The Protector’s Edge: Leadership Through Strategy and Action
About this ebook
This book translates protective tradecraft into strategic decision-making, showing how intelligence, technology, and human judgment combine to anticipate risk, enable continuity, and build trust before crises emerge. Through real-world case studies, leadership insights, and operational lessons, the authors outline how protection professionals must move beyond daily operations and think like business leaders—integrating risk intelligence, influencing cross-functional teams, and aligning protective strategies with organizational goals. The twelve chapters provide concrete frameworks that show how protectors can lead themselves, their teams, and their principals through crises ranging from active shooter incidents to reputational attacks.
Written by three recognized leaders in the protection profession, this book combines decades of experience to deliver practical insights and strategic vision. It challenges experienced protectors, security leaders, intelligence professionals, and risk managers to think beyond the current mission and invest in developing the next generation of protective leaders. The Protector’s Edge reframes protection as a strategic capability, one that strengthens leadership, continuity, and resilience rather than serving as a reactive safeguard.
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About the author
Charles “Chuck” Randolph is a recognized leader in protective intelligence, executive protection, and enterprise risk leadership, with more than 30 years of experience spanning military, government, and the private sector. He has led global security, intelligence, and executive protection programs at Microsoft, Ontic, and AT-RISK International and currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at 360 Privacy.
A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Randolph was recognized for valor during combat operations in Afghanistan and spent his military career leading pioneering Information Operations initiatives. He is a co-founder of the International Protective Security Board (IPSB) and the Pathfinder Collective and is a frequent speaker and published author on protective intelligence, resilience, and security leadership.
Jonathan Wackrow is a CNN Law Enforcement Analyst and former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent with more than 25 years of experience in national security, executive protection, and crisis response. He served on the Presidential Protective Division, serving on the President’s and First Lady’s details. He developed and led security operations worldwide, working with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and the military to protect senior government officials and visiting foreign dignitaries. He also played key roles in securing National Special Security Events, including the Presidential Inauguration and the United Nations General Assembly.
In the private sector, Wackrow has provided exclusive on-air analysis for CNN on law enforcement and national security, as well as coverage of critical incidents, for over 10 years. Wackrow is Managing Director of Sentinel Resource Group, advising Fortune 500 companies, boards, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on enterprise risk, executive protection, and organizational resilience.
Fred Burton is a former police officer, special agent and New York Times best-selling author, recognized in 2021 by Security Magazine as one of the Most Influential People in Security. As an author, terrorism and protective intelligence expert, Burton has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Fox Nation, CNN, Morning Joe, Good Morning America, Drug Wars, SNIPER film, and many others. He is an advisor to several companies, to include Ontic, 360Privacy, Altr, and Centerseat.ai.
