Top 21 Security Incidents and Trends of 2021

Last year we offered our view on the top 12 trends of 2020. This year we expand to 21 for 2021.

21. After a sterile 2020 caused by Covid, security companies embark on an M&A feeding frenzy in 2021., highlighted by AlliedUniversal’s acquisition of G4S. There is plenty of action to go around, with Convergint acquiring many new assets. In other significant news, Brivo merges with CrownPropTech, and big names such as ASSA ABLOY, ADT, HID, PerMar, Motorola, Honeywell, Securitas, Eagle Eye Networks, and March Networks make significant deals. The cyber market is equally hot.

20. Though it made its debut in 2020, The Kindness Games arrives to return compassion, understanding, empathy—and, yes, kindness—to security.

19. The Biden Administration blacklists Israeli spyware company NSO Group.

18. ISC West, GSX, and other industry events resume with reduced exhibits, programming, and foot traffic. However, attendees welcome the opportunity to renew in-person relationships and discussions.

17. Kyle Rittenhouse is exonerated for killing two people at a protest in Kenosh, Wisconsin, a shooting that provoked heated discussions on the use of force by private citizens.

16. Border crises: at the U.S. border, in Europe, and elsewhere, immigration is surging. Encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border increased to their largest number ever.

15. Sustainability. The security industry continues creeping toward recognition of the criticality of sustainability to the planet.

14. The Elizabeth Holmes trial takes center stage, as the Theranos CEO faces charges of defrauding investors on the company’s blood-testing technology.

13. Mass organized retail theft gangs hit stores in California, Illinois, and elsewhere.

12. Access control increasingly becomes a feature of Proptech, and digital identity continues to merge with physical access.

11. Some states enact new rules to increase election security in light of claims about the integrity of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Others see the new rules as disenfranchising legitimate voters.

10. In one of the most neglected stories of 2021, the global network infrastructure continues its remarkable performance in supporting a massive shift to virtual work. A few glitches aside, the global system of fiber optics, cell towers, routers, servers, switchers, hubs, gateways, operating systems, etc. functions admirably.

9. The consequences of police defunding continue to play themselves out.

8. The insider threat metastasizes with the transition to remote work, a disaffected workforce, slackened controls, labor shortages, rushed background checks, etc.

7. A spate of criminal cases shows that China continues to aggressively target Western technology and trade secrets.

6. The persistent, intractable Covid-19 virus develops the Omicron mutation, which some say may be the most transmissible variation yet.

5. Ransomware attacks proliferate worldwide, notably Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods, interrupting supply chains and disrupting economies.

4. Disinformation, fake news, and conspiracies create turmoil for governments and businesses alike, including mistrust of Covid vaccinations.

3. The pandemic causes an unprecedented mental health crisis.

2. The Great Resignation, or The Big Quit, jolts the global security profession and industry and presents its own security risks.

1. A mob at the U.S. Capitol attempts to overturn the results of the U.S. Presidential election, leading to multiple deaths, the desecration of the Capitol, and a battle over the narrative of the events that continues to this day.