Think About it -- Consequences of Security Decisions

Think About It Think About it -- Consequences of Security Decisions
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Faith Based Security NetworkFaith Based Security Network

Dec 7, 2024

The public expressed shock and dismay that the CEO of a large corporation could be killed in cold blood this week. United Health Care CEO, Brian Thompson was walking to the UHC annual meeting of investors when an assassin emerged from an ambush position and killed him, purposely leaving evidence of the intentionality of the attack.

Thompson has emerged in subsequent reports as a nice, young married father of boys who kept a low profile and wouldn’t hurt anyone. Many ask, “why?

United Health Group (the parent corporation of UHC) was getting ready for the annual investors meeting and had disclosed they were heading towards a $450-$455 BILLION dollar year. If your lake of influence is that big, there is a lot of shoreline (places where you connect with the public). A small tire shop in a farm community is going to have customers, competitors or complainers who have some reason for wishing them gone. You can’t operate a multi-billion dollar company without enemies.

How can people sit on the board of a company that large and not recognize the dangers? Any sector (including churches and law-enforcement) has enemies who would like to inflict harm in the most memorable way.

The UHC killer left behind 3 unfired cartridges and 3 fired ones. Some of them were inscribed, “Deny”, “Defend” or “Depose.”

Investigators feel these are direct references to the insurance industry’s stance on claims management. It seems to be a play on words derived from the 2010 book on insurance named, “Delay, Deny, Defend.” The subtitle is, “Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims And What You Can Do About It.”

The stock value of UHC tumbled in the days following the attack. Certainly not the results UHC leaders were looking for from their annual investors meeting. Corporations (Insurance related and others) since have announced efforts to examine security by,

Removing leadership profiles from websites
Setting up risk evaluation procedures
Considering protocols associated with Executive Protection
Considering armed protection for executives

Somewhere within past board or leadership discussions, someone (or group) decided against security protocols that would have better protected UHC leaders.

Think About it

To be right when opposing security could mean your influence saved the organization some percent of costs to contribute to equity.

To be wrong when opposing security could have devastating results, including loss of life.

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