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!
Leadership & ManagementSecurity Leadership and Management

Walk a Mile in Their Moccasins

By Lynn Mattice
Walk a Mile in Their Moccasins; security officer, security contracts, third-party security management, security procurement
March 1, 2016

Throughout my career as a CSO, I have had the opportunity to manage proprietary and contract security forces, as well as having had a very large hybrid operation that was a mix of both proprietary and contract security officers. Security forces play different roles in different industries and, for that matter, with different companies within the same industries. The role ranges from the old-fashioned night watchman to highly skilled first responders and a broad range in between.

A well trained and motivated security force performs many important functions. The officers may be armed or unarmed, uniformed or plain-clothed. They may have stationary posts or may be on patrol. They may run the Security Operations Center where they field administrative and emergency calls, dispatch first responders (internal and/or external), monitor alarms and security video, and manage the switchboard for the enterprise either on a full-time or after-hours basis. In many enterprises, the security force includes a cadre of Emergency Medical Technicians who are credited for saving many lives that may have otherwise been lost waiting for local municipal emergency services.

Frequently security personnel create the first impression of an enterprise. In many instances they control access to the enterprise’s site or a specific building to which an employee, contractor, vendor, supply chain partner or a visitor needs to enter to support the enterprise’s operations. Properly selected and trained security forces become “ambassadors” for the enterprise… while poorly selected and trained security officers can leave a lasting impression that is either negative or may even be detrimental to the enterprise. The security force is a vital element in the resiliency of many enterprises… somewhat in the same manner as an insurance policy.

The point of all this is to highlight an issue that should be front and center with individuals charged with the responsibility of managing the security force for the enterprise. When was the last time you assessed the quality of your security force personnel? Do you ensure that the security officers get paid a living wage, or do you acquiesce to the procurement organization whose primary focus is on reducing costs and as a result, treat service providers as commodities?

Most enterprises have a Standard of Business Conduct and Values.  Is the manner in which you manage your security force consistent with your enterprise’s values?  Make it a priority to establish living wages for your security personnel! Put yourself in their shoes... could you afford to live in your community on their wages? Carefully select security personnel and provide them on-going training. Above all else, treat them with dignity and respect, and not as a commodity!

KEYWORDS: security contracts security management security officer security procurement

Share This Story

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

Mattice 2016 200px

Lynn Mattice is Managing Director of Mattice & Associates, a top-tier management consulting firm focused primarily at assisting enterprises with ERM, cyber, intelligence, security and information asset protection programs. He can be reached at: matticeandassociates@gmail.com

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...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Enterprise Services
    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

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

Person working on laptop

Governance in the Age of Citizen Developers and AI

Shopping mall

Victoria’s Secret Security Incident Shuts Down Website

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

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

  • Lynn Mattice

    A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

    See More
  • Developing an In-Depth Understanding of the Business - Security Magazine

    How to Develop an In-Depth Understanding of the Business

    See More
  • Lynn Mattice

    What is a Best Practice, and Should You Deploy Them?

    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