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!
Security Leadership and Management

Influential? Everybody Can Be

Bill Cunningham
August 1, 2011
Bill Cunningham

Everyone has the ability to influence. Bill Cunningham, previously spotlighted by Security magazine for his accomplishments, has helped better define the need for private-public partnerships. “The combination of increased demands and stagnant or declining police resources makes it clear that, now more than ever, law enforcement agencies must pursue all avenues for collaboration with the security industry, as well as with each other.”

This issue of Security magazine features the most influential people in security. An annual spotlight, the list boasts the best and brightest.

But anyone can be influential, one way or another. Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another, said Napoleon Hill, the author of many success books. A Time magazine poll of the most influential people recently found Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao on top. If you know him from the boxing ring, his influence spread wider last year when he won a seat in his country’s Congress — and won it by a landslide.

Who knows what efforts impact others?

I don’t always but, after three decades in this business, my guess is that Bill Cunningham has, overtly and covertly, done an awful lot, in a very good way. I know and honor those people identified in this issue, and Cunningham was a Most Influential in a previous issue.

 

A Matter of Numbers

But, when it comes to the evolution of enterprise security leaders and the importance and impact of this group, this leader and his accomplishments mark three important security industry realizations. In sheer numbers, ability, and training, private security – whether within enterprise or contracted – is often the first responder as compared to law enforcement, fire fighters and EMTs. In sheer dollars, enterprise security and its government colleagues purchase billions of dollars of technology and services. And, third, partnerships between public and private are ongoing and contributing to the protection of society.

There was a time, some of you might remember, when security directors often came from the ranks of retired law enforcement. That may still be the case with some organizations. But there and elsewhere, the bar has been set higher, thanks in great measure to folks such as ASIS International and the Security Executive Council.

The founder of Hallcrest Systems, Cunningham authored two of the most influential books to impact the security profession. For the first time in a definitive manner, he drew a detailed picture of private security operations, technology, trends and comparison to law enforcement.

“Security is a force multiplier,” said Cunningham, when he was picked as a Most Influential. “The 9/11 Commission confirmed just how dependent the nation is on the security industry. More than two million persons are believed to be employed in private security in the U.S. This is roughly three times the number of state and local law enforcement officers. Viewing private security – technology and human resources – as a force multiplier does not ignore differences between police and private security in legal authority or accountability.

 

Critical Role

“Rather, this viewpoint acknowledges that security works in certain critical areas that police simply cannot cover because of a lack of human resources, a mandate and/or technology; and security is a growth industry, since local and state law enforcement is not projected to grow significantly in the future,” he said.

That still is the case.

As dollars continue to tighten on the federal, state and local levels, agencies are not growing their first responder ranks and in some cases cutting back. In some cases, local city police departments have disappeared as county sheriff forces take over. Uniquely, technology, especially security cameras, has proved a way for public-private partnerships. Cities as varied as New York, Chicago and Lancaster, Pa., are blending private and public cameras into a bigger, more powerful network for situational awareness and forensics. In Lancaster, for instance, the business community established and helps monitor cameras on the street.

Influence is relative, of course.

Still there are numerous people who have touched others and moved this profession forward, including those noted in this issue. In their own way, everyone can influence. Remember: let no man or woman imagine that he or she has no influence. Whoever he may be, and wherever he may be placed, the person who thinks becomes a light and a power.    

KEYWORDS: Hallcrest Systems security director

Share This Story

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

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 Leadership and Management
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

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

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Technologies & Solutions
    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

  • data

    Data security governance strategies can be a business differentiator

    See More
  • Children huddled in the corner of a classroom

    What lessons can be learned following a school shooting

    See More
  • SEC0919-Mobile-Feat-slide1_900px

    Can the Tsunami of Phone-Based Social Engineering be Contained?

    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