Publisher's Letter: The Business of Security Era Has Arrived

July 1, 2006

And with it, your Business Magazine – designed by and for today’s security executive. You spoke and we listened. During focus groups, roundtables and one-on-one meetings, you shared your need for a business magazine to help you identify solutions and align security with your organization’s goals.

So, as the conversation has shifted from asking “What are we trying to secure” to “What business goal are we trying to achieve?” – driving change in your information needs and resources to succeed – we were eager to learn and change, too.

So what’s new?

First, we brought together the industry’s thought leaders to present the most useful and insightful information each month. Contributors include expert opinions and advice from:

Steve Hunt on Convergence
Cynthia Freschi on Video Security
Jeff Dingle on Access Controls
Michael Khairallah on Strategy
Dean Alexander on Management
Bill Zalud’s Report
And your’s truly on Trends

To learn more about this team, visit their columns and check out their impressive biographies.

Next, our cover stories will reflect the critical issues you raised including this month’s roundtable, “The Changing Role of the Security Executive” from controlling costs to preserving lives. Each month, powerful cover stories will focus on key business issues.

Also new: News and Analysis -- with focus on analysis. Each month in print, and daily online, our focus will be to share the importance and meaning of events that impact your role and success. Perhaps one of the more important, is the focus this month: Avian Flu. Are you prepared?

Similarly, you told us that you did not want pages of product news, but insights into where new innovations and technologies fit and their importance. Our new Innovations Section strives to do exactly that.

Covering the world

As many of you have responsibilities for facilities, operations and new projects outside the United States, we have added an International Section. This month we profile the Bangkok Airport. Opening in July, it is possible the most sophisticated and secure airport in the world.

And we share the strategies, views and outlooks of leading companies supporting the security industry so that you can understand their direction and vision for your enterprise. This month, Ted Bushnik of March Networks worked with Bill Zalud to discuss networked security systems and what March has planned for customers.

There also is a unique profile of a top security executive – John McDonald, director of security at Georgia’s prestigious Northside Hospital, discusses his mission from the perspective of the business and its customer service.

And all the great information that you have recognized Security for in the past still remains. While our sections will have a far sharper business focus than in the past, our coverage will continue to give you the breadth and depth that you expect from us.

We recognize that you, as our reader, expect us to deliver the magazine that helps you in your role an executive leading security strategy for your organization. Thanks to Bill Zalud and his team, this is the best issue we have published. And we know we can get even better. Please give us a read and let us know what you think.

Mark McCourt was once the publisher of Security magazine.

This webinar will offer industry best practices to help your security team create or expand a sustainable program that aids in the fulfillment of your organization’s goals and objectives, while assisting your local agencies in fulfilling some of theirs as well — ultimately offering stronger security and response across both.

This year promises to build on the technological and business model innovations of last year, refine their value propositions, and play a key part for organizations who are navigating through covid-19 and planning for a post-Covid era.