Following several major attacks targeting corporate executives in the United States, technology giants have significantly increased their security expenditures. According to reports, by 2024, the security budgets for CEOs of America's top ten tech companies have risen to over $45 million.

Companies including Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Palantir have all seen their security budgets grow by more than 10% year-over-year. Meta stands out with $27 million spent on founder Mark Zuckerberg's protection, exceeding the combined security expenses of Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google CEOs by 26%.

"I have never seen threats and concerns as severe as today," said James Hamilton, founder of Hamilton Security. Hamilton, a former FBI agent and former vice president at Gavin de Becker and Associates, which has provided private security for Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, added: "People view a company's leader as representing all the world's problems."

Roderick Jones, founder of executive security firm Concentric, stated that any company facing "strong public dissatisfaction, a large retail shareholder base, and high executive visibility" now faces structurally higher tail risks.

**$27 Million Security Investment**

Security experts indicate that last year's shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by a suspect who gained online support has sparked widespread concern among business leaders about personal safety. Additionally, a shooting incident in a New York office building in July that killed four people triggered another wave of security demand.

"We've been busier in the first half of this year than in all of 2024," said the founder of executive protection company LaSorsa Security & Associates. The firm has seen a five-fold increase in risk assessment consultations over recent months, with "significant increases" in attacks targeting executive residences.

High-profile tech giants are particularly vulnerable to attacks. Since the 2024 US election, American public sentiment has grown critical of corporate profits, layoffs, data misuse, and executives' increasing political roles.

According to executive compensation specialist Equilar, the tech industry has seen the largest increase in companies providing executive protection measures, growing 73.5% from 2020 to 2024.

Meta has consistently maintained the highest security costs among major tech companies, spending over $27 million in 2024 on protection for Zuckerberg and his family, up from $24 million the previous year. These funds primarily cover security for their residences and travel. This significantly exceeds peer companies because Meta directly provides security for Zuckerberg's family members, not just Zuckerberg himself.

**Musk's Enhanced Security Measures**

Due to death threats and stalkers, Elon Musk has also strengthened his personal security in recent years. Last year, he became President Trump's largest donor and supported right-wing activists in Germany and the UK on social media platform X.

During a meeting last year, Musk told Tesla shareholders: "There have actually been two homicidal maniacs who have tried to kill me in the past roughly seven months."

According to informed sources, Musk now travels with up to 20 security personnel. Last year, he established his own security company, Foundation Security. Tesla disclosed spending $2.4 million on Musk's security in 2023 and has hired his security company, though 2024 security costs were only $500,000, representing just a small portion of Musk's total security expenses.

Since 2010, Amazon has paid $1.6 million annually for Jeff Bezos's security. Last year, the company also spent $1.1 million on CEO Andy Jassy's protection, up from $986,000 the previous year.

However, Apple CEO Tim Cook's security costs decreased from a 2023 high of $2.4 million to $1.4 million last year.

Security concerns have affected industries across the board. According to a Glass Lewis report, following Thompson's killing, companies including CVS Health removed executive photos and personal profiles from their websites. Companies have also implemented stricter travel policies for executives. For example, Lockheed Martin requires its CEO to use only company private aircraft.

JPMorgan Chase spent $882,000 on CEO Jamie Dimon's security in 2024, up from $866,000 in 2023 and $761,000 in 2022.

"Previously, we would see executives targeted by individuals with personal grievances, but violence against corporate leadership has now evolved," said Lianne Kennedy-Boudali, executive protection consultant at global risk consulting firm Control Risks.

Beyond assassination threats, security firms are also tasked with preventing kidnapping, burglary, and stalking. Executives also face cyber threats, including AI-generated voice deepfakes used to authorize fund transfers to untraceable destinations like cryptocurrency wallets.

Cryptocurrency founders and investors were among the earliest and most enthusiastic adopters of security measures. Coinbase spent $6.2 million last year on personal security for CEO Brian Armstrong.

Konstantin Richter, founder of $3.3 billion cryptocurrency company Blockdaemon, attributes part of this threat to "ongoing negative narratives around tech bros and the politicization of technology." He added: "Every time the market rises, things get weird. Keeping a low profile is key."