Geospatial Intelligence: Enhancing Threat Detection & Response

Liferaft | March 06, 2025

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Corporate security professionals are utilizing the power of geospatial intelligence to transform their risk management and decision-making processes more today than ever, as globalization of interconnected commerce and politics are at an unprecedented high.

This innovative approach combines Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) with sophisticated location data, enabling organizations to gain unprecedented insights into potential threats and opportunities. But to truly appreciate how geospatial intelligence can be a game changer, we are going to look at the history of the concept, its common applications, and how it can be used to bolster corporate security teams charged with protecting people, assets, and brands.

A Look Back at Geospatial Intelligence

Geospatial intelligence leverages the power of location-based data to provide critical insights into various threats and challenges. This technology allows security teams to visualize and analyze the geographic context of activities, significantly enhancing situational awareness and decision-making processes.

Now, here’s a fun fact for you. One of the most famous historical examples of geospatial intelligence is Dr. John Snow's cholera map from 1854.

During a cholera outbreak in London, when the prevailing belief was that cholera spread through poisonous air, Dr. Snow used location data to uncover the actual cause of the epidemic. He collected data on water pump locations and the death toll in different areas. Snow then mapped out the water pump locations and overlaid the death toll data for each street. The visualization clearly showed that the Broadway street pump had a significantly higher number of deaths in its vicinity compared to other pumps, and based on this geospatial analysis, Snow concluded that cholera was a waterborne disease, not an airborne one.

The removal of the handle from the Broadway street pump effectively ended the 1854 epidemic.

Common Uses of Geospatial Intelligence & Benefits to Corporate Security

Ok — let’s fast forward to today, where we see the concept of geospatial intelligence and location data applied in various industries. For instance, retail companies analyze customer demographics, points of interest, and sales data to determine optimal locations for new stores. Banks use location intelligence to evaluate coverage gaps, identify new business opportunities, and determine ideal locations for branches or ATMs. These are just a few applications, but what are the benefits to applying this concept to corporate security?

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Key Benefits of Geospatial Intelligence for Corporate Security

Real-time Monitoring and Assessment of Potential Risks:

Through the utilization of geospatial intelligence, you can continuously track and analyze potential threats as they emerge across various locations. This real-time awareness allows for rapid response to incidents, minimizing potential damage and ensuring business continuity, generally, anywhere in the world where you have satellite offices of staff members travelling.

Something like this will involve monitoring social media feeds, news sources, and other data streams, correlating this information with geographic locations relevant to the company's assets and personnel. For better results, corporate teams should utilize third-party OSINT tools that will pull all of this information for you and display it on an interactive map view.

Improved Employee Travel and Executive Protection Protocols

If travelling, security teams can use geospatial data to plan safe routes for employees and executives to minimize exposure to potential threats. Additionally, geofencing capabilities allow for instant notifications when protected individuals enter or exit predefined safe zones and automated check-ins based on location.

In all, geospatial intelligence enhances travel risk assessments by providing AI-powered analysis based on real-time location data and threat intelligence, enabling personalized risk assessments that consider individual traveler profiles and destination-specific risks. This technology allows for dynamic updates to risk assessments as situations evolve.

Improved Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation

Taking historical incident data and current threat imperatives and overlaying them on geographic information, team leaders and department heads can make more informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to plan for future security needs. Not only does this use of geospatial intelligence allow for staffing effectiveness, it positions a security team to align more closely with overall business objectives, demonstrating the value of security investments to company leadership and stakeholders.

Applications in Corporate Security

The importance of geospatial intelligence is underscored by its ability to save lives in high-stakes scenarios. For example, during Hurricane Maria in 2017, geospatial imaging was used to identify safe evacuation routes and helicopter landing zones for emergency aid delivery in Puerto Rico’s drastically altered landscape.

In another reported case, during a business trip, an employee found themselves in an area affected by sudden political unrest. Using automated OSINT tools integrated with geospatial data, their security team quickly identified safe zones nearby and coordinated with local authorities to extract the employee safely. This rapid response was made possible by real-time monitoring of social media and news feeds within the affected region.

Tips for Getting the Message Across

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is a powerful tool for keeping employees safe, particularly those traveling for business. However, it’s important to recognize that business travelers are not traditional consumers of intelligence. They may lack the familiarity with threat intelligence that security professionals take for granted, which can create challenges in ensuring they understand and act on the information provided.

Even the most comprehensive threat assessment loses its value if the intended audience doesn’t read it, follow its recommendations, or understand its relevance. To increase the likelihood that your audience will engage with and act on your intelligence reports, consider these best practices:

Clarify the Value of Threat Intelligence: Many private-sector audiences are familiar with business or market intelligence but may not fully grasp the purpose or importance of threat intelligence. Take time to explain how your briefings can help protect employees and assets, whether through formal presentations or informal discussions. This is especially critical in organizations new to having an intelligence function.
Avoid Overly Technical or Military Jargon: Many OSINT analysts come from military or government backgrounds, but private-sector audiences may find this terminology intimidating or confusing. Use clear, straightforward language that aligns with the vocabulary used within your organization to make your reports more accessible and relatable.
Provide Clear, Actionable Recommendations: Threat intelligence should go beyond describing risks—it should guide decision-making. Always include specific actions your audience can take in response to the threats you’ve identified. A strong call to action ensures your reports are practical and impactful.
Adapt to Company Culture: Intelligence teams sometimes feel disconnected from their organization’s broader culture, which can create barriers between them and their audience. To bridge this gap, align your reports with company norms by using familiar templates, fonts, and terminology. This helps integrate your work into the organization’s existing communication style.
Tailor Delivery Formats to Audience Preferences: Different audiences consume information in different ways. Some may prefer concise written briefings, while others might engage better with videos or podcasts. Ask key stakeholders how they prefer to receive information and adapt accordingly to maximize engagement and comprehension.
Seek Feedback: Regularly solicit input from decision-makers who use your reports. Ask what they found most helpful, what could be improved, and whether they acted on your recommendations. This feedback can uncover valuable insights that help refine your approach over time.

The Wrap Up

Geospatial intelligence, when combined with OSINT and advanced technologies like AI, is revolutionizing corporate security. Through the integration of diverse data sources, such as social media feeds, satellite imagery, and real-time news updates with precise geographical information, you can create a comprehensive, dynamic picture of your operational environment.

This fusion of OSINT and geospatial data empowers security professionals to anticipate risks, optimize resource allocation, respond swiftly to emerging threats, and track global events that may impact operations.

Moreover, this approach enhances executive protection by enabling real-time monitoring of high-risk areas during travel, facilitates more effective crisis management through improved situational awareness, and supports strategic planning by identifying long-term trends and patterns in global security. As a result, companies are not only strengthening their security capabilities but also gaining a competitive edge by leveraging geospatial intelligence to navigate complex global environments more effectively.