The Protector's Edge
Leadership Through Strategy And Action
When the next crisis hits, proximity won't save you.
Leadership will.
That's the argument at the heart of The Protector's Edge, written by Fred Burton, Chuck Randolph, and Jonathan Wackrow, three professionals whose careers span national security, military command, intelligence, and law enforcement.
The threats have changed. Assassination culture, digital radicalization, reputational warfare, hybrid cyber-physical attacks: these aren't fringe concerns. They're daily realities. And yet too many security professionals are still trained to react when the moment calls for anticipating and advising long before a crisis lands.
The central thesis is deceptively simple: leadership is the ultimate form of protection. Unpacking that idea takes the whole book. By the end, it's hard to argue otherwise.
Essential reading for protectors, security executives, and anyone who leads at the edge of uncertainty.
Order Today
.png)
Click To Order
Marc Polymeropoulos
CIA Senior Intelligence Service (retired) and current MSNow national security contributor.
With a radically changing threat landscape, including the continuously evolving effect of the ubiquitous technical surveillance environment on the protection industry, this is a must read, an indispensable roadmap for leaders who understand that change is upon us, and we either adapt or fail.
John Miller
CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst; Former Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism of the New York Police Department
This is not your father’s security business. In "The Protector’s Edge: Leadership Through Strategy and Action”, Burton, Randolph, and Wackrow take us into the currents of the threat-stream rapids. They give us a roadmap to intelligence to see problems on the horizon, tactics to confront them, and leadership to develop a team that is ready for all threats. These are “right now problems” which makes this a “right now read”.
Michael T. Evanoff
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security
Author of High Value Target$
Protectors Edge: Leadership Through Strategy and Action is a masterclass in leading under pressure from three exceptional security professionals who have actually lived it; blending real-world insights with timeless principles of trust, foresight, and resilience. It’s an essential read for anyone seeking to navigate high-stakes geopolitical environments with clarity, courage, and strategic influence."
Meet the Authors
Author
Charles Randolph
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.
Chuck 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.
Author
Jonathan Wackrow
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.
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.
Author
Fred Burton
Fred Burton is a former police officer and Diplomatic Security Service special agent with the U.S. Department of State, where he led counterterrorism and protective intelligence investigations, including efforts to pursue those responsible for attacks against U.S. personnel. A New York Times best-selling author and recognized security expert, named one of Security Magazine’s Most Influential People in Security in 2021, he has built a career at the intersection of intelligence, threat analysis, and executive protection. Burton has appeared across major media platforms, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Fox Nation, CNN, Morning Joe, Good Morning America, Drug Wars, and the film SNIPER. He currently serves as a trusted advisor to companies including Ontic, 360Privacy, Altr, and Centerseat.ai, providing guidance on threat intelligence, insider risk, and modern security programs.
"Leadership begins when protection moves beyond tactics and starts shaping outcomes."
-The Protectors Edge
