Last year the Security 500 Report research identified the Risk-Nado facing security organizations. It pointed out how global risk matrix, the role of security and the expected results were all expanding quickly. As a solution, we identified with the theme of the book (and movie) “Money Ball” and the application of quantifiable mathematics to predict how a player will do in a specific situation.

Fast-forward one year. The security profession, the technology solutions being employed and the advanced risk management programs have created “The Predictive Revolution.” The change is apparent in Security 500 enterprises that are moving their programs far forward to gather intelligence and connect the data points to identify trends and get in front of risk by predicting an adverse event. From insider threats to weather to protests; security appears to have more in common with online marketing than law enforcement tactics.

Being Predictive makes CSOs stand taller, talk louder and proudly give tours of their physical, cyber and intelligence security operation centers (SOCs). The Predictive Revolution begins the end game that CEOs have sought since 9/11, the direct and measurable tie-in to enterprise goals that ensure resilience. And it is already showing results that are by boosting employee morale, faith in their company and their own safety, reduced expenses in manpower and post-event brand equity, operational and legal costs. It is generating C-Suite performance metrics and information that is going right to the bottom line.

Paul Gillen and Eric Schwarzman wrote in Social Marketing:  “The most essential skill for the marketer has become the ability to listen.” The same is true for security organizations that follow tweets, review Facebook posts and leverage big data. The Predictive Revolution is so powerful some CSOs even had new head shot photos taken Seriously, this is big and important because it directly improved life safety and support programs.

The 2014 Security 500 List

New this year, the Security 500 Survey allowed enterprises that wanted to participate in the benchmark program, but not be ranked, to be included alphabetically. Some enterprises have not participated because of the potential connotation that the ranking may have placed on their security operations or enterprises. The purpose of the Security 500 has never been to create a beauty contest, but you are a competitive bunch, and in some instances, that has been the result. Therefore, you will find two groupings in each sector this year. First, are the Security 500 members ranked by metrics group. Second is a non-ranked, alphabetical listing of well-deserving Security 500 membership enterprises. All of the companies that participated in the survey will receive their confidential benchmark reports in early November. Please note that the 500 enterprises and their leaders that comprise the Security 500 are the best security departments in the world and should be proud of and commended for their achievement. 

The Security 500 Conference will be held on November 17th in Washington D.C. starting at 11 a.m. We have an outstanding program planned for the day, and this executive level event is complimentary to qualified security leaders. If you are interesting in learning more, please visit www.security500.com.

If you cannot attend in person, you may want to register for and attend the Security 500 Webinar being presented on November 20th at 1 p.m. ET. For details or to register, please visit securitymagazine.com/webinars/Security500

Thought Leadership

A very special thank you to the security thought leaders who gave so much of their time, energy and themselves. You can read their stories and how they think about business and leadership in this year’s report. They are:

On behalf of Securitymagazine, we hope you find the 2014 Security 500 Report insightful and valuable. We welcome all feedback, and we look forward to seeing you at the Security 500 Conference.