Corporations need to rethink executive security after UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death, experts say

After the brazen murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last week, experts say companies should rethink their investments in personal security for executives.

Thompson was gunned down outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, in what police are calling a “premeditated, targeted attack.” 

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the shooting death of Thompson, was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and charged with forgery, firearms not to be carried without a license, tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and false identification to law enforcement authorities, according to a police criminal complaint.

Charles Randolph, chief security officer at Ontic, a provider of threat management software, said corporate leaders are now “grappling with one critical question: ‘how vulnerable are we?’” 

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Randolph told FOX Business that companies “are at the epicenter of risk,” caught between “activism, geopolitics and personal grievances.”

“The current operating environment is often polarized, driven by misinformation, divisive rhetoric and overwhelming threat signals,” Randolph said. 

He added that risk manifests in various forms, from cyberattacks that target important infrastructure to “stark reminders like the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, demonstrating that no leader is immune to physical threats regardless of their prominence.”

Today, not only do organizations need to make better risk decisions, but Randolph said leaders should prioritize collecting useful risk information that helps their teams use resources wisely. 

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“Corporations must reassess their threat landscape, particularly as the geopolitical and activist environments evolve,” Randolph said. “A robust understanding of where the organization operates and how emerging issues could affect it is essential to establishing a risk baseline – a foundation for all subsequent strategies.” 

This 2017 file photo of Brian Thompson was released via Businesswire when he was named Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Unit in 2017. (Businesswire / Fox News)

Randolph warned that threats often begin with “subtle signals,” such as an unusual email or an irregularity in the network. 

“If ignored, these indicators can escalate into significant issues,” he said, adding that “effective risk management demands vigilance through strategies like network analysis, sentiment tracking, and anomaly detection to forecast and mitigate threats before they materialize.” 

Gene Petrino, a retired SWAT commander and co-owner of Survival Response LLC, told FOX Business that corporations must start prioritizing the safety of their executives and employees.

Scene near the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan in New York City where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed on Dec. 4, 2024. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital / Fox News)

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However, convincing corporations to invest in comprehensive security programs will require “reframing the conversation,” Petrino said. “It’s not about preventing what ‘might’ happen – it’s about safeguarding the organization’s leadership, reputation and continuity.” 

Effective executive protection should be seen as a strategic investment in organizational resilience, not merely an expense, he said.

“The lack of incidents can make it seem like the investment isn’t necessary, even though it’s the result of proactive security measures,” he said. “This shift in thinking is essential as the risk landscape evolves. Companies that adapt quickly and take proactive steps to mitigate risks are not just protecting their executives; they are safeguarding their future.“

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report