The targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through the executive protection industry, prompting immediate reviews of security protocols and a surge in requests for risk assessments. Experts predict a temporary increase in security contracts, but warn that complacency may return in the long run.

Thompson was shot three times in a pre-planned attack outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. Surveillance footage captured the assassin, whose face was concealed, using a pistol equipped with a silencer. The calm and professional manner of the attack, coupled with the apparent insider knowledge of Thompson's routine, has raised significant concerns among security professionals.

Michael Balboni, a former New York Homeland Security advisor, reported a direct link between the assassination and increased inquiries for executive protection services at his firm, Redland Strategies Inc. He emphasized the immediate need for threat assessments targeting key personnel, not just physical infrastructure. However, Balboni anticipates a decline in vigilance over time, referencing a similar pattern following increased security measures during the Black Lives Matter movement.

Retired NYPD detective Pat Brosnan, CEO of Brosnan Investigations Group, revealed that the assassination triggered emergency meetings among chief security officers nationwide. The assassin's composure, specialized equipment, and apparent access to Thompson's schedule have fueled anxieties. Brosnan believes this incident will force security professionals to re-evaluate their strategies to prevent similar attacks.

Adding to the intrigue, security expert Philip Klein, whose company previously provided protection for Thompson, expressed surprise that the CEO was without a security detail at the time of the incident. This raises questions about UnitedHealthcare's security protocols and the perceived level of risk prior to the attack.

Reports indicate that Thompson's wife had previously mentioned threats against her husband, further underscoring the potential danger he faced. While the immediate response to the assassination has been a heightened focus on security, the challenge remains to maintain this vigilance in the long term and overcome the common tendency towards complacency.