Stephen Ward

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.