Anyone looking to succeed in the security industry has to regularly ask themselves, “How do I adapt to succeed in the current conditions?”
For a long time, security was often sold via fear, i.e., the idea that if you do not do X, then bad things could happen. So you better do X. Unfortunately, this is still done today though less often.
Today, the many true security professionals who view security risks as a whole, either through the perspective of Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) or other points-of-view, strive to define X, calculate likelihood, and define appropriate response. That is how they choose to succeed.
Clearly, there is a concerted split away from Guns, Gates, and Guards, fear mongering, and the no-news-is-good-news mindset. I’m not sure if it is because of ESRM, convergence, or simply a function of time and technology, but the industry is maturing and to that, I say, “It is about time.”
New Challenges of an Industry Growing Up
Today, the security industry is being challenged to do more with less. Not necessarily ideal, this situation has forced us to improve how we plan security and offer security services in order to respond to and fulfill these new plans.
But what about the laggards, those who are not embracing technology in its multiple forms to provide for better security? Well, they are still doing things the way they have always done them, hoping for the best. Interestingly, this approach applies to both corporate security buyers and security service providers.
Measure for Success
If you are asking yourself how to adapt and succeed in the current security industry, the answer, I believe, is data — plain and simple. I am not sharing anything new. Corporate security people have been using data for years in the risk assessment process. Data is at the root of how you assess the likelihood of an incident happening, whether your preferred approach is a worst-case or most-likely scenario.
Data, Connectivity, and Mobility, if integrated into your security program, allow you to be the first to know. You can be the hub of information for your organization. With tools like these in hand, you have the opportunity to step up and elevate your security program from a purely operational concern to one contributing strategic value. By being the person that feeds senior management with critical, value-building information, you may just give yourself a seat at the decision table.
Ready?
The security industry is poised for change. Are you the one who will connect the dots, identify the trends, and protect your corporation’s assets? Will you be perceived as a business enabler or as an old-school thinker set in their ways?
I want to leave you with a question (OK, a few questions: Pick one or as many as you want!).
- Do you agree that the industry is poised for change?
- What have you done to support this change?
- What has worked in your organization to drive change?
Feel free to answer me by email, I would love to hear your point of view.
About TrackTik
TrackTik’s easy-to-use software for security professionals simplifies dramatically how you manage your workforce, streamline processes, and gain operational insight. So your business runs better in real time for a better bottom line.
Mobile and web-based, this powerful suite of tools connects people in the field and clients to your managers with real-time data. Live Dashboard centralizes and displays key metrics, so you can make better decisions supported by data.
