The security landscape has never been more complex. In this blog, Tracy Reinhold talks about how leaders can stay ahead of growing threats and create a security strategy that keeps their organizations strong.
Corporate security has evolved dramatically over the past decade. No longer confined to physical risks like break-ins or property damage, security now encompasses cyber threats, insider risks, and even the impact of global instability. The convergence of physical and digital risks has created a complex threat landscape, requiring organizations to think holistically about security.
For security leaders, this complexity presents both challenges and opportunities. Those who adapt quickly, leverage technology, and foster collaboration across teams can position their organizations as resilient and forward-thinking. This blog explores the current security landscape, key leadership strategies, and actionable lessons for managing security in an era of constant change.
The current security landscape: Challenges and trends
The traditional view of corporate security, focused primarily on physical assets, has shifted dramatically. Modern organizations face a convergence of risks that are deeply interconnected. Consider these key trends:
1. The convergence of physical and digital risks
Cyber-physical threats are on the rise. For example, a cyberattack on a building’s access control system could compromise physical safety, while a disruption to IoT-connected devices could shut down entire operations. Organizations must address these hybrid threats with integrated strategies that span both physical and digital domains.
2. Global instability
From political unrest to natural disasters, global instability is introducing new vulnerabilities. According to the Global Peace Index, incidents of civil unrest have increased by over 50% in the past decade, affecting supply chains, employee safety, and business continuity.
3. The expanding security perimeter
The rise of remote work and hybrid models has blurred the traditional security boundaries. Home networks, personal devices, and cloud-based platforms have expanded the attack surface, creating new vulnerabilities for cyberattacks and insider threats.
These trends underscore the need for organizations to rethink their approach to security, moving from reactive measures to proactive strategies that anticipate and mitigate risks.
Key leadership lessons for modern security management
Effective security leadership requires more than technical expertise; it demands strategic vision, adaptability, and collaboration. Here are three essential lessons for navigating today’s complex security landscape:
1. Security is a shared responsibility
Security cannot be siloed within a single department. It must be embedded across the organization, with clear roles and responsibilities for every team. Employees should be educated about potential risks, from phishing emails to suspicious activity on-site, and empowered to act.
For example, a manufacturing company implemented a company-wide security awareness program, including regular training and simulated phishing exercises. As a result, employees became more vigilant, reducing the likelihood of both cyber and physical breaches.
2. Agility Is essential
In a world where threats evolve rapidly, agility is a critical capability. Security leaders must be able to pivot quickly in response to emerging risks, whether it’s a new ransomware attack or geopolitical instability.
Agility also requires access to real-time data and insights. Leveraging tools like threat intelligence platforms and incident response systems enables organizations to detect and respond to risks faster. For instance, a retail company used predictive analytics to identify potential disruptions during a major protest, allowing it to reroute deliveries and avoid delays.
3. Data-driven decision making
Data is one of the most powerful tools for security leaders. By analyzing historical incident reports, monitoring current risks, and leveraging predictive analytics, organizations can make informed decisions to mitigate threats proactively.
For example, a healthcare organization analyzed patterns of attempted breaches on its network and used this data to strengthen its defenses, reducing the likelihood of future attacks. Data-driven insights also help leaders allocate resources effectively, focusing efforts where they’re needed most.
The role of collaboration in security
Collaboration is at the heart of modern security strategies. No single team or department can address today’s multifaceted risks alone. Here’s how collaboration drives better security outcomes:
1. Breaking down silos
Security leaders must foster collaboration across IT, HR, operations, and leadership. For example, IT teams can work with HR to identify insider threats, while operations teams can coordinate with security to ensure physical safety during an emergency.
2. External partnerships
Collaborating with external partners, such as local law enforcement, emergency responders, and industry peers, enhances an organization’s ability to respond to crises. During a natural disaster, for instance, organizations that have pre-established relationships with emergency services can recover faster and protect employees more effectively.
3. Sharing threat intelligence
Participating in threat intelligence sharing networks allows organizations to stay ahead of emerging risks. For example, cybersecurity organizations that share data on new malware strains can help others prepare and defend against similar attacks.
Case studies: Security resilience in action
1. Tech sector
A global tech company faced increasing risks from cyberattacks targeting its remote workforce. By implementing zero-trust architecture, requiring multifactor authentication, and deploying endpoint detection tools, the company significantly reduced successful breaches. Collaboration between IT, security, and HR teams ensured smooth implementation and employee compliance.
2. Retail sector
During a period of heightened civil unrest, a retail chain leveraged its security operations center (SOC) to monitor real-time data on protests near its stores. The SOC coordinated with local law enforcement to implement precautionary measures, including adjusting store hours and rerouting deliveries. These actions prevented property damage and ensured employee safety.
Looking ahead: The future of corporate security
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, organizations must stay ahead by embracing innovation and fostering collaboration. The future of corporate security will be defined by adaptability, proactive planning, and the integration of technology and human expertise.
Key trends to watch include the rise of AI-driven threats, the growing importance of supply chain security, and the convergence of cybersecurity with physical security. Leaders who prioritize agility, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration will be best positioned to navigate these challenges.
Corporate security is no longer just about protecting assets—it’s about enabling resilience, building trust, and driving long-term success. By adopting these principles, organizations can thrive in an era of complexity and uncertainty.
Security resilience starts with leadership. Tracy’s approach focuses on preparation, communication, and building a culture of vigilance. Take a fresh look at your security posture today and see where your organization can strengthen its defenses.
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Here are a few tips for using your notification system to keep your organization and constituents informed and safe.
Before a hurricane hits
- Safety and preparedness guidance. Provide employees, citizens, and others with tips for preparing their homes and families for a hurricane.
- Situational updates. Keep management in the loop with regular updates, which will also reassure them that you are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to act. Include graphic attachments of the storm’s progress.
- Conference calls. Coordinate briefings with internal teams, county services, PSAPs, and city officials.
During a hurricane
- Response team and Emergency Operations Center activation. Notify and assemble emergency response teams. Use quota notifications to determine people resource availability and polling for reporting times.
- Emergency operations directives. Enact emergency plans and policies. Attach documents as needed.
- Situational updates. Provide management, response, teams, and constituents with ongoing status updates as the hurricane progresses, gets worse, or gets better. Provide reassurance.
- Safety reminders. Sustain communications throughout the hurricane. Reinforce safety precautions and necessary actions.
- Building and road closures. Issue alerts for weather-related closures and cancellations to keep people out of harm’s way. Reiterate work-from-home and other related policies.
- Evacuation notices. Manage evacuations, provide shelter-in-place guidance, and issue status updates and re-entry instructions.
- Wellness checks. Conduct wellness checks with the elderly and special needs populations through real-time polling.
- Conference calls. Leverage conference calls to brief the team and determine next steps.
After a hurricane abates
- All-clear alerts. Bring response efforts to an orderly close by sending out an all-clear message.
- Recovery and return-to-normalcy advisories. Advise citizens and others on next steps, including providing re-entry instructions, resumption of normal business processes, and more.
- Clean-up coordination. Manage volunteer availability and coordinate field activities.
- After-action reporting. Attach after-action report templates to follow-up notifications, ensuring all teams are using one standard format for efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
How some organizations use incident notification during hurricanes
Bank of Hawaii – Bank of Hawaii uses the Everbridge incident notification system extensively for hurricanes, tropical storms, and other natural disasters, sending numerous reports for each event, including twice-daily status updates and instructions to employees, executive management, the call center, and the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). Messages provide advice on preparing property and ensuring personal safety, status updates and graphics tracking the hurricanes’ progress, Bank of Hawaii’s preparations and proactive measures, and emergency response plan reminders. Read more about Bank of Hawaii’s incident notification usage and get a sample message from Tropical Storm Hilda.
City of Glendale, Arizona – Glendale also chose to enhance its mass notification capabilities with Everbridge, which further enables the city to target potentially life-saving communications to impacted areas by simply drawing geo-fenced shapes on a map, allowing public safety officials to quickly and accurately reach the largest number of people in those zones. Recipients may include the most vulnerable and often underserved populations, such as residents with special needs; dependence on supplemental oxygen or medications; cognitive, visual, or hearing impairment; and those lacking Internet access.
City of Galveston – Throughout Hurricane Ike, the City of Galveston used the Everbridge incident notification system to alert and update its residents, emergency personnel and key officials about evacuations, road closures and deployments. Officials used the platform’s voice and text message capabilities to mobilize staff and deliver essential public safety information—including hurricane warnings, evacuation orders and reentry instructions—to its residents and businesses. Read more about how Galveston used incident notification to protect residents.