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In 2025, the security industry faces a breadth of challenges that will be affected by events around the world — many of which we’ll be unable to anticipate. But while no one can yet pinpoint the exact challenges global industries will face in 2025, organizations can still take steps to prepare for potential security issues and business disruptions.
For business leaders and security teams to properly anticipate risks, they must be honest about what they don’t know. Advanced technologies are increasingly available to security teams everywhere, and they’re already changing security operations in unprecedented ways. Below, we explore six key trends that will define the international security industry this year — three illustrating the challenges ahead and three highlighting the strategies we recommend to address these threats proactively.
Challenges Shaping Security in 2025
Charged Political Climate and Global Unrest: As the United States has undergone a transition of power, global economic uncertainty is intensifying. If the Trump administration's proposed tariff and deportation plans come to fruition, these new policies have the potential to significantly increase uncertainty and volatility across international markets as other nations respond. Even the prospect of retaliatory measures from major trade partners like China, Mexico, and Canada have the potential to disrupt the function of many industries around the globe.
Rise in Inbound Threats and Need for Intelligence Analysis in Security: Just like in years prior, the volume and complexity of threats facing several industries will continue to grow in 2025. As security teams face increasingly complex problems and navigate disinformation, they need reliable information from trustworthy sources.
While AI offers massive upside to the security industry, installing and implementing new intelligence and data-gathering platforms is a complex process that requires human expertise. Team members must be able not only to implement these tools but also to analyze data and communicate any necessary actions to leadership. We will see a rise of security operations incorporating specialized intelligence units that gather intelligence, assess threats, respond to crises as they emerge, and proactively anticipate threats on the horizon.
Focusing on Executive Protection: The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson will have wide-reaching effects on security, specifically key personnel protection, for many years to come. We are already seeing increases in the protective security of business leaders and executives. But, in addition to deploying more physical personnel protecting C-suite members, companies are investing in entirely new approaches to personnel protection and situational awareness.
Over the next year, expect to also see a change in the way security teams manage threats, event security, travel security, and publicly available information. These changes will include more frequent use of AI-driven technology, enhanced security protocols, risk assessments, and tabletop exercises. As scrutiny on some business leaders intensifies, so too must the protection that surrounds them.
Industry Adaptations in 2025
Security Talent Management and Development: Historically, security was defined by command and authority — but that paradigm is shifting. Today, the focus has broadened to include critical soft skills such as leadership, emotional intelligence, and diverse perspectives. The ability to adapt, communicate, and think strategically is just as important in 2025 as technical security skills. Equally important is the need to retain and develop these skilled professionals once they are trained to maintain high levels of operational security.
As new threats diversify, the skills of the individuals inside security departments must follow suit. Because of the immense amount of new technology being brought to our industry, a trend in security departments is to put more focus on employee-building techniques:
- Professional development, especially in technology and physical security systems
- Building advanced skills for employees, including business continuity, crisis management, IT convergence, and threat management
- Retaining security talent, especially those trained in-house
Advanced Technology: A Shift from Tactical to Proactive Security Risk Management: As the industry adopts more advanced technology, it’s allowing security teams to shift from a tactical approach to a preventative one. The advances we’re seeing in automation, particularly through surveillance and predictive analytics in security, allow security teams to focus on higher-level tasks while AI-assisted cameras handle routine monitoring.
For example, event monitoring responsibilities like facial recognition, license plate reading, and crowd control used to be extremely daunting for security teams during crowded public events due to relying on the eyes and attention span of one person or a small group. Now, with the availability of AI-powered cameras and predictive analytics, security systems can detect and flag anomalies or potential threats and automatically forward them to a trusted security partner. When paired with the security acumen that only experienced security professionals can bring, new technologies can be leveraged to create a safer world
Increased Security Outsourcing Services: Today’s security landscape requires such a broad range of responsibilities that even the most experienced teams and mature programs can be overwhelmed. Security teams must manage insider threats, investigations, external threats, risk assessments, event security, emergency responses, security strategies, and more — and the wise ones will turn to the experts for help.
With so many moving parts, organizations are increasingly partnering with trusted security experts like Pinkerton. External security service providers can lend expertise and resources that may be beyond the reach of smaller organizations or include disciplines not reflected even in large in-house teams. Partnering with a company like Pinkerton adds an extra layer of trusted support and allows organizations to strengthen security without making sacrifices to internal security operations.
Preparing for the Future
The defining trends for corporate security in 2025 will be shaped by the complexities of our rapidly changing world. As threats grow in sophistication, organizations that embrace this new era of security technology and leveraging outside resources will be the ones to stay a step ahead.
To get the upper hand on the challenges of both today and tomorrow, connect with the experts at Pinkerton. We're ready to provide business security solutions for 2025, ensuring that your business stays secure, prepared, and ahead of whatever challenges the future may bring.
