January 2026 Update
Across the United States, the security environment continues to evolve. While no single threat dominates the landscape, NJB is seeing a consistent pattern emerge: risk is increasingly fragmented, fast moving, and often arrives with little to no warning.
From civil unrest and workplace safety concerns to cyber disruption and broader homeland security pressures, organizations are being challenged to operate in conditions where disruption is more likely to be localized, unpredictable, and operationally impactful.
Civil Unrest and Public Disruption
Protest activity remains a regular feature across major metropolitan areas. While many demonstrations are peaceful, NJB is seeing an increase in spontaneous or rapidly forming events, often tied to political, economic, or immigration related issues. These no-notice gatherings can strain local emergency services, disrupt access to facilities, and escalate quickly depending on location and response.
Certain markets continue to experience recurring unrest, and upcoming dates tied to national or political issues may elevate activity further. The key takeaway is not panic, but planning. Organizations with clear escalation paths, site-level communication plans, and situational awareness are far better positioned to adapt in real time.
Workplace Violence and Active Assailant Risk
Workplace violence remains a persistent concern nationwide. Stressors such as economic pressure, social tension, and personal grievances continue to surface in professional environments. Incidents are often isolated, but the impact is severe when organizations are unprepared.
The most effective mitigation strategies remain consistent:
- Clear reporting mechanisms for concerning behavior
- Rehearsed emergency action plans
- Leadership alignment on response roles
- Ongoing employee awareness training
Preparedness, not prediction, is the strongest defense.
Cybersecurity as an Operational Risk
Cyber threats continue to evolve beyond data theft and into business interruption. Phishing, credential compromise, and ransomware remain the most common entry points, and many incidents result in downtime, operational delays, or cascading impacts across vendors and partners.
Basic cyber hygiene still matters:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Timely software updates
- Backup verification
- Regular employee training
Organizations that treat cybersecurity as an operational resilience issue, not just an IT concern, are better equipped to respond when incidents occur.
The Broader U.S. Security Environment
Geopolitical tension, transnational crime, and domestic extremism continue to influence the U.S. threat landscape. While these issues may feel distant from day-to-day operations, they often surface indirectly through protests, online agitation, threats to facilities, or disruptions to supply chains and personnel movement.
For businesses and security leaders, the common thread is clear: conditions can change quickly, and resilience depends on preparation.
What Organizations Should Be Doing Now
This is a strong moment to pause and validate readiness:
- Review site-level escalation and communication plans
- Confirm points of contact and after-hours procedures
- Refresh scenario-based training for teams
- Validate cyber fundamentals and response plans
Preparedness does not eliminate risk, but it significantly reduces impact.
At NJB Protection, we continue to monitor evolving security conditions and help organizations translate intelligence into practical action. Staying informed is important. Being ready is critical.