How your signature can propel your security career

Skip the cookie-cutter approach to security! Tailor your work and make it worthy of your signature

By Michael Santarcangelo

November 08, 2011 — CSO —

The hood pegged open, showing off a masterpiece of an engine, a small crowd gathered as the sense of anticipation built in the air. People smiled, tapped the person next to them and pointed. Few words were spoken, as if no one wanted to miss what was about to happen.

With a grin on his face a Cheshire cat would be jealous of, the owner leaned in the open car door, gave everyone the thumbs up sign and turned the key.

The engine roared to life in a thrilling, specific manner.

Unlike the sound of the engine turning over to start the daily commute, this engine meant business. It was both throaty and clean. The entire experience drew the crowd in as people nudged forward to witness the engine and soak in the feeling.

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Surprisingly, nobody clapped. However, the look of satisfaction — mixed with a tinge of envy — was clear.

An admitted "pickup truck guy," the highlight of my weekend was the opportunity to look, listen and feel number 11 of 100 of the Roush-built "Nitemare" — a sleek black 2007 Ford 150 Pickup truck that had been taken directly from the factory to Livonia, Michigan for a treatment known as "Roush Stage 3."

While admiring the engine — where each part was specifically selected, designed, polished and included — I noticed something more impressive: the engine was signed.

More than a badge signifying the Roush treatment, this was the actual signature of the engine builder, engraved into a plate affixed to the engine. Designed to showcase craftsmanship, signing the engine is the ultimate sign of quality.

It impressed me that someone signed their work — especially knowing their effort was likely to be on display.

What signing your work looks like in security
The same approach to craftsmanship and desire to affix your signature to the work we do as security professionals can propel the team or an individual career to success.

Here are three ways to create the quality and experience worthy of your signature.
1. Define the outcome
2. Design the experience
3. Build a brand within the brand

These steps apply to teams and individuals — enterprise and consulting. In the end, it's about the approach to quality and how we shift what we're doing to produce work worthy of a public signature.

Define the outcome
When considering the outcome of the transformation, Roush clearly considered the performance, but also included the visual appeal of the engine and the experience of lifting the hood, starting the engine and driving the truck. With the outcome clear, it was possible for the engine builder to deliver excellence.

When it comes to managing risk and improving security, the outcome tends to start less clear. The word "security," holds multiple meanings and shifts based on experience and context. The key is to engage in enough conversation to find the element(s) that matter. Sometimes, the outcome is a functional goal that benefits people, and security is something to be included.

Having a clearly defined — and shared — outcome makes it possible to create work worthy of signing, work that someone else is proud of and wants to show off to others.

Design the experience

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