High-Profile Executives Face Physical Risks from Digital Exposure, Report Finds

Security and wealth professionals increasingly view cybersecurity and physical security as an inseparable challenge, according to the 2026 Annual Digital Exposure Report released by 360 Privacy.

The findings suggest that the digital footprints of high-profile individuals, such as executives, celebrities, and wealthy families, are directly contributing to increased physical safety risks. The report indicates that 84% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Chief Security Officers (CSOs) now treat digital exposure and physical danger as a single, unified problem.

The Challenge of Executive Perceptions

A significant barrier to effective protection is the perceived immunity of high-profile targets. Approximately 85% of CISOs and CSOs report that the individuals they advise often feel “untouchable” due to their professional success and social status, despite the growing technical threats against them.

Furthermore, security focus tends to be episodic. Around 91% of CISOs and CSOs noted that security attention often surges following high-profile incidents but fades once the immediate public interest declines.

AI and Household Vulnerabilities

The emergence of artificial intelligence is complicating the threat landscape. Approximately 87% of security professionals stated it is increasingly difficult to ensure that the people they protect maintain sufficient technological literacy to defend against AI-driven threats.

The risk is not limited to the primary individual. Security leaders are placing greater emphasis on the digital behaviour of family members, spouses, and household staff, as their actions can create unintended exposure for the principal. For instance, real-time social media posts regarding daily routines, such as school runs or restaurant visits, can reveal patterns that attackers exploit to locate individuals physically.

Organisational Restructuring

In response to these converging threats, organisations are changing their operational structures. The report found that 64% of CISOs and CSOs have merged or are currently in the process of merging their digital and physical security functions.

However, budget reallocation remains a concern. Roughly 59% of CISOs and CSOs reported that funding for physical security is being diverted from existing cybersecurity budgets following recent high-profile incidents.

To manage these risks, security professionals are encouraged to conduct regular exposure audits, simulate attacker-style searches to demonstrate risk to clients, and implement stricter controls on the publication of real-time location patterns.