Insights from CSOs and Global Security Leaders
In a collaborative Focus Group/Roundtable discussion hosted by effortlo - Chief Security Officers (CSOs) and global security leaders shared their experiences and strategies for driving alignment and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
This distinguished peer group was pulled together to discuss how they are adapting to expanded roles that include oversight of non-security departments such as corporate real estate, facilities, legal, EH&S, fraud, and other business functions.
The discussion centered around four key questions:
How do you find commonalities and synergies between the different teams and responsibilities?
What reporting do you rely on from each function to stay up to date on the happenings of each team?
What methods do you use to drive alignment across the several teams?
Do you hold joint meetings, planning sessions, and all-hands for all the different functions?
Below we explore the main takeaways from the discussion, highlighting specific tools, suggestions, and comments that emerged from the group.
Uncovering Commonalities and Synergies:
The participants emphasized the importance of finding commonalities and synergies among the diverse teams and responsibilities. Organizations can foster collaboration and maximize operational efficiency by aligning objectives and shared goals.
Embrace Multidisciplinary Approaches: Participants acknowledged that effective security operations require breaking down silos and adopting multidisciplinary approaches. By integrating different functions, such as corporate real estate, facilities, and legal, security leaders can identify synergies that lead to holistic solutions.
Cultivate a Collaborative Culture: The group highlighted the significance of creating a collaborative culture within the organization. This involves fostering open communication, building trust, and promoting the idea of shared responsibility across teams and functions. By encouraging cross-functional collaboration, CSOs can uncover common goals and drive alignment.
Relying on Comprehensive Reporting:
Participants discussed the importance of staying informed about the activities and happenings of each team. Robust reporting mechanisms enable CSOs to have visibility into various functions, enhancing their decision-making and enabling them to align efforts effectively.
Streamline Reporting Processes: The group emphasized the need for standardized reporting formats and regular updates from each function. By establishing consistent reporting structures, CSOs can efficiently gather essential information and identify areas requiring attention or alignment.
Leverage Technology and Tools: Participants shared their experiences with specific tools and technologies that facilitate reporting and information sharing. Examples included dashboards, collaboration platforms, and data visualization tools that provide real-time insights and streamline communication across teams.
An array of specific tools and technologies were highlighted as instrumental in fostering alignment and collaboration across diverse teams. Participants shared their experiences and offered insights into the practical applications of these tools.
One such tool that received mention was Slack, a popular collaboration platform that facilitates real-time communication, file sharing, and team coordination. Its intuitive interface and seamless integration with other productivity apps make it an effective tool for promoting cross-functional collaboration.
Another tool that garnered attention was Power BI, a data visualization and business intelligence platform. Power BI enables organizations to transform complex data into interactive visualizations and reports, allowing stakeholders to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.
Additionally, tools like Coda, Confluence, and Notion were cited as valuable resources for organizing and documenting information, facilitating knowledge sharing, and promoting transparency across teams. These tools and others mentioned in the chat serve as essential enablers of effective communication, streamlined workflows, and enhanced collaboration in multidisciplinary security operations.
Driving Alignment Across Multiple Teams:
Creating alignment across diverse teams is essential to ensure that collective efforts are directed toward common goals and objectives. The participants discussed various methods and strategies to achieve this alignment effectively.
Joint Meetings and Planning Sessions: The group highlighted the value of conducting joint meetings, planning sessions, and all-hands gatherings that bring together representatives from different functions. These forums provide opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, sharing updates, and aligning priorities.
Establishing Clear Communication Channels: Participants stressed the need for clear, open communication channels between teams. They discussed utilizing collaboration platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate real-time communication, document sharing, and seamless collaboration.
Encouraging Knowledge-Sharing and Cross-Training: The group recognized the importance of knowledge-sharing and cross-training initiatives to enhance alignment. Organizations can foster empathy, collaboration, and a holistic perspective by encouraging employees to gain a broader understanding of various functions and roles.
Key Takeaways:
Based on the collaborative discussion, the following key takeaways emerged:
Embrace multidisciplinary approaches to security operations by integrating different business functions and breaking down silos.
Cultivate a collaborative culture that fosters open communication, trust, and shared responsibility across teams.
Implement standardized reporting processes and leverage technology to streamline information sharing and decision-making.
Conduct joint meetings, planning sessions, and all-hands gatherings to promote alignment, cross-functional collaboration, and goal setting.
Encourage knowledge-sharing and cross-training initiatives to enhance alignment and foster a holistic understanding of various functions.
This collaborative Focus Group/Roundtable discussion amongst CSOs and global security leaders shed light on effective strategies for driving alignment and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. Organizations can enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and achieve shared goals by uncovering commonalities, relying on comprehensive reporting, and implementing alignment methods.
The specific tools, suggestions, and comments shared by the participants provide actionable insights for security leaders navigating the complex landscape of multidimensional security operations. By embracing these takeaways, organizations can build stronger, more cohesive teams that effectively address challenges and drive success.
About Effortlo
Effortlo is a technology-enabled solution that helps companies operate a lean and efficient security program by providing effortless access to a wide range of global security experts with one agreement and one payment. With transparent pricing and a hassle-free (Airbnb-like), model, effortlo allows customers to work directly with security experts to expand their capabilities, meet deadlines, and stay within budget. We're also the only platform enabling any validated security expert to discreetly promote their skills and expertise to the greater security community.
Contributors to this piece include:
Adam Corn - "The Security Trainer" - Director of Global Security & Safety at GoFundMe
Brad Minnis – VP, Environmental, Health, Safety & Security at Juniper Networks
Carlos Galvez, Jr. – VP, Global Security, Facilities and Financial Intelligence at Oportun
Joshua Carver, MBA, CPP – Chief Security Officer at Schneider Electric
Scott McBride – Chief Global Asset Protection Officer & CSO at American Eagle
Donald O'Hearn – Director of Corporate Security, North America at Capital One
Plus several other Chief Security Officers / Global Security Leaders.
And aided by the effortlo "Executive Resource Council."
Bruce McIndoe – President McIndoe Risk Advisory and founder of iJet/WorldAware
Richard Widup – President of The Widup Group & former President of ASIS
Sulev Suvari – Principal of Levvari, former Global Head of Safety, Security & Resiliency at HP
Jon Harris, MBA, CPP, PSP – Sr. Product Manager, HiveWatch
Robert Chamberlin – President & Founder of Security 101
Brittany Galli – Founder of MoboHub & Chair of ASIS Women in Security Group
Steve Lisle – Ambassador for Reducing Effort – Founder of effortlo.
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