Survey: 88 Percent of Companies are Experiencing Increase in Physical Security Threats

Survey: 88 Percent of Companies are Experiencing Increase in Physical Security Threats

As companies continue hybrid work in this third year of COVID-19, already high levels of physical threats are expected to continue to rise, significant health and safety protocol-related conflicts between management and employees are occurring, and workplace violence preparedness at businesses is primarily reactive and inconsistent. These are some of the findings unveiled today in the "2022 State of Protective Intelligence Report –– Heightened Threats, Business Continuity And Advancing Protective Intelligence: Perception Versus Reality In Corporate America," a new study commissioned by the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence.

The study showcases the collective perspectives of chief security officers, chief legal officers, chief compliance officers, general counsels, physical security directors, corporate attorneys and physical security decision-makers at U.S. companies with over 5,000 employees to examine how they see physical security challenges and opportunities unfolding in 2022, and the potential impact on business continuity.

"The physical threat landscape has significantly changed and expanded, a majority of respondents agreed, which has created an exponential increase in data and pre-incident indicators that will only grow and be unmanageable in 2022," said Fred Burton, Executive Director of the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence. "But when it comes to approaches to employee preparedness to address threats and workplace violence, just over half cited their company believes training employees so they are better prepared for potential workplace violence will create a culture of fear, wants to take a reactive strategy and does not see the ultimate risk to business continuity by inaction."

Burton continued: "Threats or harmful incidents are occurring so often, a majority agree, that employees are used to erratic and violent behavior and don't report these as warning signs until it's too late. This is why technology-based tools and consistent training are more critical than ever – thankfully we are seeing greater and greater adoption of digital intelligence."

"We are seeing a large-scale movement to transform physical security, accelerated by the pandemic, an increasing volume of threats and too many misses that jeopardize business stability," said Lukas Quanstrom, CEO of Ontic. "Almost universally, U.S. companies are actively consolidating their multiple threat intelligence, monitoring and alerting solutions into a unified system of record that enables holistic data analysis and reporting across the enterprise. This is good news for American businesses and their employees, but given the magnitude of the challenge, more needs to be done to consistently address risks to industries and shore up business continuity."

Key findings from the survey include:

88% agree, compared to the beginning of 2021, companies are experiencing a dramatic increase in physical threat activity.

85% agree the physical threat landscape has significantly changed and expanded, which has created an exponential increase in data and pre-incident indicators that will only grow and be unmanageable in 2022.

When asked what issues "keep them up at night" as they consider their company's 2022 physical security program, respondents cited increased physical threats and company backlash related to:

  • Rising extremism, social and political issues (32%)
  • Vaccination requirements (31%)

88% have reopened offices and are encountering significant conflicts between management and employees regarding health and safety protocols as well as work-from-home policies

In 2021 the lack of unified digital protective intelligence resulted in missed threats and physical harm to employees, customers and human assets for their company, 84% of respondents agreed, up from 71% in the prior year

Among 18 physical security challenges in 2022 outlined, most likely to be listed among legal and compliance leaders:

  • Physical security threats to C-suite and company leadership (44%)
  • Data protection and privacy (41%)

After employees were threatened or harmed by former employees or others while working remotely or at company facilities, respondents:

  • Notified HR, legal and security (43%)
  • Notified the local police and requested enhanced patrol coverages (40%)
  • Enhanced company security coverages for the employee both in the office and at their home (39%)
  • Enhanced intelligence collection around the threat (36%)

A total of 359 respondents completed the survey, which was conducted November 29 - December 21, 2021. These included chief security officers, chief legal officers, chief compliance officers, general counsels, physical security directors, corporate attorneys and physical security decision-makers at U.S. companies with over 5,000 employees in the automotive, banking and financial services, consumer goods, education, energy, government, healthcare, insurance, media and entertainment, pharmaceutical, retail, technology, telecommunications, travel and hospitality industries. Download the full 2022 report here.

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.