High-powered CEOs are part and parcel of today’s economy. The role has been met with almost mythic proportions over the years, with its significance really taking off more recently.
But with this increased responsibility comes additional security threats. Many CEOs are at risk from activists and criminals looking to make political points or score quick wins.
That’s where companies like Security USA come into the picture. The idea behind these firms is to plug the gaps that conventional guards miss, providing more complete security.
But why is all this necessary for CEOs? Is the threat environment that bad?
That’s the topic we’re going to broach in this post. We look at all the reasons many CEOs now invest heavily in their personal security.
Reputation And Business Impact
Security breaches can lead to reputational loss and business impact, which is one of the main reasons many CEOs now see it as a priority. Company systems can be highly fragile in today’s interconnected environments, which is why it is so critical to put more money into protecting them.
For example, a security threat can disrupt business operations and lead to stock price reductions. It can also prevent customers from receiving the services they need, especially among Fortune 500 companies.
Higher Threat Landscape
Another reason CEOs are plowing money into security is because the nature of the threat landscape is also changing. Things like corporate espionage and extortion are far higher risks than they were in the past. We’ve seen countless high-profile incidents over the last five years, which is one of the reasons why it has become such a priority. Attempts have even been made to kidnap European tech CEOs, which was something that was almost unheard of during the 1990s and 2000s.
Physical Safety Concerns
On this point, more CEOs are becoming worried about their physical safety as they move around. They worry that someone will try to take advantage of the fact that they are high net worth individuals.
For this reason, they are planning out their days and movements to the smallest detail, ensuring they remain safe along the way. Many are bringing trained security personnel with them everywhere they go so that they can deal with threats and ensure they can use transportation safely without having to worry about an attack.
Cost Benefit Justifications
On top of this, there are cost-benefit justifications for using security, even if the costs are high. For top executives, the amount they spend on security is only a fraction of what their companies could lose if they were to be subject to a breach of some kind. These financial losses would likely run to far higher levels.
Employee Confidence
Finally, robust security measures can make employees feel more confident about their personal security. They don’t need to worry so much as they do their jobs, and they don’t have to take on this role. Security-focused companies signal their willingness to prioritize stability and continuity above all else, which gives staff confidence and reduces turnover.
