Economic unrest the biggest security hazard facing companies in Europe

Economic unrest is expected to be the biggest security-impacting hazard businesses in Europe will face in the coming year. According to the World Security Report published by G4S, 42 per cent predict it to be the biggest security-impacting hazard, a jump of nine percentage points compared to the previous year.

With the financial uncertainty caused by this, security leaders anticipate an increase in the number of threats. Economic criminals will be the group that causes the most incidents in Europe in the next year, anticipated by 46 per cent of those surveyed, up from 40 per cent in the previous 12 months.

The report also found that hiring the right staff is expected to be a challenge with 58 per cent reporting it is ‘extremely’ challenging to find the right people. The biggest barriers were retaining qualified staff reported by 52 per cent, experience was cited by 49 per cent and 47 per cent said it was hard to find people with the appropriate skills.

Ashley Almanza, executive chairman of G4S, Allied Universal’s international business, said:

“Global businesses are facing increased security threats; a tight labour market globally; and rapidly changing technology that presents new risks and requires different skills. In addition, executive boards are grappling with balancing physical and cybersecurity alongside other priorities. The World Security Report helps our entire industry and the wider business community better understand and operate in the challenging, global and fast-moving security landscape.”