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The security landscape is evolving faster than ever. From geopolitical instability and AI regulation to executive protection and workforce challenges, organizations face an increasingly complex risk environment heading into 2026.
In this episode of the Liferaft Security Spotlight Sessions, leading security experts explore the trends expected to have the greatest impact on corporate, government, and institutional security over the coming year. Rather than focusing solely on today's threats, this discussion examines what's coming next, and how security leaders can prepare before risks escalate.
🎧 Listen to the full Security Spotlight Session here:
What You'll Learn
During this session, our panel discusses:
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The rise of executive targeting, doxxing, and coordinated physical threats
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How new AI regulations could reshape security operations
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Why geopolitical instability continues to affect business continuity
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The growing shortage of qualified security professionals
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Emerging trends that security leaders should begin preparing for today
The discussion combines industry research with firsthand insights from experienced practitioners working across corporate security, protective intelligence, technology, and consulting.
Meet the Panel
This session features perspectives from four experienced security professionals:
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Darren Dumoulin Director of Campus Safety and Prevention Services, Concordia University
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Davian Hoffman Principal, Oleander Consulting
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Mark Freedman Principal & CEO, Rebel Global Security
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Matt Hogan Chief Technology Officer, Liferaft
Each panelist evaluates major industry predictions before sharing their own forecast for the year ahead.
Five Security Trends Shaping 2026
1. Executive Threats Will Continue to Rise
Organizations should expect continued growth in threats directed toward CEOs, executives, and other high-profile individuals. Beyond online harassment, security teams are increasingly monitoring coordinated doxxing campaigns, protests at private residences, and physical demonstrations targeting leadership.
Protective intelligence programs that combine open-source intelligence (OSINT) with proactive monitoring will become increasingly important for identifying risks before they become real-world incidents.
2. AI Regulation Will Influence Security Operations
As the EU AI Act takes effect in 2026, organizations should anticipate broader discussions around AI governance, transparency, and accountability.
Security teams adopting AI-assisted investigations and intelligence workflows will need to understand evolving compliance requirements while maintaining trust in automated decision support.
3. Geopolitical Events Will Have Local Business Impact
International conflicts, political instability, and civil unrest no longer remain isolated to one region.
Supply chains, travel operations, corporate facilities, and executive movements can all be disrupted by global events. Organizations that continuously monitor geopolitical developments will be better positioned to respond quickly when situations change.
4. The Security Talent Gap Is Growing
Demand for experienced security professionals continues to outpace supply.
Organizations are increasingly looking for analysts who understand AI, OSINT, identity management, and emerging technologies. Developing existing teams through continuous learning and automation will become an important competitive advantage.
5. Polarization Will Continue to Increase Security Risk
Political division and social polarization are expected to remain major drivers of demonstrations, protests, online extremism, and localized security incidents.
Corporate security teams will need improved situational awareness to monitor emerging events, assess potential impacts, and protect employees, facilities, and executives.
Looking Beyond Industry Forecasts
One of the most valuable parts of this Security Spotlight Session is that the conversation doesn't stop at published predictions.
Each panelist shares their own outlook for 2026, highlighting the emerging trends they believe security professionals should begin preparing for today based on their real-world experience.
These expert perspectives provide practical guidance for organizations building more resilient security programs.
Why These Conversations Matter
Security planning can no longer rely solely on historical incidents. The pace of technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving threat actors requires organizations to anticipate what's next—not simply react to what has already happened.
Whether you're responsible for executive protection, corporate security, protective intelligence, or enterprise risk, staying informed about emerging trends helps improve decision-making and preparedness.
Watch or listen to the full Security Spotlight Session to hear the complete discussion and expert predictions for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the biggest security trends expected in 2026?
Some of the most significant security trends include increased executive targeting, AI governance and regulation, geopolitical instability, workforce shortages in security, and growing risks driven by political polarization and civil unrest.
Why is executive protection becoming more important?
Executives face increasing risks from online threats, doxxing, physical demonstrations, and coordinated harassment campaigns. Modern executive protection combines physical security with open-source intelligence (OSINT) to identify threats before they escalate.
How will the EU AI Act affect security teams?
The EU AI Act introduces new expectations around transparency, accountability, and explainability for AI systems. Organizations using AI in security operations should prepare for evolving governance and compliance requirements.
How does geopolitical instability affect corporate security?
Global conflicts, political unrest, and supply chain disruptions can directly impact business operations, executive travel, employee safety, and organizational resilience. Continuous monitoring helps organizations respond faster to changing situations.
Why is there a shortage of security professionals?
Demand for experienced security practitioners continues to grow faster than available talent. Organizations increasingly seek professionals with expertise in AI, OSINT, identity security, digital investigations, and threat intelligence.
What is protective intelligence?
Protective intelligence is the process of collecting, analyzing, and assessing information about potential threats to people, facilities, and organizations. It helps security teams detect risks early and make informed decisions before incidents occur.
What is OSINT and why is it important?
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) involves gathering information from publicly available sources such as news, social media, public records, and online forums. It helps organizations identify emerging threats, monitor risk, and improve situational awareness.
Who should watch this Security Spotlight Session?
This session is valuable for corporate security leaders, protective intelligence teams, executive protection professionals, enterprise risk managers, government security practitioners, campus security leaders, and anyone responsible for organizational resilience.
Where can I watch the full Security Spotlight Session?
You can watch or listen to the complete discussion here.