In order to ensure the safety and security of an organization’s personnel, a Chief Security Officer (CSO) must be able to identify, assess and develop appropriate responses to a wide range of potential and actual threats as they evolve in real time. This presents a Herculean challenge since security, while recognized as critical, is also preferred to be invisible in day-to-day operations. Substantial guidance in these efforts is available from the communities of law enforcement, the private sector and emergency planners. In particular, it is worth summarizing five central insights that can assist CSOs as they work to protect their organizations.