Healthcare security chiefs are bracing for a surge in violence in 2026, said research by G4S and Allied Universal.
The healthcare findings are from the World Security Report, commissioned by Allied Universal and G4S.
2,352 chief security officers (CSOs) in 31 countries at medium and large, global companies with total revenue exceeding $25 trillion took part in the research. 109 CSOs in healthcare were surveyed.
Healthcare violence
While the global average for expected violence against people will rise by only four percentage points this year, from 15%, the healthcare sector reports preparing for a ten point jump to 19%.
Staff and patients are not the only target, though: 85% of security chiefs in the sector identify activist groups as a top physical risk to both their facilities and their corporate leadership.
Security professionals
In response to these rising threats, the sector is placing more value on the unique skillset of security professionals:
- 93% of security chiefs (86% global average) state that frontline security professionals will always be integral to keeping their organisation safe – higher than any other sector
- 91% of healthcare security leaders (84% global average ) say people skills in the security profession are now more important than physical attributes of strength. This is the highest rate of any sector surveyed
Investment
The sector is also investing in the development of their security officers: 43% of security chiefs say employee security training and upskilling is a top budget priority for the next 12 months.
However, the industry recognises the role can be challenging: nearly all (97% vs. 84% global average) security leaders say there are greater demands on frontline security professionals than there were five years ago.
Similarly, 43% identify hiring and retention of security personnel as a top budget priority (36% global average).
“Human intelligence is one of the most effective tools”
Rachelle Loyear, Vice President, Integrated Security Solutions at Allied Universal said: “While many sectors are turning to tech, healthcare is clearly focused on the longevity that security professionals will have in their industry.
“The data shows that security chiefs aren’t looking for brute force, they are looking for specialists.
“By prioritising people skills and de-escalation, the sector is indicating that human intelligence is one of the most effective tools we have to manage physical risks and protect both the people and the facilities that provide essential care,” she concluded.
