Author: Jonathan Rae
New Gallagher research shows a sharp rise in executive impersonation, digital deception and attempts of extortion, with half of UK businesses targeted in the past year. As senior leaders become more visible online, criminals are using publicly available information from LinkedIn profiles to conference appearances to convincingly mimic executives and pressure employees into acting quickly.
AI‑enabled deception is now a board‑level concern. 51% of directors say deepfakes and voice cloning pose the greatest threat to their organisation, overtaking traditional cyber and physical risks. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, exploiting trust, authority and urgency to bypass controls.
The financial impact is significant. The average cost of a confirmed incident exceeds £758,000, with the most serious cases resulting in multimillion‑pound losses. But the consequences extend beyond financial loss: organisations report staff anxiety, operational disruption, reputational damage and, in some cases, regulatory implications.
The research also highlights the convergence of digital and physical threats. More than a third of firms have faced serious kidnap, extortion or impersonation risks particularly those operating internationally or in higher‑risk sectors.
As executive visibility continues to grow, so does exposure. Organisations must reassess how they protect senior leaders and ensure their controls, training and crisis response capabilities keep pace with evolving threats. Read the full Executive Protection Report for the complete findings and recommended actions.