Skip to Content
Leadership

Stephen Ward

Stephen Ward headshot

Expertise

  • Global Investigations
  • Executive Protection Assignments for Special Events
  • Emergency Planning and Response
  • Brand Protection
  • Cyber Security
  • Supply Chain Security
  • Intellectual Property Protection

Education & Certificates

  • B.S. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton
  • Certification in Trademark and Patent Law from New York University
  • Certification in Cybersecurity, Managing Risk Information & Data from Harvard University
  • Certification in Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing and Advanced Interrogation Techniques

Stephen Ward

CEO & Principal

As the CEO and Founder of Polaris Risk (polarisrsk.com), Steve Ward leverages over 30 years of experience to help clients address security vulnerabilities within the global business environment. He focuses on the evolving landscape of global threats—both physical and digital—providing expertise in security program assessments, design, and implementation. Steve leads the delivery of services spanning security consulting, executive protection, cyber advisory, intelligence services, and investigative programs. He works closely with multinational corporations, financial institutions, law firms, and small to mid-sized businesses that face threats to their people, assets, and brand. His areas of specialization include kidnap and ransom (K&R) consulting, digital extortion response, crisis management planning, and extractions from hostile environments.

Before founding Polaris, Mr. Ward served as the CEO of an investigations and intelligence company acquired by Pinkerton. After the acquisition, he served as Vice President of Operations EMEA and United States – East Coast and Vice President of Global Brand Protection and Intellectual Property Protection Services for Pinkerton. Mr. Ward is an active member of the International Trademark Association, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Anti-Fraud Network, American College of Forensic Examinations, and Forbes New York Business Council. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton, a Certification in Trademark and Patent Law from New York University, and a Certification in Cybersecurity, Managing Risk Information & Data, from Harvard University.

Let’s Talk

From regional offices in North America, EMEA and APAC, Polaris navigates its clients through the global risk landscape.

    JSA Spotlight Sit-Down Series feat. Steve Ward

    Incident Report—Tracking Civil Unrest in LA: Safety Measures for Local Personnel

    Overview of Civil Unrest in Los Angeles, CA & Recommended Best Practices Please note that Intelligence Reports – though rooted in a historical review of events and relevant current intelligence – are based partly on prediction, as they are meant to anticipate potentially credible threats to a particular person, entity, or location at a particular […]

    The Polaris Approach to Internal Misconduct Matters

    In the event of internal misconduct, the long-term health of your business – and the continued trust of your clientele – depend on a timely, comprehensive assessment. When up to seventy-five (75%) percent of employees have stolen from their employers on at least one occasion, or when the average internal data breach can cost employers […]

    Polaris Risk Presents: What to Know About Ransomware Attacks

    With cybersecurity risks consistently dominating news cycles, designing a capable digital defense can feel daunting. To help you and your company understand and address these risks, Polaris has prepared this overview of essential considerations. Breaches More Frequent Then Ever The IDC has found that as many as one third of all global businesses faced a […]

    The Polaris Approach to Board & vCISO Cyber Consulting

    Cybersecurity isn’t only an IT problem – it’s a company-wide responsibility. Ransomware, phishing attacks, and malware are unfortunate facts of modern business. Remote work, cloud solutions, and international conflicts have made cyberattacks frighteningly common – prompting the intervention of the Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under new SEC regulations, certain Boards are required to detail […]

    The Polaris Approach to Cyber Readiness & Resilience

    Though cyberattacks target your digital environment, they pose a real-world threat to your company’s operations. Recent breaches, ransomware attacks, and data leaks have targeted providers across finance, education, healthcare, IT, retail, and other major industries.  Each attack represents an evolution in attackers’ software and strategy, as bad actors adapt their tools and strategies to innovative […]

    The Polaris Approach to Customized Intelligence Monitoring 

    Conduct Smarter, Risk-Conscious Business with Polaris’ Bespoke Intelligence Monitors Given the pace of data in the current Information Age, it is vital that your company can both manage and analyze the constant flow of relevant intelligence with sophistication and efficiency. Polaris’ intelligence reports curate relevant content across key threat vectors, including Health Risks, Natural Disasters […]

    The Polaris Approach to Mitigating Workplace Risks

    Persistent, tragic shootings – often committed by disgruntled current and/or former employees – have illustrated the importance of sensitive, diligent workplace security. As the current economic downturn continues to force layoffs, angered former employees are more likely to disrupt your working environment – sometimes through planned or unplanned acts of violence, threats against offices or […]

    The Polaris Approach to Mitigating Active Shooter Risks

    The twilight of the COVID-19 pandemic meant a return to offices, schools, places of worship, malls, movie theaters, and other public venues – and the re-emergence of an unfortunate but familiar threat is resurfacing: the active shooter.  In an April 2023 report, the FBI noted that active shooter incidents had increased by 66.7% since 2018, […]
    Back to top

    Brochure Download

    Please fill out this info to gain access to our 4 brochures.

    • General Services
    • Cybersecurity Services
    • Executive Protection Services
    • Intelligence Services

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.