Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Zalund Report: There’s perception and there’s reality. And, then, there’s politics.

By Bill Zalud
September 11, 2006
Bill Zalud


One dialog centers on “Are Americans safer today from terrorist threats because of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan?” Lives are being lost and money continues to be spent. Perception, reality and politics play out in that discussion; but the elements also play out in enterprise security.
They all are in play in Washington, D.C., of course. And in statehouses and city halls. But perception, reality and politics also are elements within enterprise security operations and law enforcement efforts.

Nationally the dialog centers on the question: “Are Americans safer today from terrorist threats because of our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan?” Especially after all the blood that’s been spilled and all the money that continues to be spent.

Polls such as from the Washington Post-ABC folks or CBS tend to show this summer that a majority of Americans believe the war in Iraq has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States. A larger majority expects a terrorist attack on the U.S. in “the next few months.”

POLLS MEASURE PERCEPTION

No doubt, these polls really measure perception and not reality. Measured is the feelings of Americans and their believes; most Americans do not have the facts and figures available to government, intelligence and national law enforcement officials. And, hold on to your partisan hat, when you throw in politics, even the facts and figures can take a dizzying spin.

So what does all this have to do with enterprise security; you know, the prox card, dome camera in the parking lot, ID badging, security guard says hello world you live in?

Air travelers are OK with losing the hair gel but draw the line at banning carry-on bags and cellular phones. Here President George W. Bush presented Motorola CTO Padmasree Warrior the National Medal of Technology at a White House ceremony. Motorola invented the cellular phone.

Perception. Reality. And politics. That’s what.

If people (employees, CEOs, contractors, visitors) have the perception they are unsafe then, no matter the budget, crime stats, policies, procedures, technologies or communications, there is a security problem. Reality tends to be an argument and not a state of mind. There’s also organizational politics. No left or right, but office politics often revolves around territory, power, budgets and the attention of the boss.

During interviews with some of the Security 500 executives, this month’s cover article, there are tipping points in addition to perception, reality and politics. Two important ones: privacy and convenience. Organizations are discovering there may be a very high cost after incidents of privacy invasion. At the same time, chief security officers at some operations are discovering that there is a danger when security becomes too inconvenient.

For example, the recent data loss incidents at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have led Congress to take aim at forcing security organizational changes and process improvements at the VA and other federal departments and agencies, according to a report released by INPUT. Last month’s Security Magazine News & Analysis covered this issue. “The root cause of these incidents, and the root cause of most of the security problems facing the federal government on a fairly consistent basis for the last decade or longer, is culture,” Bruce Brody at INPUT told the Zalud Report.

LEGISLATION ADDRESES THREATS

Current efforts to improve information security that are expected to play out in the coming months include legislation expected to affect changes in the VA’s organization and FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act). Legislation has been introduced to elevate the position of the VA Chief Information Officer (CIO) to an under secretary and to modify FISMA to clarify the enforcement authority of the CIO. From the time FISMA legislation is passed, the CIO at decentralized departments and agencies will no longer be able to simply issue policies, but will also be tasked with enforcing those policies by holding people accountable for violating them.

Concerning the issue of convenience of security measures, the recent transatlantic airline terror plot proves the point. A CBS poll of Americans shows that 75 percent believe a ban on liquids and gels is “necessary.” But hardly any want a ban on those gosh-awful wheeled carts; and don’t touch our cell phones, laptops and iPods.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Zalud 2016 200px

Bill was the editor emeritus of Security Magazine, and he can be reached at (773) 929-6859.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    New Security Technology
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Smartphone used for security

    Another Evolution?

    See More
  • Poor Sister No More: Access Enters Spotlight, Again

    See More
  • cards feat

    Adding Value by Adding Functions to Cards and Badges

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing