Corporate security: the key for business growth and success

Victoria Rees
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Diego Serpa, Head of Security Brazil at Colgate-Palmolive explores how the Corporate Security Manager represents a strategic and participatory position for organizations.
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ToggleThe modern Corporate Security Manager
In recent years, the role of the Corporate Security Manager has evolved from a mere guardian against external and internal threats to a strategic leader in business development and growth.
The job market is becoming increasingly dynamic and organizations face complex challenges that require a more holistic and integrated approach to security.
Today, the Corporate Security Manager must be not only a technical expert but also a strategic advisor who understands various business verticals and how security can actually drive organic growth and enhance the customer experience.
The evolution
In a highly competitive and ever-changing business environment, organizations must ensure that their processes, systems and operations are protected from internal and external threats, while also remaining agile and innovative.
This positions the Security Manager as a unique leader who needs to understand not only the technical aspects of security but also how each area of the business functions.
Whether in the development of new products, expansion into new markets or enhancing customer experience, security must be seen as an enabler, not an obstacle.
To be effective, the Corporate Security Manager must have a broad, strategic view of the business.
They must understand the impact of different business areas – such as marketing, operations, finance, IT, human resources and customer service – and how security can interact with these areas to enhance growth.
Security should not be an isolated function; it must be integrated into all areas of the company, ensuring that operations remain secure without compromising innovation.
Understanding corporate security verticals
The corporate security manager must have a deep understanding of the various security verticals that make up the company’s infrastructure and how they interconnect to ensure the protection of all business aspects.
These verticals go beyond simple physical security and include a range of proactive and strategic actions, such as loss prevention, executive protection, event security and cargo theft management.
The growing importance of data security and analytics has also become a critical vertical, with the use of technology to monitor, identify patterns and predict risks proactively.
The development of advanced security systems, such as AI, biometrics and automation, helps improve efficiency and security in operations.
Furthermore, asset protection remains a fundamental pillar, encompassing everything from access control to protection against damage and vandalism.
In a broader context, business continuity management (BCM) and crisis management are vital to ensuring that the company can continue operations in the event of an incident.
Having well-structured recovery plans and the ability to coordinate rapid responses to crises are key elements for organizational resilience.
Corporate investigations also play an increasingly important role, not only for identifying fraud but also for spotting vulnerabilities and correcting processes before significant issues arise.
Integrating these security verticals cohesively enables the security manager to create a robust, multifaceted protection network, which aligns with the company’s strategic goals and supports its sustainable growth without compromising security or the customer experience.
Driving a quality customer experience
One of the areas where corporate security directly impacts business growth and customer experience is cargo theft management, a serious issue that can affect both product integrity and consumer trust.
When stolen products are diverted and end up on the market – often outside their validity period or in unsafe conditions – it poses a significant risk to consumer health and safety.
These products, which have not gone through the proper storage, transportation and handling processes, can compromise quality and even endanger the physical wellbeing of those who use them.
This is a critical issue for brands that value consumer trust and seek to deliver value through product quality and safety.
As a result, it is crucial for corporate security to be integrated into every process involving the product lifecycle, from logistics and transportation to delivery to the end customer.
This includes ensuring that products are not diverted or mishandled, preserving their quality and safe usage.
The implementation of advanced tracking systems, access control and constant cargo monitoring are just some of the strategies corporate security can adopt to prevent products from reaching the consumer in suboptimal conditions.
Moreover, corporate security must act comprehensively to ensure that certified and authorized services are provided to the customer.
This involves compliance with specific regulations, as well as continuous auditing and verification processes to ensure all products and services meet rigorous safety and quality standards.
Consumer trust is directly tied to the company’s ability to ensure that its products and services not only meet but exceed safety and integrity expectations.
Corporate security, therefore, should penetrate all processes that involve delivering products and services, ensuring a reliable customer experience without risks to health or safety.
This alignment results not only in customer loyalty but also in sustainable business growth, as it strengthens the company’s reputation in the market.
The Security Manager as a business advisor
An essential aspect of the Corporate Security Manager’s evolving role is their ability to position themselves as a strategic advisor to senior management.
They must understand business strategies and identify risks associated with different initiatives within the company.
The Security Manager should maturely and objectively illustrate how risks can impact the strategic plan and prescribe solutions that minimize these risks without hindering organizational progress.
Clear and simple communication is key in this process.
The Security Manager must be able to translate technical jargon into accessible language so that executives can clearly understand the risks and implications of their decisions.
This requires a smooth and effective communication approach that simplifies complex information, helping executives make informed, secure decisions.
Recently, I had the opportunity to write the afterword for the book “Tornar Simples: O Segredo das Decisões Complexas Estruturadas” (Making It Simple: The Secret to Structured Complex Decisions), where I addressed the importance of structuring knowledge production methodologies and creating simple, effective communication.
One of the points I highlighted was the need to create communication that not only simplifies complexity but also enables decision-makers to make more confident and assertive choices.
The role of the Security Manager, in this sense, is vital; they must provide executives with the necessary information to make strategic, safe decisions that align with the company’s objectives.
A vision for the future
As businesses continue to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable business environment, the role of the Corporate Security Manager becomes ever more strategic.
This role is no longer just responsible for mitigating risks but also for identifying growth and innovation opportunities with a long-term vision.
For this to happen, it is crucial that the security manager has a holistic view of the business, understanding how various verticals connect and contribute to organizational success.
They must position themselves as a strategic facilitator, ensuring that security is seen as a driver of success, not a limiter.
The future of corporate security lies in the ability of the Security Manager to integrate their expertise into the company’s DNA, making security a vital ally in growth and innovation.
This new role is not just about protecting assets; it is about supporting organizational leaders in making informed, confident and above all, safe decisions.
The Corporate Security Manager of the future must be prepared to do more than just protect; they must transform and innovate, ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for the organization.
This article was originally published in the January edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.