Global Security Barometer 2025
Zurich, Switzerland, 8 April 2025: The International Security Ligue’s Global Security Barometer 2025 (GSB 2025) warns of serious deficiencies in the current state of global security and reveals changes that are necessary for the security industry to meet future challenges in an evolving threat environment.
The comprehensive report underscores an urgent need for improved integration of security functions, heightened risk awareness, better critical infrastructure preparedness, and stronger security cultures across regions. Globally, for example, leading security executives think the world’s critical infrastructure is only half as prepared as it needs to be against terrorism and high-consequence threats (52.5 score out of 100).
GSB 2025 also sheds light on critical challenges and opportunities facing the global security services industry, highlighting pressing issues across public perception, regulation, labor markets, marketplace maturity, and cooperation with public law enforcement. A global median score of 55.0 highlights a crisis in security markets, for example, where cost often trumps quality in procurement decisions.
Gain insights into private security trends with results from a survey of industry leaders and global security analysis by 17 subject matter experts from around the world.
The GSB Survey of the world’s top executives at the leading security firms identifies critical gaps in global security preparedness and culture and reveals a desperate need for cooperation and industry reform.
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GSB 2025 reveals significant disparities in how private security officers are perceived worldwide, with India showing high level of regard, while the United States falls below the global average.
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The Global Security Barometer survey reveals the critical need for enhanced collaboration between public law enforcement and private security.
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Organizations and Institutions around the world don’t know the security risks they face, warn top security executives. GSB 2025 outlines problems and path to progress.
Read the releaseGSB 2025 emphasizes that strengthening global security in an increasingly complex threat landscape requires a unified, strategic approach that leaves no weak links. Coordinated efforts from all stakeholders are crucial: Organizations must adopt comprehensive risk management strategies, break down internal silos, and foster a proactive security culture. Governments should develop supportive regulatory frameworks, broaden definitions of critical infrastructure, and foster cross-border cooperation. Private Sector needs to invest in advanced security solutions, train personnel to handle multi-dimensional threats, and build trust within communities.
What is the Current State of Global Security?
How are Conditions for the Private Security Services Industry? Pretty darn far from ideal. See it here.
How did Europe Do? It's a bit of a mixed bag. The labor market is terrible, but some preparedness indicators are better than in most other regions. See it here.
Is it Safe? A look at how leading security executives view the ability of the world's critical infrastructure to prevent and mitigate terrorism and high-consequence threats. See it here.
on public image... “Implementing rigorous and meaningful training and certification processes would ensure that officers are well prepared to handle various situations and establish a baseline of professionalism that the public can trust.”
on regulation... “The greatest current problem for security companies and security professionals in the U.S. regulatory environment—a problem that is universal—is delays in licensing.”
on labor markets... “As professionals, we must market the criticality and value of what security does and update our language.”
on security marketplaces... "The first step is to recognise the length and complexity of the procurement process, including the time needed to mobilise a contractor’s resources."
on public tendering.... “Public procurement currently is a compliance-driven chore, more focused on ticking boxes, lowering costs, and following procedures than on driving better value and outcomes.”
on joint security initiatives... “Private security acts not only as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police but also as a voice in sharing key messages about safety and security.”
on police-private security cooperation... "The public police and the private security sector each have outstanding abilities and share common goals – to ensure that our communities are safe and secure."
on public-private partnerships... “Success stories exist and should be replicated. The key ingredient is political will from decisionmakers.”
on legislation... “Tech legislation must accurately reflect the realities of our sector and address the security needs of our economies and societies in an increasingly volatile world.”
on convergence... "What's needed is a clear-eyed view of the promised vs. actual benefits of convergence, plus the opportunity costs of getting there."
on strategic integration... “Enhanced awareness and pooling of resources are needed to develop greater business resiliency..”
on physical-cybersecurity... “A national cybersecurity strategy (NCS) is the foremost step toward improving the security culture in Africa.”
on security risk... "Dangers not only affect companies and institutions but can also put the economic and social stability of nations at risk."
on geopolitics... “The proliferations of risks for companies in a growing polarized world requires the appointment of a dedicated board member, the Chief Geopolitical Officer...”
on critical infrastructure... “Critical Infrastructure Operators should prioritize regular vulnerability assessments, maintain clear communication channels, and invest in advanced security infrastructure.”
on infrastructure resilience... "Global coordination is critical to addressing transnational threats such as cybercrime and terrorism."
on security culture... “Business leaders and buyers need to seek custom solutions to their wicked problems. Not go through the phone book or do a Google search for “security”, under the assumption they are “all the same thing.”
With the help of these experts, GSB 2025 offers a sort of roadmap for the future. It identifies actions that stakeholders need to take to better align the security function with its importance and to enhance global security.
