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!
ColumnsManagementLeadership & ManagementSecurity Leadership and ManagementSecurity Education & Training

It's All About What You Say and How You Say It

By Lynn Mattice
Lynn Mattice
It’s All About What You Say and How You Say It
Lynn Mattice
It’s All About What You Say and How You Say It
April 1, 2017

Since the onset of the 24-hour news cycle and the constant barrage of social media blogs, the way things are characterized seems to have evolved into creating the most sensationalized sound bite. It is increasingly difficult to determine what is fact and what is sensationalism these days. What effect does all of this have on our work environments and society in general? Let me share some examples.

Individuals who have become radicalized through social media and the internet are urged on to become home-grown terrorists. The mainstream media typically refers to an individual committing a terrorist act as a lone wolf. A lone wolf is generally described as a calculating and cunning hunter that strikes its prey after careful selection. By referring to these despicable terrorists as lone wolves, some say that this potentially fuels future acts of home-grown terror by lending a somewhat legitimizing label to these despicable acts that provides the perpetrator with some level of stature and validation. Perhaps the media and everyone else can be convinced to refer to these radicalized terrorists as LONE RATS! After all, rats have been despised throughout history because they carried with them an image of plague, death and undermining of civil society. It is doubtful that anyone would view being called a Lone Rat as a badge of honor.

Similarly, ISIS has become the common term to describe one of the worst band of vicious and ruthless killers in modern history. ISIS is the name of choice by these brazen terrorists trying to legitimize themselves as the Islamic State. Their mantra is not just about eliminating all the infidels in the world; they also focus on eliminating anyone who does not support their cause. They have no respect for the rule of law, civility, religious beliefs or the preservation of historical icons. These brutal murderers take to social media with graphic videos of beheadings and other heinous acts, all in the name of recruiting supporters and individuals to join their organization or to promote self-radicalization of others and urge them to conduct terrorists acts in their home countries. The governments of Russia, France and the United Kingdom have made a concerted effort to refer to this organization as Daesh. ISIS hates the name Daesh due to the negative connotation it has in the Arabic language. Perhaps if everyone adopted Daesh instead of ISIS when referring to this group of thugs and murderers, it may help dissuade their supporters and followers.

There are significant undercurrents of discord taking place in societies around the world today. Organizations promoting disruption of societal norms, anarchism and even terrorism get significant coverage from today’s many forms of 24/7 communications. But, what impact does all of this have on everyday civility and order in our society? How does this spill over into our workforce?

Our workplaces are a microcosm of society. As security executives, we face increasing challenges dealing with a workforce inundated with information overload... which includes a lot of misinformation and negativity thrown into the mix. It is incumbent on security executives to monitor and gauge how these societal undercurrents may boil over into the workplace. Violence in the workplace was the number one concern of security executives in the last Security 500 survey. Perhaps a study needs to be conducted to determine if there is any correlation between this constant barrage of messaging and how and if it contributes to violence in the workplace, radicalization and discord in society. Some prime examples worth studying might include the incidents in San Bernadino, Tampa, Nice and Berlin, to name just a few.

Most enterprises today have Value Statements which typically include treating people with dignity, respect and civility. How we communicate with our workforce, our families and those we interact with in our universe of influence can make a substantial difference. Security executives are trusted voices within their enterprises and may just have an important role to play in changing the discourse.

Some may say that workforce communications is the exclusive role of HR or the Corporate Communications department, but as a security executive shouldn’t you also have a role to play? Security is expected to tell it like it is to the C-suite, mid-level management and the workforce in general. Security’s messaging in most enterprises is deeply trusted information, guidance and advice without any spin associated with it.

Many security executives work with their HR departments to include key questions in workforce climate surveys. These surveys can produce significant data on trends in workplace issues and concerns. Properly interpreting this data and the associated trends can assist the security organization in helping the HR and Corporate Communications departments to create training and messaging focused at altering negative behavioral trends and other undercurrents in the workforce.

Educating employees on their individual role in contributing to a positive and productive workplace environment goes a long way. Additionally, reinforcing employees’ responsibility to report issues of concern they see in others can go a long way towards reducing tragic incidents of violence and other insider threats. In the end, it all relates back to treating others with dignity and respect, while creating an environment that promotes harmony and civility.

I welcome your thoughts on how and what role security executives should play in dealing with these issues in the workplace and their communities of influence, as well as in communicating with the workforce on these issues and attempting to impact behavior.

KEYWORDS: active shooter counterterrorism security value statement

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...
    Cyber Tactics Column
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Logical Security
    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

  • How Connected Are You to the Security Business? - Security Magazine

    How Connected Are You to the Business?

    See More
  • Lynn Mattice

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

    See More
  • Influence 1

    Do You Know What Influences Your Actions?

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • November 17, 2025

    SECURITY 500 Conference

    This event is designed to provide security executives, government officials and leaders of industry with vital information on how to elevate their programs while allowing attendees to share their strategies and solutions with other security industry executives.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

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