The headlines from July 2025 paint a stark picture of Britain’s security landscape. Cyber attacks are costing retailers hundreds of millions, and shop theft is reaching unprecedented levels.

For security professionals and the public alike, understanding these security risks isn’t just academic—it’s essential.

The Cyber Battlefield

Recent attacks on M&S, Co-op, and Harrods demonstrate how quickly digital security risks devastate major companies. M&S faces £300 million in losses, with IT systems not fully operational until November. The National Crime Agency arrested four suspects, including teenagers, showing that massive damage doesn’t require sophisticated state actors—just young criminals with laptops.

Most alarming: M&S chairman Archie Norman revealed two other large UK companies suffered similar unreported incidents within four months. Major British companies are losing hundreds of millions to cyber attacks we only hear about by accident.

Street-Level Crisis

Shop theft reached 516,971 recorded offences in 2024—a 20% increase, representing the highest level since police recording began in 2003. Scottish convenience stores spend an average of £19,673 annually on crime-related costs, up nearly £5,000 from previous years.

The Association of Convenience Stores estimates 6.2 million thefts in convenience stores alone, revealing massive under-reporting. Workers face “kamikaze” shoplifting—offenders openly clearing shelves with no mask and no fear, knowing prosecution is unlikely.

The Professional Response

The government’s commitment to recruit 13,000 additional officers signals recognition that current resources are insufficient. The recently awarded Security Operations Centre contract, running from 2025 to 2028 with a possible extension to 2034, demonstrates long-term investment in integrated security solutions.

Major security companies are actively recruiting. Wilson James offers £12.89 per hour in Southampton, Mitie £12.60 in Edinburgh—competitive rates reflecting increased responsibility. With 451,000 active SIA licences and 91% satisfaction among recent applicants, the industry successfully adapts to new challenges.

What This Means for Security Professionals

These threats create unprecedented opportunities. The convergence of physical and cyber security demands professionals who understand both traditional security risks and digital vulnerabilities. Security roles that didn’t exist five years ago are now in high demand.

Companies like OCS (£190 million revenue), TSS (£140 million), and Wilson James (£120 million) demonstrate market potential for organisations navigating this landscape. The emphasis on professional security training isn’t just compliance—it’s ensuring security professionals can protect people and property in an increasingly dangerous world.

Modern security work means understanding how cyber attacks remain hidden while causing massive damage, how social media coordinates mass mobilisation, and how state actors operate on British streets. It’s challenging but essential work.

The Bigger Picture

July 2025 represents the new baseline, not a temporary spike. Sophisticated cyber criminals and organised retail crime aren’t disappearing. This reality requires a more professional, better-trained, and adaptable security landscape.

For security professionals, this means being on the front lines protecting Britain from threats ranging from teenage hackers to foreign intelligence services. The work is challenging but vital, and there’s never been a greater need for people willing to do it properly. The security risks are real, the stakes are high, and the need for professional security services has never been greater. With streamlined SIA licensing processes, competitive wages, and genuine advancement opportunities, now is the time to join this essential profession.

Get Licensed prepares professionals for these realities. Our SIA training programmes don’t just cover basics—they prepare you for complex, interconnected security risks defining modern security work.

Ready to be part of the solution? Start your security career by booking a security course with Get Licensed today.