C-suite executives now view active assailant preparedness as a critical component of enterprise risk management
The United States has recorded a significant escalation in violent public attacks by active assailants, with FBI data showing an 89 per cent increase between 2019 and 2023 compared with the previous five years. For business leaders, particularly in sectors with high public engagement and large workforces, this trend is more than a public safety concern—it is a direct operational and reputational risk.
C-suite executives now view active assailant preparedness as a critical component of enterprise risk management. Such incidents can cause immediate operational shutdowns, jeopardise workforce safety, disrupt supply chains, and inflict long-term damage on brand trust. In this environment, pre-planned safety protocols, streamlined incident response mechanisms, and cross-functional coordination have become boardroom priorities.
On 9 September, security experts Pamela Larson, Vice-President and Chief Security Officer for North America, and Sean McDevitt, Product Marketing Director, will lead a focused industry session on actionable strategies for active assailant risk mitigation. The discussion will cover tactical and strategic measures designed for enterprise-level security operations.
Key discussion points will include:
Technology and compliance integration: Aligning security technology with regulatory requirements to improve detection, incident logging, and compliance auditing, enabling organisations to demonstrate due diligence.
Role of internal threat management teams: Leveraging multidisciplinary teams to link corporate security functions with external law enforcement and intelligence feeds, ensuring coordinated real-time response.
Compliance and legal considerations: Understanding evolving legal frameworks to mitigate liability risks and embed compliance into operational protocols.
Preparedness beyond communication: Shifting from basic alert systems to adaptive response frameworks that address multiple threat scenarios, from active shooters to coordinated attacks.
Industry analysts warn that, as threat vectors evolve, reactive approaches will no longer suffice. Enterprises must treat active assailant preparedness as an ongoing process embedded in corporate governance, supported by investment in technology, workforce training, and continuous scenario-based testing. In an operational climate where seconds can define outcomes, readiness is not just a security imperative—it is a business continuity mandate.
