Security strategies shift as executive threat landscape evolves

YARMOUTH, Maine — Spending on executive protection services is surging in the United States, driven by a rise in politically motivated violence, most recently in Minnesota. 

The shootings in Minnesota in June, which resulted in the deaths of a state representative and her husband, follow the assassination of a UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2024. 

In response, companies have significantly increased their investment in executive security. An Equilar study of S&P 500 companies found: 

• The percentage of executives receiving protection in the U.S. rose from 24.5% in 2023 to about 37% by mid-2025, and 

• The median spending per executive jumped from $69,000 in 2023 to $94,000 in 2024, according to ASIS International. 

“I’ve spent the majority of my career protecting some of the most visible leaders in the public and private sectors, and I’ve seen a major shift,” said Michael Evanoff, a former assistant secretary for the Department of State, and chief security officer for Verkada. “C-level executives are more visible than they have ever been – at their best, painted as celebrities, and at their worst, lightning rods for criticism. This is set against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized political climate.” 

Globally, spending on executive protection services reached $427.8 million in 2024 and is projected to nearly double by 2032, according to Verified Market Research. 

Evanoff said that to “meet this moment,” organizations have begun to rethink safety and security for business leaders, investing in the technology, tools and personnel necessary to protect their C-suite, including at home. According to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson’s residential security spending for its CEO quadrupled following December 2024, and Eli Lily spent upward of $73,630 for its CEO’s residential protection.  

“When organizations evaluate different technologies and systems to be used across both locations, it’s important to prioritize solutions that are easily accessible for executive protection professionals who are constantly on the go,” explained Evanoff. “Executive protection in today’s threat landscape requires real-time visibility and information, so protectors need access to platforms where they can take action no matter where they are – in the office, in transit, or at home.” 

What companies are protecting, says Glen Kucera, president of Enhanced Protection Services at Allied Universal, "isn’t just about their body, it’s about protecting their ability to lead.” 

“Executive protection is not glorified driving,” Kucera said in a video posted to social media. “It’s proactive, strategic and rooted in risk mitigation.”