical, and geopolitical intelligence to form a complete and unified understanding of the threat environment. For executive protection teams, this case underscores the need for a proactive security posture when public sentiment turns hostile. By integrating OSINT with physical security measures, organizations can identify emerging threats early, deploy protective resources, and implement digital risk mitigation strategies before online rhetoric translates into real-world harm.

Harnessing OSINT for Proactive Executive Protection
The Power of Real-Time Social Media Intelligence
OSINT is a critical resource as security teams seek to reduce information gaps and take more proactive steps to ensure physical security. OSINT is now one of the most important forms of intelligence for allied governments, and its abundance and low barrier to entry make it equally critical for corporations.
The prevalence of social media data has made it one of the most significant sources of data for OSINT. Because these applications are carried around by billions of people on their smartphones, social media data provides security and intelligence teams with unparalleled real-time information on breaking events and public sentiment. The combination of social media content, geospatial data, and other real-time information can help inform protective measures for public and private sector executives.

Detecting Emerging Threats Before They Escalate
While the abundance of social media data provides security teams with a wealth of timely information on the actions of threat actors, it also represents a challenge: how can security teams sift through millions of data points to identify the signals that matter? When using OSINT for executive protection, security teams must develop strategies that allow them to cut through the noise without overlooking relevant information.
By searching for a combination of relevant locations and keywords related to a given executive or official, security analysts can return hundreds of results–sometimes including PII and threatening messages, as well as slang and coded language that must be parsed by experts in order to understand the underlying threat. In one such case, Flashpoint analysts quickly filtered through several hundred posts across dozens of sources, and identified a dox targeting an executive on a dark web forum, including their home address and a call to kill them and their family. The analysts used the information discovered to refine their search query, adding slang terms and specific emojis to reveal additional doxes targeting family members and other public officials.
In the short term, this discovery enabled the security team to protect the executives and their families from the immediate threat. In the long term, this ongoing search strategy ensures that security personnel will gain advance knowledge of any online threat before it’s realized.

Beyond Social: Leveraging Diverse Open Sources
Integrating Data From News Outlets, Forums, and the Deep and Dark Web
While social media is an abundant source of real-time information, a robust OSINT strategy must include a wider range of data sources. Threat actors congregate and exchange information on lesser-known forums and deep and dark web sites. News outlets can provide key alerts to sudden physical threats–including natural disasters and accidents that threaten executive safety. And even an executive’s own online presence can lead to threats.
For example, a company’s “About Us” page can become fodder for doxxing if executives include information about their hometown, hobbies, or family members. Other publicly available materials like earnings reports should be carefully reviewed to remove PII.

Protecting an Executive’s Digital and Physical Footprint
In the age of GenAI, an executive’s digital footprint is no longer limited to written biographies and social media profiles–their voice and image can be weaponized against them.
In 2024, the CEO of Wiz, Assaf Rappaport, stated that he had been targeted by a deepfake attack. Threat actors created the deepfake using audio of the CEO’s voice from a conference presentation; the deepfake voice message was then aimed at capturing employee credentials.

Deepfakes using GenAI are a growing risk to executive reputations. AI-generated video and audio often show signs of manipulation, including visual inconsistencies and artificial tones of voice. These threats will increase as AI tools continue to advance.

Flashpoint Ignite Analytics for Deepfake-Related Search Results Over Time
Total Post Count 80,000
60,000

40,000

20,000

02/01/22 04/01/22 06/01/22 08/01/22 10/01/22 12/01/22 02/01/23 04/01/23 06/01/23 08/01/23 10/01/23 12/01/23 02/01/24 04/01/24 06/01/24 08/01/24 10/01/24

01/01/25

In 2024, a high-profile executive in the cryptocurrency industry was reportedly kidnapped after threat actors exploited publicly available information to track their movements. The incident underscores how digital exposure can translate into physical risk–especially for individuals in industries prone to financial targeting.

Even the best security measures can be compromised if those close to the executive do not follow proper protocols. A single geotagged social media post from a family member or colleague can unintentionally expose sensitive locations. Executive protection is a collective effort, requiring alignment across personal and professional networks to minimize risk.

Physical Safety Self-Check Guidance
Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity. Vary your routines and travel routes to avoid predictability. Use company-approved secure transportation and accommodations. Ensure your residence has adequate security measures, such as cameras, alarms, and access control systems. When travelling, maintain a low profile and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Review and limit location permissions for apps on your mobile device. Adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts to limit who can see your location information. Avoid using location tags in your posts and photos by disabling geotagging. Regularly review and clean up your location history in apps like Google Maps. Align security practices with family, colleagues, and close friends to prevent vulnerabilities.

Mapping Potential Physical Security Risks Using Geo-Enriched OSINT
To maintain executive security in the physical world, event organizers and security teams must be able to seamlessly map information collected online to the physical location itself. Using geospatial data, security teams can filter out everything but the most immediate threats. Monitoring a digital perimeter allows analysts to gather social media content originating from or mentioning a particular area–especially useful for executives traveling overseas and in unfamiliar locations.
In a prominent example, Echosec enabled a security team to monitor specific neighborhoods and travel routes within Rio de Janeiro for relevant content during a high-profile event. This targeted data collection enabled Flashpoint to detect the presence of a weapon within one of its geofences and notify the security team so they could reroute the executive to an alternate location. Without this information, the executive may have encountered a dangerous and highly volatile situation.
The Importance of Continuous Adaptation and Innovation in the Face of Evolving Threats
Above all, an effective approach to executive protection must constantly consider new threats and new sources of information.
Threat actors and extremists frequently congregate on social media networks, chat services, deep and dark websites, imageboards, blogs, and forums. Over the past decade, the security industry has followed extremist communities as they have migrated across different online platforms. Previously, they may have congregated on imageboards and niche forums, including those hosted on the deep and dark web. In more recent years, many of the same communities migrated to Telegram due to promises of encryption and increased privacy. But when Telegram announced in September 2024 that it would provide user data to law enforcement authorities with search warrants, threat actors moved on to applications like Signal that promised end-to-end encryption.
The evolution of sources for OSINT can also be found in the emergence of new social media platforms. Social media sites such as Gab, Parler, and Truth Social gained popularity following claims of censorship on more mainstream platforms. More recently, alternatives to X such as Threads and Bluesky offer new communication channels that should be considered in a robust OSINT program. Effective executive protection requires security teams to gain access to and monitor all popular online platforms–even before they are adopted by threat actors.
Beyond the communication channels, security professionals must keep pace with the tools and techniques used by threat actors to harm their targets. Malware, malicious code, deepfakes, and misinformation are all digital threats that can lead to physical consequences in the real world. Security teams must remain at the cutting edge of these technologies to safeguard the physical safety and reputation of their protectees.

Digital Security Self-Check Guidance
Ensure you are up to date with your organization’s standards for password management and multi-factor authentication. Be cautious about sharing personal information online, especially regarding travel schedules and location details. Ensure your residence has adequate security measures, such as cameras, alarms, and access control systems. Use encrypted messaging platforms and secure email systems for sensitive communications. Ensure family and close contacts follow strong digital security practices. Use a company-approved VPN when accessing public WiFi networks. Be vigilant against phishing scams and suspicious emails. Review and limit location permissions for apps on your mobile device. Adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts to limit who can see your location information. Avoid using location tags in your posts and photos by disabling geotagging. Regularly review and clean up your location history in apps like Google Maps.

Transforming Raw Data into Actionable Intelligence
Cutting Through the Noise

Advanced Filtering Techniques to Focus on High-Priority Threats
There is no single platform from which all executive threats occur. By volume, the majority of threats originate on hightraffic platforms like Telegram. However, while these sources are noisy, the volume of discussion may not correlate with the ambition and means to carry out a legitimate attack. Effective executive protection requires analysts to extract meaningful intelligence from both high-volume and niche sources, ensuring they focus on credible threats rather than just overall activity levels.
Security analysts can limit noise by layering filters and identifying the highest-priority threats. The process typically begins with search terms, allowing analysts to narrow results based on keyword combinations while filtering out irrelevant data. From there, analysts can apply geographic filters to focus on data points originating within range of an executive’s home, office, or travel locations. Lastly, filtering by platform can help prioritize the most relevant sources without arbitrarily dismissing high-traffic networks, which often contain valuable intelligence.

Social Media Alert Configuration

Search Parameters Search Filters

17 data sources
Negative Sentiment 49 2-faced, abruptly, abscond, absence, absent-minded, absentee, absur…

Violent Incidents
abuse, aggravated, aggressive, apprehend, arrest, arson, assail, assas…

ADD FILTER

AI & Natural Language Processing to Understand Context & Sentiment
Filtering through noise to identify the meaningful signal is an evergrowing challenge for executive protection. However, advances in AI and natural language processing (NLP) make it easier to sift rapidly through massive datasets and create actionable insights. Perhaps the most valuable metric in OSINT is “time to insight”– how long it takes for a new, raw data point to become useful intelligence for a human analyst.

Planning & Direction

Dissemination & Feedback

The Intelligence
Lifecycle

Collection

Production

Analysis

Integrated AI functions in OSINT platforms dramatically reduce time to insight by generating recommended keyword, location, and author queries, as well as automatically generating summaries and reports based on the existing dataset. Beyond
simply requesting summaries, users can ask specific questions around context and sentiment–prompting the NLPbacked tool to provide an additional level of analysis. In a matter of seconds, the analyst can gather highly actionable insights to inform potential protective action.

Echosec Assist integrates real-time,actionable AI insights into user research and monitoring workflows.

Rapid Response and Decision Support
Real-Time Alerting Systems for Immediate Threat Awareness
How long does it take for a data point to become registered as a threat? How much advanced warning can OSINT provide to an executive protection team?

In the case of Echosec, new social media posts appear in near-real-time. Executive teams with precisely calibrated filters and alerts can receive these signals almost immediately, allowing them to take decisive protective action when necessary.

In practice, the ability to gain advanced warning of a threat using OSINT depends on the specifics of the event and to what degree executive protection teams are involved in the planning. Dedicated event monitoring informed by geospatial data can dramatically shorten the amount of time needed to process incoming information and provide warning of a potential threat. That warning can make the difference between safety and danger when traveling to an event in an unfamiliar location.

Tailored Alerting for Executive-Specific Concerns

No two executive protection assignments are alike. An effective OSINT strategy should be tailored to the specifics of the executive and any potential threats.
Alerts can be tailored on multiple levels, including who receives the alerts, how frequently, and what sources are included. Each of these decisions should aim to reduce unnecessary noise and focus on delivering useful information. For example, if a political leader has spoken recently about the conflict in Ukraine, they will want to calibrate their alerts to focus on relevant channels. Zeroing in on these data sources ensures that the most important signals will rise to the top and enable teams to appropriately inform their security strategy.

Alerts
New Results Results Summary Proximity Alerts AI Summary Webhooks

Search Parameters

New York, NY, USA breaking news
53 data sources

Threshold Every min Daily Every min Daily Off

Destinations (1) (1) (1) Locations (1) (1) (1)

Location-based alerts are also critical for comprehensive executive protection. For example, a company may set up location-based alerting for specific search terms within range of C-suite executives’ homes, offices, or an event.

Example of Location-Based Alerting for Paris Olympics

North Paris Arena Invalides Hôtel de Ville Grand Palais Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium Elancourt Hill Eiffel Tower Stadium Chateauroux Shooting Centre Château de Versailles

North Paris Arena, Avenue des Nations, Villepinte, France Invalides, Paris, France Hôtel de Ville, Paris, France Grand Palais, Paris, France Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, Rue Paul et Pierre Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France Elancourt Hill, Rue Alain Colas, Élancourt, France Eiffel Tower Stadium, Place Jacques Rueff, Paris, France Chateauroux Shooting Centre, rue Albert Buccialli, Déols, France Château de Versailles, Versailles, France

The Critical Role of Human Analysis in Modern Executive Protection Strategies
Security teams must contend with an overwhelming amount of data, and AI is increasing the scale at which threat actors can operate and create damaging content. The rise of generative AI makes it possible for dangerous groups and individuals to distribute misinformation, generate and improve malicious code, impersonate executives, and create radicalizing content–faster than ever before.
Beyond social engineering threats, attackers also exploit software vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information. For executives, a single unpatched vulnerability on a personal phone, work laptop, or home network can serve as an entry point for attackers to steal PII, track movements, or even plant misinformation. Flashpoint data highlights the growing scope of this threat: in 2024 alone, 37,385 vulnerabilities were disclosed, with over 36% having a publicly available exploit. This surge in exploitable vulnerabilities underscores the challenge organizations face in prioritizing threats and mitigating risks before they are weaponized.
While OSINT is essential to keep pace with this growing volume of data, human analysts must be involved to guide protective strategies and focus on the most relevant dangers. Security teams should calibrate their use of AI to provide the most timely and useful signals to the human analysts making real-world decisions. By combining the speed and scale of AI with human expertise, organizations can stay ahead of adversaries and mitigate AI’s risks.

Recommendations for Implementing a Robust Executive Protection Program
What are the criteria for a robust executive protection program? The following recommendations can improve strategic effectiveness.
Think like a threat actor: After analyzing the executive’s activities and potential threats, work backwards to identify the communities in which a threat may originate and the channels which a threat actor may use to communicate. Evaluate how threat actors communicate, including slang and coded language, to ensure all threatening language is detected.

Ensure protectees take responsibility: Executives can reduce their personal risk by limiting their digital footprint as much as possible–making them more difficult to target in the physical world. From fitness apps to social media accounts, executives can inadvertently share information that puts them in danger. By controlling the flow of information and adopting some standard best practices, the protectees themselves can limit threat actors’ access to information.

Evaluate consequences of public stances: Speaking out on hot-button topics, including geopolitical conflicts, can elevate an executive’s threat profile. Before making public comments, executives and their teams should evaluate the potential consequences and where they may need to begin monitoring for new threats. Executives should work together with marketing and public relations experts to proactively identify the unintended consequences of public commentary.
Stay up to date with industry best practices through associations like ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security) or AIRIP (Association of International Risk Intelligence Professionals). These associations provide education, events, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for security practitioners across various sectors.
Employ a professional OSINT function in your organization with training and tools: Training: To optimize your organization’s OSINT capabilities, consider expanding your team’s knowledge and tradecraft through specialized training. Training will improve your team’s critical thinking skills and empower them to operate with a professional approach to OSINT. Tools: Flashpoint’s geospatial OSINT solution, Echosec, provides data and user-friendly analytical tools to support OSINT efforts. Additionally, Flashpoint provides managed services including Executive Investigations to bolster executive protection efforts.

Conclusion
Today’s executives find risk at the intersection of digital threats and physical actions. Protecting these figures requires targeted, proactive analysis and action–converting raw data into actionable insights that can be leveraged by security teams.
For the security teams responsible for protecting executives, the task will only become more complex in the months and years to come. As threat actors take advantage of emerging technologies–including the newfound scale enabled by AI–security teams must also invest in new tools to stay ahead of their adversaries. The increasing intensity of geopolitical tensions, defined by the battle between powerful nation-states in the New Cold War, also points to the need for persistent protective measures.
Flashpoint combines a comprehensive, industry-leading suite of technology tools with deep human expertise. Our Physical Security Intelligence solution, built on the Echosec platform, provides customers with always-on alerts and insights, including targeted intelligence for event protection and executive travel.
To learn more about how Flashpoint supports executive protection, visit our webpage for Physical Security Threats.

Flashpoint is the leader and largest private provider of threat data and intelligence. We empower mission-critical businesses and governments worldwide to decisively confront complex security challenges, reduce risk, and improve operational resilience amid fast-evolving threats. Through the Flashpoint Ignite platform, we deliver unparalleled depth, breadth and speed of data from highly relevant sources, enriched by human insights. Our solutions span cyber threat intelligence, vulnerability intelligence, geopolitical risk, physical security, fraud and brand protection. The result: our customers safeguard critical assets, avoid financial loss, and protect lives.
Discover more at flashpoint.io.

Documents / Resources

FLASHPOINT Complete to OSINT for Executive Protection [pdf] User Guide
Complete to OSINT for Executive Protection, OSINT for Executive Protection, Executive Protection, Protection

References

User Manual