In today’s evolving business landscape, corporate security plays a vital role in protecting organizations from risks that could threaten operations, finances, and reputation. However, recognition of security functions by senior executives varies widely across organizations. To understand how security practitioners perceive this recognition, we conducted a quick poll and posed a key question:
Which of the following has your organization done to recognize the business value of the functions you are involved with?
The quick poll responses reveal a range of actions organizations take that acknowledge the contributions of their security teams:
- Increased organizational responsibility (65%) – The most common form of recognition, executives entrust security professionals with broader duties, signifying confidence in their ability to safeguard business operations.
- Supports staff and service increases (48%) – Growth in personnel and services shows leadership’s commitment to expanding security capabilities.
- Financial support (47%) – Almost half of respondents noted direct financial backing, ensuring security initiatives are adequately funded.
- Year-over-year funding for 5+ years (44%) – Long-term budget commitments reflect sustained recognition and stability for security programs.
- Minimized budget cuts in lean times (35%) – During economic downturns, direct financial rewards may be unfeasible, leading some organizations to prioritize security budgets while making cuts elsewhere, acknowledging their critical role.
- Given additional responsibilities typically not led by corporate security (34%) – Many security teams are entrusted with new duties, highlighting their evolving role within the organization.
- None (10%) – A concerning percentage of respondents reported no formal recognition, indicating a need for stronger advocacy within these businesses.
Implications for Corporate Security
Increasing responsibilities and sustained funding indicate that many executives recognize the value security teams bring to risk management and business resilience. However, the fact that 10% of respondents report no formal recognition calls attention to an ongoing challenge: security professionals must continue demonstrating their business impact to executive leadership.
Survey Participant Commentary
The survey participants were given the opportunity to provide explanations or additional comments about their answers. Here is a summary of some of the key themes from the survey participants’ comments:
- Executive Support & Recognition – Some security professionals reported strong backing from senior leadership, with CEOs and executives actively supporting security teams due to their contributions to safety, security, and business profitability.
- Organizational Integration – Security functions are being more integrated into leadership structures.
- Operational Involvement – A key strategy for recognition is maintaining regular follow-up meetings involving organization executives to align security objectives, SOPs, and risk management decisions with broader business operations.
- Challenges in Security – Some practitioners expressed disappointment with long-standing issues highlighting security’s undervaluation. Security teams face budget cuts, understaffing, and lack of executive priority until crises arise. Professionals in this field report frustration over being expected to multitask across various roles with limited resources and minimal compensation.
- Business Constraints & Labor Cuts – Some organizations continue to reduce their security labor force due to financial pressures, reinforcing security’s vulnerability during economic downturns.
The comments reveal a split in experiences—some security professionals receive strong executive recognition, while others struggle with budget constraints and undervaluation.
Responses By Security Function
The survey participants were asked to indicate which security functions or roles they perform in their organization.
Breaking down the various indicators of executive recognition by these functions provided the following results:
In Summary
Businesses value activities that have a clear connection to business success. In essence, a security program that collectively aims to create a secure and resilient business environment, safeguarding not just physical and financial assets, but also the intangible values of trust, reputation, and operational stability.
The Security Executive Council is made up of experienced leaders of successful security programs that have the skills necessary to help you tell your value story to business executives.
Contact Us to discuss your unique situation and find out how we can assist you.
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