Hey there, Circuiteers!

This is your post-Thanksgiving, food coma edition of On the Circuit. Today, we're diving headfirst into a topic hotter than your laptop on a Netflix marathon after a run of 7 consecutive night shifts 🙄 - "The Unified Protector."

If you're scratching your head, wondering if this is some new Marvel superhero, well, you might not be too far off.

We're talking about breaking down institutional silos and embracing a holistic, all-hands-on-deck approach to keeping everything from your data to your donuts safe and sound. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let's get to the bottom of the Unified Protector enigma.

The Unified Protector - The Swiss Army Knife of the Security Industry

Here’s the thing: In this fast-paced, interconnected world, the old-school way of managing risks, like cybersecurity, physical protection, and data security, has been as compartmentalized as my sock drawer – totally separate and kinda messy. But times are changing, and it turns out that these isolated silos in risk management are about as effective as a screen door on a submarine.

Enter the hero of the story: the 'Unified Protector'. This isn't your average Joe with a fancy title. This guy is the Swiss Army knife of security, juggling cyber threats and physical risks while glueing together all those previously isolated departments. So, how are we supposed to think of this? Is it like the Avengers, where the Unified Protector is Nick Fury, keeping everyone in line and focused? Hmm, maybe, but probably not!

It's about breaking down those stubborn silos that we used to think were essential for organisation and getting everyone to play nice together. The Unified Protector straddles all these worlds – physical, cyber, technical; you name it - ensuring the left hand knows what the right hand is doing and maybe even what the right foot is up to.

At the strategic level, they're like the grandmaster of chess, plotting moves several steps ahead. Down at the operational level, they're in the trenches with mid-management, making sure the grand plan isn't just a fancy document gathering dust. And at the tactical level, they're making sure everything's flowing silky smooth.

But let's take a pause to consider: doesn’t integrating all these different security sectors under one umbrella seem as daunting as teaching your grandparents to use a smartphone? Yet, it's a sign of the times. As our world gets more complex, so must our approach to security. The Unified Protector might just be our best hope for managing the labyrinth of modern risks.

So, is it realistic to imagine a future where ‘breaking down silos’ isn't just a fancy buzzword but a necessary evolution for risk management? The Unified Protector might not wear a cape, but they could just be the hero the industry needs in this interconnected world of threats and challenges.

Reader Poll

Breaking Down Silos in Risk Management

Traditionally, risk management has been divided into isolated, specialized sectors. Cybersecurity, physical protection, executive protection, and other roles often operate in separate silos, each with its unique realm of expertise. However, in today’s interconnected world, this isolation between departments is increasingly being recognized as a barrier to effective risk management.

Thus, the concept of 'breaking down silos' advocates for enhanced communication, cooperation, and collaboration across these different sectors. By doing so, organizations can share information more effectively and develop holistic strategies that consider all aspects of risk, from physical threats to cyber attacks, and everything in between.
Are you ready to welcome this evolution?

Read the full article >

If you want to go deeper into this topic, check out the podcast episode we recorded with Andrew Peden.

LATEST ISSUE

WHAT OUR READERS SAY

GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS by RANE

The Threat of Russian Influence Operations in Serbia and Kosovo

Against the backdrop of ongoing EU accession negotiations, including normalization talks between Serbia and Kosovo, and following outbreaks of violence in northern Kosovo in September, Russian actors will likely pursue an opportunity to further inflame tensions to distract from Ukraine and contribute to destabilization risks in the Balkans.

Russian influence operations in Serbia largely consist of narratives aimed at fueling ethnic and religious tensions between the country and its Balkan neighbors, discrediting the European Union and West more broadly, and promoting Russian views on key issues like the Ukraine war.

Russian influence operations also seek to solidify a wedge between Serbia and the West, promote anti-Western and NATO sentiment, and highlight historical events (such as the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia and Serb forces in Kosovo) to advance simultaneously pro-Russian and anti-Western perceptions. 

Russia seeks to exploit ethnic and religious tensions to undermine normalization between Serbia and Kosovo and destabilize the region, hoping to spread the European Union thin with another crisis in Europe. To solidify support in Serbia, Russia has sought to position itself as the primary champion of the Serbian cause by peddling narratives that highlight Moscow's efforts to support Serbia's claims over Kosovo on the international stage.

Serbia, as an EU member in its current state, could help Russia promote its interests from inside the bloc, serving as a Slavic, traditionally pro-Russian member with the power to veto EU decisions deemed unfavorable to Russia.

However, if Serbia became more aligned with the West because of accession (and the reform process), it would keep Russia at arm's length from the most important country in its strategy to maintain influence in the region.

Read the full article >

PODCAST

Creating the Unified Protector with Bruce McIndoe

Should we remove the term 'Security' from our organizational language? Does it mean too many different things to different people? Bruce McIndoe, Founder of World Aware, joins us to examine this topic. We discuss the prospect of a unified protector who is a risk manager first and foremost but who develops specialist skills later, with questions including:

• Has a unified protector ever been created?

• Why is the term 'security' potentially harmful in an organizational context?

• Can the US military be used as an example of creating versatile professionals?

• What does becoming a risk management professional entail, and where does it differ from EP?

ELSEWHERE ON THE CIRCUIT

Yemen’s Houthi rebels seize Israel-linked cargo ship in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels have hijacked a cargo ship, turning it into a floating geopolitical hotspot. This isn't just any ship; it's a mini-global village – Japanese-operated, Greek-managed, Bahamas-flagged, with a crew representing every corner of the world, and partly owned by an Israeli billionaire.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, claim they're making a stand against Israel's actions in Palestine. However, this Red Sea drama isn't just about a ship; it's about a vital shipping lane critical for global oil flow. As ships reroute, adding weeks to their journeys, the world's trade arteries feel the squeeze. Amidst this high-stakes game, international diplomacy is in overdrive, with potential shifts in military and policy strategies on the horizon. It's more than a hijacking; it's a snapshot of our intricately connected and rapidly reacting global stage.

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