Nearly a year and a half has passed since the death of Brian Thompson, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of UnitedHealthcare. In the aftermath, boards and management teams have taken a closer look at personal security risks facing senior leaders, particularly as executive visibility continues to rise. These risks have prompted companies to adopt more formalized security arrangements for executives. Common executive security-related perquisites include home security systems with monitoring, dedicated security personnel and enhanced travel protection measures.

Under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), publicly traded companies must disclose executive perquisites that exceed $10,000 in value. These disclosures were traditionally met with skepticism, as critics cited security benefits as excessive and unnecessary. However, heightened threat awareness and high-profile incidents like Mr. Thompson’s death have contributed to a shift in how these expenditures are viewed.

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