What are security’s top critical issues? What department does security report to? How are budgets changing? What responsibilities do security leaders shoulder within their organization? Compare your enterprise’s focuses to those of your peers in the Security 500’s sector-specific analysis.

Where does your enterprise stand? Compare security rankings sector-by-sector in this benchmarking tool to determine who the frontrunners and thought-leaders are in your enterprise’s field. 

“Security is about enabling a mission. Business leaders are able to take our tools and apply them to a variety of settings to create success. Our job is to create an environment of success for the enterprise. It is not what we do, rather, it is how we enable the enterprise to achieve its goals,” shares Frank Taylor, Vice President and Chief Security Officer for The General Electric Company. It is important to note that as you read this, one of America’s (not just security’s) greatest leaders and thinkers will have retired, again.

“There is no longer a time in any field that you can be a good leader and be deficient in any area of managerial core competency. Leaders have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” says Gordon Snow, chief of protective services for The Cleveland Clinic. “The environment is increasing in complexity. Education and training can provide you with many of the tools you need to make better decisions, but there isn’t always a formula to help you make the right decision.

Dan Ryan’s story is classic, happy and all-American that those entering the profession can learn from and hope to emulate. “I guess you could say I started at the bottom and worked my way up.” Yes, you could say that Dan, but that would be understatement – Dan’s expertise and perfection have helped him rise through the ranks at a meteoric pace.

“We treat everyone, from kindergarten on up, with respect,” says Joseph Perchetti, Supervisor of Security for the Radnor, Penn., Public School District. “They are our customers, and their taxes pay our salaries. We go the extra mile to make sure they are secure and to ensure that they can focus on education.”

“Leadership is best done by leading by example and through respect for others,” says Patrick Murphy, Senior Director, Global Safety and Security Services for Marriott International Inc. The black belt martial arts professional turned CSO has set the example for leadership during his outstanding career. “After martial arts, I asked myself, ‘Now what?’ I saw an advertisement for an executive protection academy. One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was a bodyguard for the Chairman and President of what was at first a small, fast-growing company.”

“Leadership is about understanding yourself first, recognizing strengths and weaknesses, and targeting continuous improvement,” says Mike Howard, Chief Security Officer at Microsoft. “It is an attitude and mindset to focus on the team and organizational goals first. Leaders are able to change focus from subject matter expertise to a focus on their team by setting strategic goals, letting go of the details and steering the team through execution.”

“When I had the opportunity to move from parking and transportation at the University to leading the strategic security and safety effort on campus, we made a very strategic and important decision to build the structure to be broader than law enforcement. We incorporated all aspects of campus safety and security,” says Dr. Bob Harkins of the University of Texas, Austin. “That decision speaks volumes about the leadership at the University. It was a decision to make this department an enabler for the business of protecting and educating students, faculty and staff. That was a very strategic decision encompassing law enforcement, campus safety and security, business continuity and risk management as core missions.”

“Managers care for the body of the organization. But leaders care for the spirit. And great leaders care about both. That is not my saying, but it is how I view leadership in any successful business,” says Tim Caddigan, Director, Corporate Security & Facilities for Altria Client Services.