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Since September 11, 2001, the world has changed in many ways, as people are now more conscious of potential security threats in the workplace, in public places, and on airplanes. Though not enthusiastic about government surveillance of phone records and other intrusions, they are concerned enough about terrorism that they accept some restrictions to personal freedom. This mentality is also reflected in corporate security, which has stepped up in recent years to confront potential threats. The Expanding Role Of Security In Business Security measures in industry have become more customized, based on the business. The focus has changed from protecting assets of businesses to protecting businesses themselves, so the security personnel involved are more attuned to the workings of the business. Crisis management and business continuity now go hand-in-hand with security. No longer thought of as "hired guns," security personnel are viewed as an important part of the management team. Risk management involves multiple departments and having executive-level security professionals in the loop can help identify security threats wherever they occur. Departments within a company tend to be territorial, but planning to prevent security threats requires the whole team. Traditionally, personnel with law enforcement and military backgrounds have filled the corporate security ranks. Now, many companies are supplementing this traditional core by training business managers from their own company to take on security functions. They are finding that it is easier to train someone with good interpersonal skills and intensive knowledge of their business on the technical side of security. The Importance Of Data Security Physical security and data security are intrinsically connected. As the World Trade Center disaster proved, businesses may not just lose office space and personnel in a disaster, but data centers, email servers, and business continuity plans were lost too. As a result, many companies back up their data offsite, even in other cities or countries. Though companies are more accepting of the need for security, this does not always translate to companies opening up all the secrets of their operations to security personnel. This puts those who design software and other types of security systems at a disadvantage because they do not always know the extent of the threats a company could face. As a result, they cannot properly design systems to handle threats. They do not always get the support of company IT departments to install security software and company networks. The Rising Cost Of Security Increased security has impacted operational and capital budgets as well, due to the hiring of more security personnel and the need for more equipment. The days of having an alarm, security cameras, and guards to keep people out of buildings during non-business hours has transitioned to an ongoing 24/7 security package that may even include executive protection for high profile individuals and groups.. While business travel is far from dead, increasing security concerns have moved much more business to the web. Online meeting software has enabled face-to-face interaction with lower costs and without the hassle and lost time involved in navigating airport security at multiple facilities. While security spending has increased since 9/11, there is an increasing emphasis on metrics to document its effectiveness and justify its existence. Security personnel and spending on new systems is still one of the first departments to be cut in lean times.
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