UK security industry records almost 250% export increase over last decade

The UK’s Security and Resilience sector has seen its total exports increase by 244% since 2014, new data shows.

According to ADS’s 2025 Security & Resilience Sector UK Outlook, turnover in the Security and Resilience Sector reached £24bn in 2024, representing growth of 176% from a decade earlier. Morevoer, security and resilience exports accounted for £11.7bn in 2024, half of the sector’s revenue.

The Security and Resilience Outlook highlights the sector is undergoing three fundamental shifts:

• Technology and cyber security – AI is reshaping both defensive and offensive security theatres.
• Public safety and national resilience – Changing patterns in terrorism, organised crime, and emergency planning challenges require urgent policy responses.
• Geopolitics and economic security – The UK’s defence and security priorities are evolving in response to spiralling global instability.

The report further reveals that in total 148,250 people are employed in the security and resilience sector, representing an 89% increase on 2014. The average salary for someone employed in the security sector has increased 47% in the last ten years to reach £49,000 – one third higher than the economy average.

Jon Gray, Director for the Security and Resilience sector at ADS commented: “The Security and Resilience sector is a silent guardian to the UK, delivering world-leading technologies that keep our people safe, our country resilient and deliver on our international obligations. Against an increasing backdrop of geopolitical instability, we continue to form an industrial bedrock. For industry, the dynamic changes we are observing bring both challenges and commercial opportunities starting with investment in cyber defences through to shaping the next generation of security technologies.”

“With over 900 members active in the security and resilience space, we look forward to working with industry, government and academic stakeholders to ensure our full potential – and our obligations to society – are delivered in tandem.”