What If? Are You Ready?

Sep 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Larry Anderson, Editor

Assume the unexpected. Despite the warnings I have heard over the years about the dangers of assuming, I think it's a safe assumption that today's security professional will continue to be faced with things that are not only unexpected, but also are things that at one time would have been unthinkable. Certainly much of today's possible threats qualify as unusual.

It's a thought that occurred to me this month as I was reading our Security Director of the Year and Security Honor Roll profiles.

Certainly Curt Armbruster of Northrop Grumman is assuming the unexpected as he struggles to develop a plan to ensure business continuity. Having learned the lessons of Hurricane Katrina, many companies are doing the same thing. Although nobody knows what the next disaster might be — an avian flu pandemic? — we all have to assume that it will not only be unexpected, but a huge challenge for security professionals and the companies they work for.

Brad Brekke of Target Corp. certainly has to be ready for the unexpected as his company interacts with various cultures around the world. So does Steven Davis of Qualcomm as he deals globally with the challenges of protecting intellectual property. A third example is Nicholas Nilio of the Broadway House for Continuing Care, who has to plan ahead for the possible emergency evacuation of an HIV/AIDS care facility.

Taking these stories together can simultaneously confirm one's faith in our preparedness, and open our eyes anew to the enormity of the tasks at hand. Can we ever be prepared enough? (I would assume no.) Shouldn't we always be looking for more things we can do? (I would assume that we should.) The security professionals we are honoring this month are clearly doing their part. Are you doing yours?

We welcome your feedback:
E-mail landerson@securitysolutions.com

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This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue