Companies must rethink security after death of UnitedHealthcare CEO, experts say

After the tragic killing 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 shot and killed outside a midtown Manhattan hotel 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, criminal possession of a weapon and false law enforcement identification. authorities, according to a police criminal complaint.

Charles Randolph, chief security officer at Ontic, a provider of threat management software, said corporate leaders now “face one key question: ‘How vulnerable are we?’

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Randolph told FOX Business that companies are “a hotbed of danger,” caught between “activism, geopolitics and personal grievances.”

“Today’s workplace is often divisive, driven by misinformation, divisive rhetoric and threatening symbols,” Randolph said.

He added that the risk manifests itself in a variety of ways, from cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure to “strong reminders like the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which shows that no leader is immune to physical threats no matter how prominent.”

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

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“Companies need to reassess their risk profile, especially as the political and activist environment evolves,” said Randolph. “A solid understanding of where the organization operates and how emerging issues can affect it is critical to establishing a risk baseline – the basis for all subsequent strategies.”

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

Randolph warned that threats often start with “subtle signs,” such as unusual email or network anomalies.

“If ignored, these indicators can lead to significant problems,” he said, adding that “proper risk management requires vigilance by using techniques such as network analysis, sentiment tracking, and anomaly detection to predict and mitigate threats before they occur.”

Gene Petrino, a retired SWAT commander and co-owner of Survival Response LLC, told FOX Business that companies need to start prioritizing the safety of their managers and employees.

The 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, companies making sure to invest in comprehensive security systems will need to “reframe the conversation,” Petrino said. “It’s not about preventing what might ‘happen’ – it’s about protecting the organization’s leadership, reputation and continuity.”

Effective management protection should be seen as a strategic investment in organizational sustainability, not just an expense, he said.

“The lack of incidents can make it look like the investment is unnecessary, even though it is the result of the security measures in place,” he said. “This shift in thinking is critical as the risk landscape changes. Companies that adapt quickly and take immediate steps to reduce risk are not just protecting their executives; they are protecting their future.”

Louis Casiano of Fox News contributed to this report