New security research titled the ‘World Security Report,’ has revealed a spike in the threat of violence towards company executives.
The research was conducted by a third-party research firm, contracted by G4S and Allied Universal.
The global report surveyed 2,352 chief security officers (CSOs) or those in equivalent roles, working for medium and large, global companies, in 31 countries with total annual revenue exceeding $25 trillion.
The study also incorporates the perspectives of 200 global institutional investors managing over $1 trillion in assets.
Misinformation and disinformation (incorrect or purposely false) is pervasive and can put senior executives at greater risk of harm.
According to the company, three quarters of CSOs (75%) say their companies were targeted by such a campaign last year and 42% say mis/disinformation motivates at least half of threat actors targeting their businesses.
Activist groups, who often deploy this, increasingly pose a physical security risk to facilities and executives, according to 85% of investors.
“This impacts me personally and professionally”
Steve Jones, Allied Universal Global Chairman and CEO said: “In a world of increasing polarisation and when mistruths and untruths can be shared instantaneously, companies and their senior leaders face heightened risks.
“As a CEO, this impacts me personally and professionally. Now more than ever, personal safety is on my mind and the minds of my loved ones.
“Professionally, I’ve seen an increase in our customers’ concern for the safety of their employees.”
Financial impact
The report also finds the financial impact of security incidents is substantial.
A quarter of security chiefs (26%) reported revenue losses following an incident last year with the average company losing at least $9 million.
In total the companies surveyed lost close to $1 trillion in revenue due to physical security incidents.
This is consistent with the 2023 findings.
Investors say a physical security incident could impact the value of a publicly listed company by up to 32%, up 3% compared to 2023.
“A corporate value driver”
Ashley Almanza, executive chairman of G4S, Allied Universal’s international business commented: “The ramifications of a security incident can be considerable and go beyond taking a short-term financial hit.
“Investors say the impact can be much more damaging and long-lasting, particularly when reputation and shareholder value is concerned.
“Given how high the stakes are, business leaders are increasingly recognising that robust physical security is a corporate value driver and should be central to their corporate governance and risk management strategy,” Almanza concluded.
Key Findings
The measures to mitigate the threat of violence to company executives:
- 49% of security chiefs say they have enhanced their security procedures (i.e. enhanced background checks, on site firearms or explosives screening)
- 45% say they are carrying out risk assessments for leaders (i.e. pre-event assessments, travel risk management, Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures)
- 44% are monitoring online threats (i.e. social media, deep web, dark web)
- 40% are offering training and preparedness for leaders (i.e. self-defense, situational awareness, de-escalation tactics)
- 35% are providing leaders with personal/close security personnel
- 34% are providing leaders with personal protective equipment (e.g., body armor, secure vehicles, emergency escape masks)
- 25% are providing family protection for leaders
Security-impacting hazards:
- 78% say geopolitical tensions will compromise the security of their supply chains
- Economic instability is the dominating hazard over the next year, 44% say, up from 36% in 2024
- 33% say climate change events (e.g. long-term shifts in weather patterns, extreme temperatures), up from 29% in 2024
- 30% say disruption to energy supplies, up from 27% in 2024
- 29% say war or political instability, up from 22% in 2024
External security threats:
- Over the next 12 months, external threats are expected to jump to the same level as internal threats, which were previously more significant
- Fraud is expected to increase to 30% next year, up from 22% in 2024
- Theft of company physical property is anticipated to rise to 28%, from 20% in 2024
- Malicious damage to company property is expected to jump to 27%, from 16% in 2024
Internal security threats:
G4S highlighted that the top two internal security threats for the next year are leaking sensitive information (32%) and unauthorised access to company resources or data (28%).
The top drivers of intentional insider threats include:
- Financial dissatisfaction (36%)
- Misinformation or external radicalisation (39%)
- Financial stress or personal debt (37%)
Budgets:
Physical security budgets will increase in the next 12 months, 66% of security chiefs say.
The research found that top security budget priorities for the next 12 months include:
- Investment in new security technology and infrastructure (47%)
- Employee security training and upskilling (45%) Priorities
- 80% of CSOs say company leaders are more concerned with cyber than physical security
- 92% of investors say physical security should have a higher strategic priority within businesses
- Fraud and leaking sensitive information are the top two internal security threats investors think are most important for companies to prepare for (59% and 45% respectively)
- Fraud is the top external security threat investors believe companies they invest in should prepare for (53%)
About the 2025 World Security Report
The company explained that the report is based on anonymous online survey responses of 2,352 chief security officers – or those in equivalent positions – at medium and large, global companies across 31 countries with combined annual revenue of more than $25 trillion.
Research was carried out between 21 March 2025 and 16 April 2025.
The selected group of 200 global institutional investors managing more than $1 trillion of assets, also took part in an anonymous online survey between 8 and 14 April 2025.
