Company executives face growing threat of violence security chiefs in Latin America say

• 38% of security chiefs say the threat of violence toward company executives has increased
• 41% of CSO expressed that rising economic instability will be the dominant security hazard
• Political instability and civil unrest will affect business security across Latin America.

The threat of violence toward business leaders has risen sharply in the last two years, according to 38% of security chiefs from large, global companies polled in Latin America.

This escalating risk is underscored by global institutional investors, with 97% saying it's important companies invest to protect their executives and seven in 10 agree senior executives' contribution represents 30% or more of the value of the companies they invest in. These are key findings from the World Security Report, commissioned by Allied Universal^®, the world's leading security and facility services provider, and its international business, G4S.

2,352 chief security officers (CSOs), or those in equivalent roles, working at medium and large, global companies, in 31 countries, with combined annual revenue exceeding $25 trillion, were surveyed. 340 CSOs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru were included. The report also incorporates the perspectives of 200 global institutional investors managing over $1 trillion in assets.

Unease about economic instability will be the dominant security hazard over the next year, 41% of CSOs say, up from 26% who experienced this in 2024. Disruption of energy supplies will be the second-most concerning hazard, according to 31%, slightly up on last year. The two highest emerging hazards are civil unrest and conflicts or political instability, both according to 26%, a sharp increase from 18% and 16% respectively who were impacted in 2024.

CSOs are anticipating substantial increases in a range of external threats to their businesses, with fraud the biggest concern according to 30%, up from 16% who experienced this in 2024. Industrial espionage at 29%, malicious damage at 27% and theft of company physical property at 26% are all significantly up compared to 2024.

Fraud is the most concerning internal threat, the second-highest rate in the world after Sub-Saharan Africa and up significantly on last year, when 27% experienced this. CSOs also anticipate that internal intellectual property theft and industrial espionage will be much higher.

The financial impact of security incidents can be sizable. Revenue losses following a security incident were reported by 24% CSOs in the region last year. Industrial espionage was cited by 79% as the external threat that most influenced increased budgets, where the company had experienced this.

Physical security budgets are expected to increase by 72% of CSOs, the second highest rate of increase in the world, only Sub-Saharan Africa was higher.

The top security budget priority is investing in new security technology, followed by training and upskilling employees. Security chiefs are intending to use cutting-edge security technology such as Internet of Things enabled devices at the highest rate in the world, and smart security infrastructure and AI-powered video surveillance will be used at rates above the global average.

Third-party security providers are critical to successful security programs in Latin America. CSO survey respondents that use a single third-party security provider for more than 80% of their physical security requirements not only experienced fewer security incidents, but their confidence to address them is significantly higher at 83%, compared to 54% among those respondents with low vendor involvement.

"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 recognizing that robust physical security is a corporate value driver and should be central to their corporate governance and risk management strategy," said Ashley Almanza, executive chairman of G4S, Allied Universal's international business.

World Security Report 2025 - further Latin America key findings:

• 48% of security chiefs say they have enhanced their security procedures i.e. enhanced background checks
• 47% say they are carrying out risk assessment for leaders i.e. pre-event assessments, travel risk management
• 43% are monitoring online threats i.e. social media, dark web, etc.
• 30% are offering training and preparedness for leaders i.e. self-defense
• 29% are providing leaders with personal protective equipment e.g., body armor
• 25% are providing leaders with personal/close security personnel
• 19% are providing family protection for leaders

Misinformation and insider threats

• 36% say ideological or political motivations were the biggest driver of intentional insider threats. This was the highest rate in the world for this driver
• The second biggest driver was misinformation or external radicalization at 35% (29% global average)
• 66% of CSOs say their companies have been targeted by a misinformation or disinformation campaign (incorrect or purposely false information) in the last year.
• Seven in 10 CSOs (71%) say geopolitical tensions will compromise the security of their supply chains

Priorities

• The top three factors driving adoption of new security technology are: enhancing security team efficiency and effectiveness (54%), reducing security risks and threats (49%) and enhancing security for customers and visitors (48%)
• The most crucial cutting-edge security technologies over the next 2 years are: AI-driven threat detection and risk assessment (46%), AI-powered video surveillance and analytics (46%) and biometric access control including facial recognition (46%)
• 92% of CSOs agree that people will always be integral to keeping their organization safe (87% global average)

About the World Security Report 2025

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 March 21, 2025 and April 16, 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 April 8 and 14, 2025. To view the report, please visit: https://worldsecurityreport.com/

Disclaimer

The opinions and data expressed in this document are derived from aggregated survey data and do not necessarily reflect the views of Allied Universal. Allied Universal does not make any specific recommendations to the reader and makes no warranties, express or implied, in connection with the information contained herein. Readers should discuss the findings with their Chief Security Officer ("CSO") and should rely on their own site-specific security assessments and the guidance of their CSO.

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