Experience is King in Security
In the security field, experience is king. But we all get comfortable in our daily routines, and here is the thing: even the most seasoned security professional can fall victim to the “know-it-all” trap. That is exactly what almost happened to me. For more than two decades, I have been knee-deep in the world of security. Personnel security is my prime domain, and I pride myself on staying ahead of the curve. Then, I attended National Classification Management Society (NCMS) 60th Annual Training Seminar – Nashville, Tenn,
My first thought was that the 5-day seminar would be targeted to “New FSO” 5 years are less in the security world. Nah, that is not for me,” was my first thought. But a nagging curiosity – and a touch of professional arrogance looking to be humbled – pushed me to sign up. “This old dog will get there and show those pups a few tricks,” I thought to myself.
Let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in career. The instructors, seasoned pros, was not just rehashing security basics. They unveiled not one, but two incredible techniques for conducting self-inspections, automation of security files and, how to Build a NIST 800- 171 Compliant Environment These were not theoretical concepts – they were practical, actionable strategies I could implement right away.
Automation and Compliance = Game Changers
Who knew that Automation of your security program checks off the boxes for the personnel section in your CMMC assessment?
I immediately contacted a few vendors from the seminar that offered security management solutions for small to mid-size companies. I decided to go with Sign in Compliance formerly known as ThreatSwitch. Very affordable and fit within our budget.
Adding These techniques into our security protocols here at Security First & Associates, have been a game-changer. It turns out even a seasoned security pro like me has new tricks to learn! This experience was a powerful reminder: regardless of your experience level, there’s always an opportunity to grow your knowledge and skill set. In the fast-paced world of security, staying stagnant is the real risk.
Here is the bottom line: Regardless of your job title, in business, we often focus on shoring up weaknesses. We identify areas where we can improve and dedicate resources to fixing them, and that is important. But there is another side to this coin: your strengths. Think about it this way: wouldn’t it be more efficient to hire someone to manage your weaker areas while you focus on what you do best? By honing your strengths, you become an even greater asset to your organization and can drive more significant results.
What is one strength you possess that you would like to take to the next level in the coming months?
Maybe it is mastering a new technology, deepening your knowledge of a specific facet of your practice area or industry, or developing stronger communication skills so that you can effectively convey needs up and down the chain of command.
Take security off your plate today so you can devote your time to what you do well:
At Security First & Associates, we are here to support you, whether you need assistance with FSO, AFSO, FCL processing, or crafting a bulletproof Risk Management Framework.
We believe in fostering a collaborative community. So, let’s chat! Tell us – what is one strength you are actively working on improving?
By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we can all keep learning and growing together.