Active shooters are now the leading physical security threat which is worrying corporate America, according to a survey released by Securitas Security Services USA. Entitled Top Security Threats (TST), the survey also revealed that of the 27 threat categories security executives consider to be a concern, 21 may be caused or carried out by company insiders. As a leading global provider of protective services, Securitas enables companies of all sizes and industries to establish and maintain security programs.
Notably, the threat from active shooters was first identified as a viable concern among security directors in Securitas’ 2016 survey. Previously, it was not considered a top threat by survey respondents from any industry. Securitas’ biennial TST report reflects the feedback from C-level directors and security managers from Fortune 1,000 companies and organizations responsible for the safety and security of people, property and assets.
The Securitas USA survey has become a defining resource used by security managers for making data-driven security planning decisions, according to a press release.
The top three physical security threats as identified in the Securitas TST survey are:
• Active shooter or active assault/assailant threats;
• Workplace violence prevention/responses;
• Business continuity planning/organizational resilience.
“The survey makes clear that major organizations view active shooters as a critical threat,” says Securitas USA COO, William Barthelemy. “We know from our interactions with clients and other industry executives that addressing this issue from all fronts and at all levels is an on-going priority in almost all organizations,” he says.
“While cybersecurity remains a top concern, there are threats to the safety of people and the security of buildings, equipment and other property that may cause considerable, long-lasting harm to an organization, affecting everything from productivity to business continuity,” Barthelemy continues. “The reality is, these threats can come from insiders, people typically not thought to be a primary threat.”
Reflecting the growing concern among executive leadership and boards about the potential effects and implications of security, the survey found that corporate governance has shifted, with a 40% increase in the number of security leaders now reporting directly to a CEO or president, compared to the last Securitas TST survey.
