Terrorism: What it's not.
A breakdown of the common misconceptions around terrorism, and why many threats are misunderstood from the start.
My insight comes from years in high-risk environments, reading threats from within and seeing them unfold. I use a form of pattern recognition shaped by real-world experience, and centered on three core capabilities that go beyond theory:
Adversaries exploit disconnected systems by blending physical, digital, and human access into unified attacks. These moves bypass traditional defenses with unexpected results. I help you understand and simulate these patterns through red teaming, then restructure your systems to close gaps and unlock better internal integration.
I step into the mindset of your adversaries, seeing your environment as they do, adapting with their logic, and projecting how and where they'll strike. This practiced methodology, built on real-world experience, produces predictive threat profiles with uncommon clarity, drawn from signals most overlook and patterns others miss.
Operational Geometry is powered by spatial thinking and shaped by experience watching systems succeed and fail from within. I quickly see how systems are built, how parts interact in space and time, and where pressure or ambiguity creates risk. It's a way of reading the operational environment as terrain, where flows, chokepoints, and decisions become clear before the problem unfolds.
"In the shadows of chaos, we bring clarity. In the face of threat, we bring resolve." Andrew Darst
Terrorism SpecialistContractAs a Counter-Terrorism Consultant, Andrew worked in close cooperation with law enforcement, providing vital information, analysis, and services on various subjects, including National Special Security Events (NSSE) and critical infrastructure protection.
Security DirectorMobile Clinic Group During his time with a mobile clinic group operating in Haiti, Andrew was responsible for the safety and security of medical staff, patients, and local partners, utilizing threat forecasting and intelligence to navigate changing circumstances and provide essential services to underserved populations..
Founder and CEOFoxPoint SecurityAs President of FoxPoint Security, Andrew built and managed an offensive security startup specializing in penetration testing, assessments, and consultations, focusing on strengthening clients' physical and digital security through staff management, client relationships, and visionary leadership.
Emergency ServicesMunicipal AgencyIn a demanding role as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, Andrew exhibited exceptional skills and resilience by managing a diverse array of medical and fire emergencies, earning accolades as a top responder and exemplifying a mastery of adaptability and tenacity in critical situations.
InvestigationsCollateral Recovery FirmWith experience in collateral recovery, Andrew performed critical tasks such as skip tracing, fraud investigation, negotiation, and logistics of resources, skillfully locating and repossessing assets while maintaining the delicate balance of customer service.
Corporate SecurityEnterprise HealthcareWithin the complex and varied roles of a corporate security team for an enterprise healthcare provider, Andrew was instrumental in safeguarding people, property, corporate, and PHI information. His adept handling of a multitude of challenges, ranging from de-escalation for patients in crisis to crime prevention, theft, facility emergencies, and mitigation of organization-wide disruptions in patient care, underscores his expertise and commitment to excellence.
A breakdown of the common misconceptions around terrorism, and why many threats are misunderstood from the start.
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These Cold War-era rules endure not for their origin, but for the psychological edge they still provide.
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