Today’s security landscape reflects threat convergence — a reality where no catastrophe remains localized and the lines between physical and cyber threats, war and peace blur. The result is a cascade of globally interconnected crises, accelerated by the splintering of the American-led order that has dominated geopolitics since 1945.

A shipping disruption in the Suez, a pathogen outbreak in Eastern China, a terrorist attack in Southern Israel or even a policy U-turn in Washington — any of these events, once contained by geography or bureaucratic inertia, can now trigger sector-wide disruptions and boardroom emergencies. Conflict now extends beyond governments and nation-states, placing businesses of every size on the front lines.

Using companies for mercantilist or geopolitical ends is nothing new. From colonial-era trade monopolies to Cold War-era technology embargoes, states have historically leveraged corporations as instruments of economic warfare. However, today’s efforts to undermine other nations do not stop with overt economic methods.

A rising number of insidious attacks have recently taken place using tools such as arson, sabotage, ransomware, hacking or damaging infrastructure and even assassination. These irregular warfare tactics have blurred the distinction between war and peace, placing the boardroom on the front line of conflict.

Global Guardian’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment highlights the increasing sophistication and frequency of these attacks. The assessment notes that states will increasingly use cyberattacks, disinformation, and other forms of hybrid warfare to weaken their adversaries.

The assessment also warns that the threat landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with non-state actors and nation-states alike using advanced technologies to launch coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure, financial systems, and even individual companies.

So, who is most vulnerable to these threats? It’s not just the tech-savvy employees with the latest gadgets. It's anyone who works with sensitive information or has access to critical infrastructure.

Training is paramount. Turn your biggest vulnerability – people – into your greatest asset. Too often, user error, emotional reasoning and pressure can overwhelm employees into making bad decisions that open the physical or digital gates to intrusion.

Managers must train all employees to recognize threats and inform the appropriate personnel if they sense one. Just like in building fire drills, practice improves outcomes. Commit to regular cybersecurity awareness training and run your security incident response plans in real life. Use the insights from feedback to drive improvement in your various crisis response plans.

Corporate decision-makers must also be prepared for the worst-case scenario. This promotes resiliency and business continuity and protects the workforce and the topline.

High-level tabletop exercises and scenario gaming allow key decision makers to strategically allocate resources, diversify operations and develop contingency plans for navigating the increasingly volatile geopolitical climate.

The world is fundamentally changing. Businesses are liable to become collateral damage in a conflict to which they may not realize they are a party. Companies must adapt to the realities of modern warfare.

Those that fail will jeopardize their viability; those that succeed will profit and strengthen our nation’s economic foundation.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Fair Observer’s editorial policy.

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