Security Coach

Security Education Systems provides some of the most unique consulting services that are available anywhere -- and now there's a new one that's appropriate for any type of company.

We've conducted organization-wide security reviews for many different types of companies for years, as a component of our other training and consulting services. Most of our clients are independent community banks and credit unions who have limited resources -- and who generally assign multiple tasks to each employee. Within these institutions, the security function is often treated as a necessary and unpleasant nuisance -- and as a loss center. We've found that most Security Officers have:

l        Not been selected for the position based upon their knowledge, training, experience or level of authority;

l        Received minimal direction and training regarding the duties they are supposed to perform and the responsibilities they have been assigned;

l        Difficulty coordinating the security function's responsibilities with the institution's mission statement and organizational priorities;

l        No time to develop pro-active security solutions;

l        Few organization allies; and

l        No budget or other resources.

The security function's primary responsibility is to promote and protect the relationships shared with the five (5) industry-standard priorities, including:

l        Employees, insiders and institution-affiliated parties -- and their families

l        Customers, vendors, third-party service providers -- and other persons lawfully on the premises

l        Facilities and equipment that the institution owns, manages, maintains, leases or controls

l        Assets that are both tangible and intangible -- particularly the institution's image

l        Records and documents that exist in all paper and electronic forms

The security function must receive the support from other business unit managers that is critical in developing and managing an effective Security Program. Administering an effective Security Program requires a knowledgeable Security Officer who can coordinate many of the institution's resources -- both to prevent negative events and to reduce losses from both internal and external sources. The institution's overall security environment -- the knowledge, awareness, authority and actions -- and the attitudes of the other business unit managers are often counterproductive to improving that environment, however. 

Many of our clients have suggested that we develop a consulting service that simply "coaches" the Security Officer in a one-on-one environment. We created Security Coach as a standardized, practical and cost-effective means for providing guidance, direction and suggestions for the Security Officer. This consulting/training program is designed to provide any institution's Security Officer with the baseline knowledge necessary to competently perform the duties and fulfill the responsibilities that regulations and the institution's Board of Directors have imposed. The program may be expanded by the client to include as-needed post-project teleconferences, meeting facilitation and issue-specific guidance.

The Process

The Security Coach process isn't an "efficiency" study designed to enhance productivity and reduce operating costs. We will meet with senior managers and other persons involved with Administration, Audit, Compliance, Bank Secrecy Act, Facilities Management, Human Resources, Information Systems, Lending and Retail Operations. These meetings will help to determine how the security function and those components currently impact one another -- and to begin the process of developing a Security Committee and an enhanced security function. These meetings are also designed to gauge the institution-wide effectiveness of the existing security function -- and they will help the Security Officer and these business unit managers to understand and promote effective (or improved) security management techniques throughout the organization.

After these meetings, we will review the safety and security issues of one (1) cash-handling facility so that the Security Officer will learn to perform an appropriate facility review that addresses both safety and security issues. This two (2)-day, personal coaching project will also provide the Security Officer with a hands-on, comprehensive example of how to acquire the information that's necessary in preparing the required annual security report to the institution's Board of Directors. Following the on-site consulting/training activity, we'll prepare and submit a report of our findings and suggestions. The off-site activity preparation and writing the summary report requires a third day.

The Report

The final Security Coach report relates security concerns with related operational and administrative issues that are addressed within these categories -- and that are presented in this order:

l        Introduction & Executive Summary

l        Security Function

l        The Security Officer

l        Common Threads

l        Suggestions

l        Summary & Miscellaneous Comments

The Security Coach

Dana Turner is one of the most respected and best-recognized security consultants and trainers in the nation. As the Security Coach, Dana draws upon his:

l        Knowledge, experience and credibility gained working with thousands of financial institutions of all types and sizes

l        Examination and investigation processes acquired working with both state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies

l        Strategic planning skills and legal "sense" developed working for law enforcement agencies and law firms who defend -- and sue -- companies every day, regarding liability issues

Need More Information?

Learn more about this unique -- and cost-effective -- Security Coach service. Then call Security Education Systems for more information about how this valuable service may benefit your organization.

Last updated on May 30, 2009