Activist pressure “reshaping UK’s risk landscape” asserts Securitas

Crucially, the study findings spotlight a growing convergence between external activism and internal workforce pressures. This is a shift that’s elevating the risk of insider-enabled disruption, including data leaks, operational interference and misuse of corporate systems.

Organisations perceived to be falling short on their Environmental, Social and Governance commitments – including ‘Net Zero’ delivery and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – continue to attract significant activist attention.

The risk landscape is now broadening as restructuring, automation and technology-driven job losses fuel labour rights activism, while in parallel serving to heighten employee sensitivity.

Securitas Risk Intelligence indicates these dynamics are creating conditions where activist campaigns can be amplified from within.

Strategic pressure 

“This is no longer about isolated protests,” noted Mike Evans, director of Securitas’ Risk Intelligence Centre. “It’s sustained and strategic pressure. Businesses are being targeted across multiple fronts simultaneously in the form of co-ordinated social media campaigns and reputational pressure through to supply chain disruption, executive targeting and internal data exposure.”

For businesses, the implications extend far beyond physical security. Risks now include sustained reputational pressure, impacts on investor and consumer confidence, increased executive protection costs, operational disruption and heightened legal and regulatory exposure.

Securitas warns that many organisations remain structurally unprepared for this shift, particularly so in those instances where security, Human Resources, risk and communications functions operate in silos.

Instead, experts are urging a more integrated and intelligence-led approach. This includes assessing how corporate decisions and public positioning may trigger activist mobilisation; monitoring workforce sentiment alongside external sentiment and strengthening the early detection of insider risk.

Moving beyond the silo

“Organisations relying on reactive and site-specific responses risk falling behind events,” concluded Evans. “As the activists’ tactics continue to evolve, Securitas’ Risk Intelligence Centre emphasises that businesses must move beyond siloed approaches. A joined-up and proactive strategy combining external intelligence with internal insight will be critical when it comes to anticipating risk, protecting operations and building long-term resilience.”

*Further information on the security risks dominating the threat landscape can be accessed in the pages of Securitas’ Annual Intelligence Estimate 2026: https://www.securitas.uk.com/globalassets/united-kingdom/annual-intelligence-report-2026.pdf