Security Executive Council - Experts & Thought Leaders

Vigilis AI, the AI-powered operating system for physical security, and the Security Executive Council (SEC), the leading research and advisory organization, announced their strategic partnership.  Partnership details The partnership brings together Vigilis AI's operational technology and the SEC's expertise in helping security leaders improve organizational effectiveness and reduce risk — with a shared focus on advancing industry discussions around security force optimization and augmentation. This includes how real-time operational intelligence and AI-enabled workflows can help improve frontline execution, workforce consistency, communication, and decision-making across distributed security environments. About Vigilis Vigilis was founded to address a longstanding operational challenge in physical security: most systems are built to document incidents after they occur rather than support officers in the moment. Through its voice-first AI assistant, VAL (Vigilance, Assistance, Leadership), the company enables security officers, supervisors, and security leaders to access guidance, execute workflows, document activity, and communicate operational intelligence in real time. Collaboration to help security leaders As part of the collaboration, Vigilis and the SEC will work together on industry education, executive engagement, strategic advisory discussions, and solution innovation initiatives designed to help security leaders modernize operational execution while improving visibility, responsiveness, and decision-making across distributed environments. “Physical security teams have spent years operating with fragmented tools designed primarily for after-the-fact reporting,” said Dan Wachtler. “We believe the industry is entering a new operational era, one where AI supports frontline personnel in real time, improves consistency of execution, and helps security organizations operate with greater clarity, increased risk mitigation responsiveness, and strategic value. On a personal note, I have known Bob and the SEC for over 30 years, their talent and research represents the best the industry has to offer.” Integrated security programs The collaboration also reflects a broader industry shift toward operationally integrated security programs combining people, processes, intelligence, and technology into unified risk-management ecosystems. (Collaboration Is Key to Expanding the Definition of Security) “Security leaders are increasingly looking for solutions that move beyond passive reporting and help organizations operate more intelligently in real time,” said Bob Hayes. “Vigilis brings a unique operational perspective to the market by focusing on frontline execution, communication, and decision support. We look forward to working together to explore how emerging technologies can support more effective and resilient security operations.” VAL deployment Vigilis is currently deploying VAL across multi-site security environments, including commercial real estate, mobile patrol operations, and enterprise security programs seeking greater operational consistency, reporting quality, and real-time situational awareness.

A new public facing analysis of executive targeting reveals a sharp escalation in threats against senior corporate leaders, with incident levels reaching their highest point on record in 2025. The study, Executive Targeting Report: Analysis of Attacks on Corporate Executives from 2003-2025, documents 424 targeted incidents worldwide between 2003 and October 31, 2025, drawing on open source reporting from verified media and public records. As of late 2025, incident volume had already doubled total 2024 levels, marking a 100% year over year increase. Protest related actions Physical activity accounted for 85% of incidents, including assaults, kidnappings, stalking, and protest related actions. Cyber incidents made up 14%, such as death threats, impersonation, swatting, and account compromise, while hybrid cases continued to emerge at the intersection of online and physical threat behavior. One third of incidents resulted in death or physical injury. The dataset was originally developed by a Fortune 500 corporate security leader and later expanded through a multi year collaboration involving the Security Executive Council (SEC) and Mercyhurst University’s Business Intelligence & Innovation (BI²) Lab, with analytical support from the Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis, and Training (CIRAT). Key findings include: CEOs remain the most targeted (64%), though attacks against non CEO senior executives are increasing. Technology and financial services executives accounted for more than one third of incidents. Female executive targeting reached record levels in 2025, despite males remaining the primary targets overall. Weapons were present or suspected in 37% of incidents, with firearms involved in 22%. Personally motivated attacks, while less frequent, were disproportionately dangerous, with 70% involving armed assailants. Ensuring appropriate awareness The analysis also highlights rising workplace and residential targeting since 2020 and growing convergence between digital threats and physical approaches. “Threat actors are no longer focusing on a single executive profile—targeting has broadened across leadership tiers,” said Bob Hayes, SEC Managing Director. In light of the seriousness of the findings, and guided by a duty of care, the SEC is releasing this information to the public to ensure appropriate awareness and preparedness.

The Security Executive Council is proud to add Greg Wurm to our esteemed Emeritus Faculty of security experts. Greg’s most recent role was Vice President and Chief Security Officer at Elevance Health, Inc., a Fortune 20 company with more than 100,000 associates globally and more than $175 billion in revenues. Prior roles of Greg As the CSO for more than 10 years, Greg led a diverse, award-winning team responsible for the global security and safety of associates and facilities, physical security operations and technology, security strategy, crisis management, threat management, security risk management, executive protection, and health and safety programs.  He also served as the co-chair for the company’s enterprise-wide crisis management committee. Educational background of Greg  Greg has a Master of Science degree in criminal justice and a BS degree in business administration Greg has a Master of Science degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the Domestic Security Executive Academy at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 205th Session. Greg is also board-certified by the American Society for Industrial Security as a Certified Protection Professional. Greg is a member of OSAC, where he serves as a Partner and the Private Sector Chair. He played a key role in the transition of OSAC into a Public-Private Partnership. Greg’s industry and organizational changes “Greg’s public and private sector career spans significant industry and organizational changes,” said Bob Hayes, Managing Director of the SEC. “His experience managing security through transformations will be valuable in assisting client organizations that are experiencing similar change.”