Across every industry, organizations are operating in a world defined by fast-moving threats and increasingly complex risks. The "typical" threats associated with security, such as crime and terrorism, have evolved to incorporate the "new standard," including extreme weather and civil unrest, in addition to the "next generation" of threats such as misinformation/disinformation, boycotts, and targeted attacks, all of which seemingly occur with little to no warning.
Traditionally, the approach to risk management has been to respond after incidents occur, meet compliance requirements, and focus on reaction rather than anticipation. But in today’s security landscape, reacting isn’t enough.
Risk intelligence can give organizations the foresight they need to stay ahead of emerging risks. By turning raw data into actionable insights, businesses can establish situational awareness and understanding of why it matters to them, empowering leaders to make informed decisions to help protect people, assets, and operations.
Mike Evans, Director of Risk Intelligence Center at Securitas USA, explains that an intelligence-led security strategy helps enable clients to monitor threats and “mitigate them before they become risks,” helping them “stay one step ahead and build resilience through planning and preparation.”
As Mike further explains, the RIC’s work centers help provide organizations with the elusive ‘so what?’ What’s happening, why does it matter, what can happen next, and most importantly: what can be done about it. These are the key questions decision makers want answered. This intelligence-led approach marks a strategic shift toward anticipation, preparedness, and confidence amid uncertainty.
The role of risk intelligence
The RIC is built on an all-source intelligence strategy, gathering and integrating information from a range of sources.
“The Risk Intelligence Center leverages an all-source intelligence strategy combining all available and appropriate sources of intelligence, including OSINT, SOCMINT, closed sources, including links to other security agencies, in addition to Securitas USA-specific sources.”
One of the RIC’s greatest strengths is its global footprint. “We have the beauty of being a TRULY global organization,” Mike says. “When an incident starts on the opposite side of the world, we can very quickly corroborate with our colleagues on the ground.”
By leveraging diverse data streams, the RIC helps clients identify early indicators before they escalate into incidents. “Being forewarned allows our clients to become forearmed,” Mike notes. With advanced warning, clients can prepare, mitigate, and often avoid operational disruption entirely.
From warning signs to smart decisions
Identifying a potential threat is just the starting point. The real value comes from turning that insight into actionable steps clients can implement as real-world solutions.
The RIC translates raw data into timely intelligence, alerts, briefs, reports, and presentations. “The RIC provides clients with accurate, timely, relevant, and actionable intelligence in various forms to support practical use, whether that’s immediate notification, daily summary, or on an ad hoc basis,” Mike explains.
To help keep intelligence both timely and actionable, the RIC blends human expertise with advanced technology.
“We leverage human expertise, cutting-edge technology, a global network of sources, and industry insights to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate security threats and manage the risks these pose, enabling intelligence-led decision making to help safeguard what matters most.”
Case study: early intelligence in action
A global client operating multiple production facilities began experiencing subtle but concerning indicators of targeted activity related to direct action and sabotage near several key locations. The RIC’s proactive monitoring flagged early warnings, localized chatter, online mobilization efforts, and increased physical surveillance activity around the properties.
Instead of responding after the indicators led to a protest occurring, the client received a brief outlining what was developing, the likelihood of escalation, potential impacts, and recommended actions.
With this early intelligence, the client implemented business continuity and resilience measures, adjusted its security posture, including securing vulnerable access points and safeguarding critical assets, all before disruptions occurred. When activity intensified, the client was already prepared. Operations continued with minimal interruption, and response involved effective multi-agency coordination with business teams and law enforcement.
If the intelligence hadn’t been flagged in time, the organization could have faced property damage, inventory loss, employee safety concerns, and significant operational downtime.
This example demonstrates the broader value of risk intelligence: by identifying early indicators and offering actionable guidance, intelligence transforms uncertainty into informed decision-making.
The future of risk intelligence
Technology continues to reshape how risk intelligence is gathered, analyzed, and delivered. AI and advanced analytics have accelerated data processing and expanded the volume of information organizations can monitor. But as Mike emphasizes, speed must be balanced with precision.
In Intelligence, Accuracy, Timeliness, Relevance, and Actionability are key. They need to be in balance,” he explains. “AI offers huge opportunities to increase Timeliness, but this is at the cost of Accuracy and Relevance, which ultimately undermine Actionability.” That’s why Securitas USA pairs technology with expert analysts, the “human in the loop.
The importance of alarm vs assurance
Organizations that want to modernize their security approach often struggle because they lack clarity on their intelligence requirements.
“Organizations wanting to shift from reactive to proactive commonly struggle because they have not defined their intelligence requirements… They have not defined what intelligence they need and why.”
By identifying the intelligence they need, who it serves, and how it informs decisions, organizations can turn intelligence from ‘what’s in the news’ into ‘need to know’ – or ‘what’s on social media’ into ‘so what?’, elevating security from a cost center to a competitive differentiator.
To help clients stay ahead, the RIC promotes intelligence for the purposes of alarm when a response is required, assurance when something needs to be reported but does not pose an immediate concern, and awareness to develop understanding and build resilience
“This enables us to identify potential indicators and warnings in the real world, and determine what threat they pose... It’s important to note, however, that not EVERYTHING is a threat. Intelligence helps to provide an alarm when a risk is identified, and assurance when everything is ‘ok’, enabling organizations to focus on what matters most.”
Intelligence as a strategic advantage
By integrating risk intelligence into their security strategies, organizations gain more than awareness; they gain confidence.
Intelligence doesn’t predict the future, but it prepares organizations for it.
With real-time insights, expert analysis, and a global network of information, leaders can act with certainty, mitigate challenges, safeguard their people, and maintain operational continuity, even in volatile environments.
Discover how our Risk Intelligence Center (RIC) can help your organization turn data into decision-making advantages. Connect with our team to explore solutions tailored to your evolving threat and risk landscape.
