New Executive Development Program Bridges Security-Business Gap

November 1, 2011, Atlanta, GA—In January, the Security Executive Council will launch the first course in its Next Generation Security Leader Development Program, a new learning experience whose goal is to enhance strategic thinking about risk among security practitioners and businesspeople.

The Next Generation Security Leader Development Program is different from existing security coursework, certifications, and business offerings for security professionals. Business schools and industry business programs focus on helping security leaders understand business practices and speak the business language, but they fail to marry business processes with the job of risk mitigation. Knowing how to talk business doesn’t equate to an automatic understanding of how security adds value, and it doesn’t give security professionals the practical programs to implement to support the business.

This new virtual, distance learning experience bridges the security-business gap by offering courses developed collaboratively by security industry veterans, current practitioners, and business experts. Each course therefore addresses the perspective of business leaders, ties it with practical and actionable learning from the collective knowledge of security professionals with years of fruitful experience, and incorporates the voices of current practitioners sharing their experiences in implementing solutions and building value right now.

The Security Executive Council chose the course topics based on years of work with top-tier security leaders, who have shared their thoughts on the skills that are lacking in the deputies they are grooming for leadership. The Next Generation curriculum is built around 11 skills and knowledge sets that senior security leaders want to see in their staff:

  • Aligning Board Level Risk and Business Unit Mitigation Strategy
  • Communicating All-hazards Risk, Mitigation, and Performance Metrics
  • Influencing Community Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Global Risks
  • Managing Information Protection, Breaches and Situational Intelligence
  • Adding Business Value with Mission Assurance and P&L Performance
  • Researching Next Generation Organizations, Programs and Leadership Personas
  • Governing Compliance and Social Responsibility for Brand Equity
  • Conducting Assignment, Contract, Hire, Incident and Transaction Diligence
  • Transferring Risk Awareness Mitigation Competence
  • Building Strategic Brand Alliances and Community
  • Applying Proven Practices and Solution Innovations
  • Identifying, Developing and Retaining Next Generation Leaders

Instructor affiliations include the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business, American Express, Boeing, Capital One, Delta, DePaul University, Fidelity Investments, Ford, Georgia Pacific, Kohler, Starbucks Coffee, and Target.

The program also addresses some of the pitfalls of virtual or distance learning. While online courses are more convenient and less expensive than classroom curriculums, they generally sacrifice customizability and interaction. The Next Generation Security Leader Development Program is an exception; participants are contacted prior to each course to determine their needs and level of knowledge, and classes are then adapted based on that information. Participants are provided pre-course materials and are expected to interact online with other participants and the instructors even after the course is over.

The first Next Generation Security Leader Development Program course, Aligning Board Level Risk and Business Unit Mitigation Strategy, begins on January 12, 2012. An early-bird discount is available to all who register before November 17. For more information, click here.

About the Security Executive Council
The Security Executive Council (www.securityexecutivecouncil.com) is a leading problem-solving research and services organization focused on helping businesses effectively manage and mitigate risk. Drawing on the collective knowledge of a large community of successful security practitioners, subject matter experts, and strategic alliance partners, the Council provides strategy, insight and proven practices that cannot be found anywhere else. Our research, services, and tools work to help security leaders initiate, enhance or innovate security programs; build their leadership skills; and bring quantifiable value to their organizations.

Media Contact:
Marleah Blades
Manager, External Relations
256-689-0242
mblades@secleader.com

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