CEO of Global Risk Services at Prosegur shares 2024 predictions

The world is becoming a more dangerous place for businesses to operate in, writes Robert L. Dodge, CEO, Global Risk Services, Prosegur.

I have recently commented that we have been dealing with two pandemics over the last few years; the one we are all aware of, COVID-19, and the other is one of fear, violence and uncertainty spreading globally.

As we peek into the future and anticipate the 2024 global threat landscape, these are areas to focus on:

Natural disasters – so far this year, these events have killed over 100,000 people globally; from earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, the volume has been increasing every year with the new records being set now routine.

Organisations need to really focus on emergency preparedness and business resiliency.

2024 will undoubtedly see its share of natural disasters.

A new tension between the US and its allies on one side and China/Russia/Iran on the other seems to be emerging; the side effects from this could put businesses and employees at significantly enhanced risk from proxy attacks/terrorism, cyber-attacks and political detainments/abductions for travellers and corporations.

Enhanced travel risk management for employees will be key as we enter 2024 and this new evolving risk landscape.

Elsewhere, the Israel-Hamas War and Middle East conflict will drive into 2024 and is likely to escalate. This could also fuel a renewed increase in terrorism threats and potential attacks.

Crime and violence – gone on a neighbourhood stroll lately?

For many, their local neighbourhoods are changing and not for the better.

In the US as an example, more than six hundred people have been killed in mass shootings so far in 2023, the highest death toll from mass shootings in at least ten years, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

From my experiences over the last 25 years supporting clients around the globe, I have found that most organisations are frankly overconfident and underprepared to manage major risks and their own business resiliency.

Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese General and Philosopher, accurately stated: “That if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

In modern risk ‘speak’, this simply means how well do you understand the potential existence, capability and intent of a potential threat as well as your own organizational capabilities and vulnerabilities.

The above demonstrates that the world is increasingly a dangerous place and we must all take better responsibility for our own personal security, our employees’ security and our families’ security.

Robert L. Dodge

Robert is a recognised global security expert with over 25 years of experience in security, investigations and consulting.

He has worked on security and investigative projects in more than 90 countries around the world.

Robert currently serves as CEO of Prosegur Global Risk, a key business unit of the world’s third largest security company, where he leads the team that advises some of the largest organisations around the world on risk mitigation and security strategies.

Prior to joining Prosegur, he was Global President of the Corporate Risk Services Division at G4S.

Robert regularly speaks and writes on the matters of security and risk both domestically and internationally.