Christopher Palmadesso is a security consultant with Kroll in Morristown, New Jersey, where the role is Associate Managing Director, Enterprise Security Risk Management.
About Christopher Palmadesso
Christopher Palmadesso is an Associate Managing Director in the Enterprise Security Risk Management practice at Kroll, based in New Jersey. He has more than 18 years of experience in threat management, vulnerability assessments, and business continuity management.
Before Kroll he was the senior intelligence representative for the DHS Chief Intelligence Officer in Vermont and New Jersey, overseeing suspicious activity awareness training and intelligence oversight for nearly 1.5 million first responders, and he worked at the National Counterterrorism Center as a senior intelligence analyst and briefer. He provided intelligence support during national special security events, including the Boston Marathon bombing response, Super Bowl XLVII, and the 2015 Papal Visit to New York and Philadelphia, and he authored and briefed nearly 200 intelligence products and assessments.
He began his career as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard, spending eight years on active duty as a Maritime Safety and Security Team law enforcement training and federal boarding officer with more than 2,000 national security boardings. He holds a B.S. in political science from the Catholic University of America and an M.A. in history from Norwich University.
Christopher’s work covers: Threat management, Vulnerability assessments, Business continuity management, Intelligence analysis, Major event security support.
Industries served include Government, Public safety, Critical infrastructure, Corporate.
What Christopher Palmadesso focuses on
Physical security assessments
A physical security assessment looks at a site the way a determined offender would. Christopher Palmadesso examines perimeter and access control, lighting, sightlines, surveillance coverage, staffing, policies and how people actually move through the space. The result is a written set of findings ranked by risk, with practical recommendations that leadership can budget for and act on. You can also browse other physical security assessments consultants in the directory.
Emergency preparedness
Good emergency plans are short, practical and practiced. Christopher Palmadesso helps organizations build emergency action plans, run tabletop exercises and drills, and coordinate with first responders so that staff know what to do in the first critical minutes of a fire, severe weather event, medical emergency or active threat.
Credentials matter because they are earned, not bought. Board certifications from ASIS International and designations from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants require documented experience, a rigorous exam or peer review, and ongoing professional education. When you compare consultants, ask which credentials each holds, who issued them and whether they are current.
How Christopher Palmadesso approaches an engagement
Start with the facts
Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. Christopher Palmadesso reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.
Measure against recognized standards
Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.
Practical, prioritized recommendations
Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.
Clear communication
Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. Christopher Palmadesso explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.
Who Christopher Palmadesso works with
Christopher works with clients in Government, Public safety, Critical infrastructure, Corporate.
Every organization is different, so the first step is always to understand your goals, your constraints and what has already been tried. Whether you need a one time review, ongoing advice or support for a specific project or case, Christopher Palmadesso can explain what a realistic scope looks like and what results you can expect.
Signs it is time for a security review
A recent incident, threat or near miss on the property or in the organization
A new building, renovation, change of use or expansion
Concerns raised by employees, tenants, guests, insurers or auditors
Security policies and post orders that have not been reviewed in years
Cameras, access control or alarms that were installed piece by piece without a plan
Litigation, a claim or a demand letter that questions the adequacy of security
If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as Christopher Palmadesso can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.
Why an independent security consultant matters
Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets Christopher Palmadesso give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.
Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.
Questions to ask before hiring a security consultant
What experience do you have with properties, organizations or cases like ours?
Which professional certifications do you hold, and from which bodies?
Are you independent, or do you sell products or services you might recommend?
What will the final deliverable look like, and who will see it?
How is the fee structured, and what is included?
For litigation: how often have you testified, and for which side?
A good consultant will welcome these questions. Christopher Palmadesso can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.
Frequently asked questions
When should an organization bring in a security consultant?
The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.
What does an independent security consultant provide that a vendor cannot?
An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.
What happens during a typical engagement with Christopher Palmadesso?
Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.
Does Christopher Palmadesso work outside New Jersey?
Christopher is based in Morristown, New Jersey and works through Kroll.
How much does a security assessment or expert review cost?
Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask Christopher Palmadesso for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.
How long does a review usually take?
A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.
How do I contact Christopher Palmadesso?
Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Kroll. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.
Working with Christopher Palmadesso
Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, Christopher Palmadesso recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.
What to prepare before your first call
A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, Christopher Palmadesso can quickly suggest the right next step.
Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact Christopher Palmadesso, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.
Advanced Physical Security Training Program (FLETC) · Ed.D. Johns Hopkins University · School Safety Leadership Certification (National School Safety Center)