A sweeping international study conducted by the International Security Ligue has laid bare alarming deficiencies in global security preparedness, urging immediate reforms and unprecedented collaboration across industries and governments. The Global Security Barometer 2025 (GSB2025), which gathered insights from top security executives around the world, warns that the current security landscape is riddled with gaps that could undermine responses to terrorism, high-consequence threats, and other emerging risks.
Alarmingly Low Preparedness
The GSB paints a concerning picture. Security executives revealed that key global infrastructures are, on average, only half as prepared as they need to be; the report cites a preparedness score of just 52.5 (on a 1 to 100 scale). This statistic underscores significant gaps in the integration of security functions, risk awareness, and standardized practices that have long plagued the global security sector.
A broader crisis is evident in the marketplace itself. Witha global median score of 55.0, the report indicates that cost considerations often override quality and effectiveness in procurement decisions, thereby compromising overall security. “Many of these challenges have plagued the industry for decades,” remarked Stefan Huber, Director General of the International Security Ligue. “
This report is not only an assessment of our progress but a clarion call to address the extensive work still required to secure our future.
Call for Unified, Multifaceted Reform
The GSB 2025 report emphasizes that no single entity can shoulder the responsibility alone. Instead, a coordinated, strategic approach is essential:
• Organizations must break down internal silos and embrace comprehensive risk management processes, cultivating proactive security cultures.
• Governments are urged to create supportive regulatory frameworks, broaden the definitions of critical infrastructure, and nurture cross-border cooperation.
• The Private Security Sector needs to invest in cutting-edge security solutions, enhance personnel training to meet multi-dimensional threats, and rebuild public trust through consistent standards.
“Security isn’t a one-and-done solution—it’s an ongoing process demanding continuous investment and collaboration and it is a shared responsibility,” Huber stressed.
“The GSB shows the untapped potential for security to enhance business performance, drive economic stability, and bolster resilience against unforeseen threats.”
Stark Regional Disparities in Public Trust
In addition to systemic vulnerabilities, the report reveals striking contrasts in how private security officers are perceived worldwide. While there is moderate global respect for these professionals, regional differences tell a more complex story. In India, private security officers command high esteem, reflective of robust community engagement and professionalism. In stark contrast, public opinion in the United States registers below the global average, raising concerns about the legitimacy and efficacy of security services.
“Negative public opinions can erode legitimacy and put societies at risk,” Huber explained., a sentiment echoed by one of the report’s expert contributors, Sandi Davies, CEO of the International Foundation for Protection Officers. She argues that rigorous training, certification, and balanced media portrayals are critical to securing the public’s trust and ensuring that security officers can perform their roles effectively.
Growing Challenge of Risk Awareness
Beyond public perception, the report indicates that organizations themselves are not fully prepared. On a scale measuring the understanding of security risks, the global median rating sits at just 66.3. Regional discrepancies are pronounced: North America scores highest at 77.5, while Africa lags with a score of 42.5, and Europe along with Central and South America and the Caribbean near a 70 rating. In today’s complex threat environment—marked by cyberattacks, industrial sabotage, and hybrid threats that blur the lines between the digital and the physical—this gap in risk awareness poses a serious challenge.
“The GSB emphasizes the critical need for organizations to enhance their risk mitigation strategies,” said Huber. Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy goes further, suggesting that companies might benefit from appointing a dedicated Chief Geopolitical Officer to decode and navigate the escalating geopolitical complexities that increasingly impact security.
Roadmap for a Resilient Future
The Global Security Barometer 2025 is more than a diagnostictool—it’s a roadmap for the future. By spotlighting vulnerabilities, regionaldisparities, and the urgent need for enhanced risk management, the report callson all stakeholders to take decisive, collaborative steps toward reform. In aninterconnected world where threats are constantly evolving, the message isclear: comprehensive, ongoing, and unified action is essential to forging asecure and resilient future.
Founded in 1934, the International Security Ligue remains at the forefront of promoting, advancing, and professionalizing the private security industry. For further details on the report and its implications, visit https://www.international-security-ligue.org/gsb