Compass Awards

The 2005 CSO Compass Awards: Direction Setters

Recognizing Regis Becker, David Burrill, Richard Lefler, Peter Neumann, Rhonda MacLean, and Howard Schmidt

May 01, 2005 — CSO — They are the power brokers of the security industry. These six leaders from the public and the private sectors are writing the security industry's next chapter—in their own organizations and in the business world. They are the CSO Compass Award honorees, chosen for their leadership in the field and their track records in the profession. We asked each of them what they see as the necessary critical success factors to promote security in their organizations and to share their visions for raising the security executive's profile.

Regis Becker

Global director, security and compliance, PPG Industries, Pittsburgh; former president and chairman of ASIS International; External Relations Committee, ISMA

Why chosen: Known in security circles as "human infrastructure," Becker serves as the liaison between the smaller, exclusive ISMA and the larger, education-focused ASIS International.

Winning trait: Becker is well-known and highly regarded in the security industry as a resource for information and expertise.

Wisdom: "What we do [in security roles] is very important. But at the end of the day, we're trying to enhance our clients' mission. Look at what they're trying to accomplish as a business and fit security measures, policies and guidelines into the business strategy."

Critical success factor for the future: "The convergence of the enterprise risk portfolio. I think risk management is taking on a much broader meaning in some companies, with some having chief risk officers. What's really involved is internal audit, treasury operations that buy insurance, corporate security, environmental health and safety, the law department; these are all risk areas. One of the trends we're seeing is that companies are considering these on a holistic basisone person or a team of people looking overall at the risks. We're not siloing those risks anymore, and our mitigation strategies aren't siloed either."

David Burrill

Head of group security, British American Tobacco, London

Why chosen: In 2002, Burrill produced the largest-ever worldwide security cost-benefit analysis for his company. He found that the analysis process proved the value of security by showing that it added to the bottom line. He went on to devise a 10-year strategic plan for his security group.

Winning trait: Well-regarded by his security peers, Burrill sets the bar for strategic thinking on security within an organization.

Wisdom: "Corporate security is to companies what national security is to nations. Once that is understood, the function can never be looked at in a narrow way again."

Critical success factors for the future: "The security function must be included in the company business planning process for each year, and for long-term strategic purposes, from outset to conclusion. If it is not, it is a second- or lower-grade runner.