During a career spanning over fifteen years as a covert field operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Mike specialized in counterterrorism, counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations. He engaged in, organized and supervised operations around the globe, working in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the former Soviet Union and elsewhere. He was recognized professionally for outstanding performance and for operational achievements in hostile environments.
In December 2000, after leaving government service, Mike co-founded Diligence with the goal of building the premier intelligence and risk management firm. As a principal partner over the years he has worked to grow the company as it expanded around the globe, opening offices in London, New York, Washington, Moscow, Brussels and Geneva. He also worked to establish the company’s security operations in Iraq in 2003, as Diligence built a team of over 300 expat and local personnel involved in security and information collection. Based in New York City, Mike now oversees the company’s operations and growth throughout the Americas.
Mike is a regular contributor in the national and international media on intelligence, security and counterterrorism issues. He appears regularly on Fox News, as well as other major media outlets.
In today’s increasingly interconnected and global business community, information is your most valuable commodity. Learn what how to look at the steps, resources and mindset necessary for a company to develop an internal business intelligence unit capable of providing senior management with timely, critical information supporting the company’s strategic goals and vision. Baker explains the intelligence cycle and how it relates to the commercial world.
An examination of the threats, the perpetrators and the methodologies involved by looking at recent case studies, best practices from the commercial world and what our intel, law enforcement and military are doing to protect US interests.
An exploration of the key geopolitical issues that pose as top threats to US National Security. A thorough walk through of current relations and concerns with China, Russia and Iran. Furthermore, what are the dangers and daily protocols to combat the War on Terrorism with insight on the latest from the Middle East and North Korea?
It’s been called the greatest transfer of wealth in history. For the US, aggressive economic espionage by China, Russia and a host of state and non-state actors means lost intellectual property, lost jobs, lost revenues and lost investment potential to the tune of tens of billions of USD per year. As former Operations Officer of the CIA, Mike Baker gives a true examination of the perpetrators, their methodologies and how US corporations, big and small, can protect their interests.
With more than 15 years within the CIA’s Operations Directorate, Baker takes and explains the 10 key rules gathered over the course of his career and show how they directly apply to starting, building, and growing a successful business. Using examples of case studies, stories, and personal experiences from both the Agency operating era and the time spent building Diligence, LLC, rules are shared and reinforced on how to properly lead a global intelligence and security firm.
