Step Up Your Profile

Dec 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Michael Fickes

           

In a way, the term security may have become a misnomer for the kind of risk management work expected of today's security managers and chief security officers. In the business world, however, it is not unusual for assignments to grow over time.

Eventually, the strategic thinkers will end up in the executive-level positions, probably with a new C-level title such as chief security officer — or something else. Will you be one of them?

The Conference Board report, titled “Navigating Risk: The Business Case for Security,” surveyed 213 senior corporate executives not directly responsible for security and risk issues. The survey aimed to gauge the influence (or political position) of security managers among senior executives by profiling the alignment of security activities with business objectives.

The most effective alignment was found on issues involving operational risks:

• 79% of the respondents said that security activities in their firms effectively aligned with the task of complying with government regulations;

• 74% said that security activities aligned with the process of protecting confidential information at their firms;

• 72% made the claim for meeting certification standards;

• 71% cited maintaining business continuity and ensuring customer safety;

• 60% of the executives said that security activities at their firms effectively aligned with limiting financial risks and defending against litigation.

  On the other hand, the executives reported much lower levels of alignment between security activities and business activities related to long-range strategic company objectives.

• 56% of senior executives believe their company security operations aligned with the need to keep pace with competitors;

• 44% felt that security was helping enhance the value of the company brands;

• 36% saw a connection between security and supply chain management; and

• 35% perceived any security influence over new business opportunities.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.

Select an Issue September 1, 2008 August 1, 2008 July 1, 2008 School Security IP Security Supplement June 1, 2008 May 1, 2008 April 1, 2008 March 1, 2008 February 1, 2008 January 1, 2008 December 1, 2007 November 1, 2007 October 1, 2007 September 1, 2007 August 1, 2007 July 1, 2007 June 1, 2007 IP Security Supplement May 1, 2007 April 1, 2007 March 1, 2007 February 1, 2007 January 1, 2007 School Security December 1, 2006 November 1, 2006 October 1, 2006 September 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 July 1, 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 1, 2006 March 1, 2006 February 1, 2006 January 1, 2006 December 1, 2005 November 1, 2005 October 1, 2005 September 1, 2005 August 1, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 1, 2005 May 1, 2005 April 1, 2005 March 1, 2005 February 1, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 1, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 1, 2004 September 1, 2004 August 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 June 1, 2004 May 1, 2004 April 1, 2004 March 1, 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 October 1, 1997 September 1, 1997 August 1, 1997 July 1, 1997 June 1, 1997 May 1, 1997 April 1, 1997 March 1, 1997 February 1, 1997 January 1, 1997

This month in Access Control

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