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!
CybersecurityManagementPhysicalSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementLogical SecuritySecurity & Business ResilienceGovernment: Federal, State and Local

5 Minutes with Richard Amburgey

5Mins-Richard-Amburgey
March 10, 2020

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the United States. 

Richard Amburgey was recently named Chief Security Officer for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It’s the first time that the agency has had someone within the CSO role.

Amburgey will serve as the Chief Security Officer leading, advising, and coordinating security operations, protecting the life and property of the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Headquarters building in Washington, D.C., a 1.2 million square feet multi-tenant facility that houses more than 2,200 occupants. He will be responsible for creating a security program from the ground up to include multi-functional programs with national impact.
 

Security Magazine: As CSO, what is your main focus? 

Amburgey: Security is a newly formed branch for BLS, so my main focus as CSO at BLS will be to create a security program that adds value and provides comprehensive security services in coordination with Interagency Security Committee (ISC) standards. From there, we can then focus on the agency's entire security posture and protecting the employees and property of the BLS National Headquarters building.

Security Magazine: How did your previous roles prepare you for this role?

Amburgey: I began my journey in security with the United States Navy as a Master-at-Arms shortly after 9/11. I served in a variety of security/law enforcement roles before serving as a Protective Services Agent with NCIS providing dignitary protection. The military taught me discipline, attention to detail, core values and how to evaluate risk. After my six years of honorable service, I chose to attend graduate school at Valparaiso University. During the last semester, I was selected by OPM as a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF), a highly selective, prestigious two-year training and leadership development program.

As a PMF, I was the only Fellow with a security background, so I had the opportunity to work in various security programs and roles with the Department of Justice and Social Security Administration. After the PMF program, an opportunity presented itself with FEMA in Chicago, Ill. as their Chief of Regional Security Operations. It was this position that I would say fine-tuned my skills and helped me prepare for the role of CSO. I am most proud of the following during my seven years with FEMA.  

  • We received the first-ever 5–Star Security Program rating in FEMA. 
  • We reduced overall theft/missing government property in the region by 93 percent within the first two years of employment. 
  • We improved the security posture of the region from 68 percent to 92 percent within the first three years. 
  • We developed a regional 'Next-Generation Security Leader' program.
  • We documented more than 18,000 security services to internal and external customers. 

Security Magazine: What are your initial priorities over the next six months?

Amburgey: I had the pleasure to have studied and learned from some highly successful leaders when I was in the military, all of which taught me the value of a solid 30-60-90 day plan following a transition to a new duty station. I intend to utilize that plan and also learn the strengths of my team and the resources I have available to me in the agency.  

Given that this is a newly formed role at BLS, in six months, I anticipate that we will have identified our core security programs. This will then allow us to begin defining how we provide services to our customers, as well as build our brand for better buy-in.         

Security Magazine: What do you hope to accomplish in the longer term, and where do you see opportunities for growth?

Amburgey: My goal is to create a successful, multi-functional security program that provides compliant security services that protect BLS employees, facilities and assets so that BLS personnel can carry out their daily operational duties. Additionally, I hope to reduce complexities in government security and simplify our processes. I am a big fan of standardization but also running security like a business, continuously measuring and building our brand for better buy-in.          

In terms of growth, I see this role further preparing me for my long-term goal, which is to become a Senior Executive Service (SES), Chief Security Officer for a Department in the U.S. government.   

Security Magazine: What do you like to do in your free time?

Amburgey: In my spare time, I enjoy exploring different cuisines with my lovely wife, woodworking, golfing, and expanding my knowledge.   

KEYWORDS: Chief Security Officer (CSO) law enforcement security leadership security operations

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 Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Leadership and Management
    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
Manage My Account
  • 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.

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

From animal habitats to bustling crowds of visitors, a zoo is a one-of-a-kind environment for deploying modern security technologies.

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

  • 5 Mins with Bird

    5 minutes with Richard Bird

    See More
  • Richard Amburgey

    Richard Amburgey Named CSO of Bureau of Labor Statistics

    See More
  • SEC_Web_5Minutes-Mahdi-0922_1170x658.jpg

    5 minutes with David Mahdi — Establishing digital trust with identity-first security

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • physical security.webp

    Physical Security Assessment Handbook An Insider’s Guide to Securing a Business

See More Products
×

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