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Are there any related careers that you think I should consider looking into if I'm interested in security manager?
that might pay the same
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Lauren’s Answer
Hello Jonny - First, thank you for your service, Marine!
A Security Manager role can mean many different things. Having worked in a corporate security environment for the past 17 years, I thought I would share some information about the diverse career paths and roles I've encountered on my own journey:
1. Executive protection - This can involve implementing security solutions at the homes of corporate executives, conducting security assessments in advance of their travels to develop or confirm a safe environment in which to conduct business, and monitoring and responding to threats to those executives. Typically, this role is held by individuals with a background in the military, law enforcement, or proven experience in these activities in a supporting role.
2. Travel security - The idea here is to monitor where employees of the organization are traveling to determine if they could be at risk due to uncertain circumstances (geopolitical conflict, natural disasters, terrorism, etc). Should one of those risks become reality or should an employee become ill or injured or lose their government identification, the security manager would work with local resources (law enforcement, local medical or security organizations), to ensure the safe completion of the trip or to organize the employee's care and return home. Having a solid understanding of travel procedures, how to navigate government organizations, to monitor and respond to quickly changing situations, and being willing to work varying hours across time zones is very helpful in this role.
3. Security systems - These security managers stay abreast of, and guide organizations on, the technology available to protect physical assets like office buildings, warehouses, event centers, etc. This could include badging/access systems, video monitoring systems, face identification systems, entry/exit doors, etc. Having a background in technology and an understanding of good security practices is helpful, along with the ability to manage cross-functional relationships and budgets.
4. Security teams - This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing people. You would be responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling a security guard workforce to meet business requirements. It's important to have held a leadership role in your prior military career to demonstrate you're ready to lead the team. It's also important to have a basic business sense, as you'd manage processes like budgeting, planning, and talent management.
5. Operational security/resilience - This is where I landed in the security field and is a great option as it is a role and an industry that continues to grow in relevance and importance. The role involves working with key leaders across the organization to identify the most critical business operations that must continue or be recovered quickly following some type of disruption - think weather events, pandemics, technology outages, strikes, etc. From there, you identify the supporting components of those operations - people, technology, equipment, vendors - and determine if they are sufficiently positioned to support the organization's operational needs. Finally, you develop contingency plans and workarounds to enable the business to continue operating or recover quickly in the face of a disruption. This doesn't require any law enforcement or military background and is more focused on business operations. A business management degree, project management skills, and relationship management skills are all keys to success.
I hope this gives you an idea of the breadth of the security field in a corporate environment. I have found it to be exciting, diverse, and gratifying and I encourage you to find the area that excites you the most. Whatever direction you choose to go in, having a passion for what you do is what makes a career successful.
Consider which role in security intrigues you the most, and obtain the skills/certifications necessary to succeed in that role.
Network! Security is a field where having a good reputation and being trusted is paramount. Make those connections and show them you are upstanding and trustworthy.
A Security Manager role can mean many different things. Having worked in a corporate security environment for the past 17 years, I thought I would share some information about the diverse career paths and roles I've encountered on my own journey:
1. Executive protection - This can involve implementing security solutions at the homes of corporate executives, conducting security assessments in advance of their travels to develop or confirm a safe environment in which to conduct business, and monitoring and responding to threats to those executives. Typically, this role is held by individuals with a background in the military, law enforcement, or proven experience in these activities in a supporting role.
2. Travel security - The idea here is to monitor where employees of the organization are traveling to determine if they could be at risk due to uncertain circumstances (geopolitical conflict, natural disasters, terrorism, etc). Should one of those risks become reality or should an employee become ill or injured or lose their government identification, the security manager would work with local resources (law enforcement, local medical or security organizations), to ensure the safe completion of the trip or to organize the employee's care and return home. Having a solid understanding of travel procedures, how to navigate government organizations, to monitor and respond to quickly changing situations, and being willing to work varying hours across time zones is very helpful in this role.
3. Security systems - These security managers stay abreast of, and guide organizations on, the technology available to protect physical assets like office buildings, warehouses, event centers, etc. This could include badging/access systems, video monitoring systems, face identification systems, entry/exit doors, etc. Having a background in technology and an understanding of good security practices is helpful, along with the ability to manage cross-functional relationships and budgets.
4. Security teams - This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing people. You would be responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling a security guard workforce to meet business requirements. It's important to have held a leadership role in your prior military career to demonstrate you're ready to lead the team. It's also important to have a basic business sense, as you'd manage processes like budgeting, planning, and talent management.
5. Operational security/resilience - This is where I landed in the security field and is a great option as it is a role and an industry that continues to grow in relevance and importance. The role involves working with key leaders across the organization to identify the most critical business operations that must continue or be recovered quickly following some type of disruption - think weather events, pandemics, technology outages, strikes, etc. From there, you identify the supporting components of those operations - people, technology, equipment, vendors - and determine if they are sufficiently positioned to support the organization's operational needs. Finally, you develop contingency plans and workarounds to enable the business to continue operating or recover quickly in the face of a disruption. This doesn't require any law enforcement or military background and is more focused on business operations. A business management degree, project management skills, and relationship management skills are all keys to success.
I hope this gives you an idea of the breadth of the security field in a corporate environment. I have found it to be exciting, diverse, and gratifying and I encourage you to find the area that excites you the most. Whatever direction you choose to go in, having a passion for what you do is what makes a career successful.
Lauren recommends the following next steps:
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Jonny’s Answer
Excellent query! It's a good idea to look into uniformed roles within government organizations, as they provide numerous security jobs and internships. Additionally, enrolling in college classes and obtaining security-related certifications can greatly assist you in advancing beyond your colleagues and making a strong impression!
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
That's a fantastic idea! Definitely consider obtaining a Security+ certification. It's a significant and well-recognized achievement that will give you a head start in landing security-related jobs. With this certification, you'll not only show potential employers your competence, but also your eagerness to learn and grow professionally. So, go ahead and make your career dreams come true – you've got this!