Protecting Today's Executives as Political Tensions Rise

With 42% of security leads reporting increased threats to leadership, executive protection is shifting from physical bodyguards to intelligence-led strategy.

• By Glen Kucera
• May 15, 2026

Recent political and economic tensions have created unprecedented volatility that underscores the need for enhanced executive protection. The threat of violence toward executives has increased, according to 42% of security executives surveyed in the 2025 World Security Report.

Sentiment surrounding protecting key staff has never been higher, with 97% of global institutional investors saying providing physical protection for executives in the companies they invest in is important. That is because executive contribution accounts for 30% of a company’s value, according to a report that surveyed more than 2,500 security chiefs at companies with a combined revenue of more than $25 trillion and 200 institutional investors managing assets worth more than $1 trillion.

It is critical to examine best practices and strategies for executive protection through the lens of the current climate, in which a significant segment of the population feels political violence may be acceptable against high-profile individuals.

Assessing Risk

Executive protection is a strategic, intelligence-driven function — not just a physical security service. With increasing hostility toward corporate leaders fueled by factors such as social media and economic grievances, assessing threats is key. Healthcare, insurance and other controversial sectors face a particularly heightened risk.

According to the WSR, security incidents have big impact on organizations, with more than a quarter of companies losing revenue following such incidents.

Executive protection entails many components with varying layers of sophistication.  Personal protection can range from security staff for top executives at public events to round-the-clock service for select CEOs.

In an initial assessment, implementation of protective intelligence techniques can include:

• Social media review to flag threat activity online, because digital threats often precede physical ones
• Behavioral threat assessment, a fact-based process designed to help identify threats and prevent acts of targeted violence
• Public Information & Exposure Report (PIER), which uses data from various sources including surveillance, community input and more to analyze crime trends to provide a threat assessment

Protection Techniques and Protocols

Executive protection is about anticipating threats and mitigating exposure. A tailored approach to security considers an executive’s personal exposure and risk profile. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. So, a visible executive at a high-profile or controversial company would likely have more exposure than a leader at a less-known organization.

A vulnerability assessment can include:

• Evaluating the executive’s personal residence and surrounding area
• Mapping and evaluating the executive’s daily travel path
• Evaluating the workplace
• Evaluating corporate threats

Beyond these measures, the protection plan should assess travel risk and include advance event planning/site assessments when appropriate for high-profile individuals. As we have seen recently, there can also sometimes be a need to protect a high-profile individual’s family members. All these factors should be considered when mapping out a customized personal protection plan.

Comprehensive Approach to Protection

While planning and analysis are more than half the battle, a physical presence is often needed. This can come in the form of close protection agents who accompany public figures; security drivers and canine units that serve as a deterrent during large-scale public events; and advance and logistic agents who perform in-depth evaluations to determine vulnerabilities and develop comprehensive response plans.

Critical to these measures is staff training. Gone are the days of the traditional “bodyguard.” Today’s executive protection officers must combine physical ability with strategic thinking and keen situational awareness. They must possess global and cultural understanding to be up to speed in volatile situations that could pose a threat to individuals they are charged with protecting.

Protection agents are often highly qualified former military or law enforcement staff and undergo specific executive protection training. Discretion, professionalism and the ability to work cooperatively with in-house security teams and other executives is also key.

Technology and the Future of EP

As economic instability and political upheaval continue to drive security threats, we can be sure that the need for executive protection will remain, if not increase, in the months and years ahead. We must always be one step ahead with preparation. Technology is one of the most important tools to use.

From surveillance and remote monitoring to license plate identification tools to GPS tracking and protective intelligence platforms that produce risk assessments, an integrated executive protection program relies on data to drive advance planning and real-time executive protection.

However, unlike some other industries, people are central to protection, even in a world where AI is taking over. According to the WSR, chief security officers are prioritizing continuous training, fostering a strong security culture across the organization and integrating technology to enhance human capabilities of their teams.

AI is proving helpful in certain areas, including executive protection functions. In fact, 71% of those surveyed said they are using AI for assistive or oversight tasks where the ultimate decision maker is a person. Another 69% are using AI for access control and identity verification.

However, the most crucial area of AI investment over the next two years for 45% of those surveyed are AI-powered video surveillance and analytics, along with AI-driven threat detection and risk assessments for 44% of security leaders.

Responses indicate that in the foreseeable future, security chiefs do not expect technology to replace the nuanced judgment, adaptability, emotional intelligence and human interaction essential for jobs such as executive protection.

Executive Security as a Strategic Asset

Even when political tensions ease and economic conditions improve, there will always be new situations that underscore the need for executive protection.

As the WSR concludes, executive leaders are among a company’s most precious assets. With advanced planning, expert personnel, continuing education and ongoing assessments, we can create a heightened safety environment for these high-profile individuals.

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Security Today.