Book Review: Corporate Security Intelligence and Strategic Decision Making

Reviewed by Terry L. Wettig, CPP

01 April 2016

Print Issue: April 2016

CRC Press; crcpress.com; 297 pages; $79.95.

Early in the book’s introduction, author Justin Crump hits the security nail on the head by saying, “Despite a long history, the art and science of corporate security has been a neglected topic, and the study of intelligence within this setting remains even more so. However, this trend is changing.” Driving this change is the concept underlying the theme of the book—strategic decision making in an organization cannot exist without a concerted and holistic approach to gathering, analyzing, and working security intelligence.

Crump takes the security professional on a three-stop journey towards developing and making sound decisions based on the development of critical intelligence that includes rationale, theory, and practice. Within this framework, a detailed history of the need for intelligence along with various levels and a legal foundation set the tone for how organizations should develop their approach and launch their practice of gathering and harvesting information necessary to protect their interests and operations. The text effectively introduces and takes readers from the broad theoretical foundation of private and public security; differentiates between what is considered data, information, and intelligence and how this distinction affects planning; and explains key roles of personnel within the organization—laying the groundwork for the most important part of the book, which is putting the plan into practice.

When implementing the plan, security decision makers are able to articulate an effective case for security’s return on investment by demonstrating logical planning through models such as the Security Intelligence Decision Advantage Research Model (SIDEARM). SIDEARM, through a six-stage interaction with management, provides a logical and quantifiable method to remain focused on priorities developed through the intelligence gathering process.

In the book’s forward, David Burrill states “Corporate Security Intelligence is a fundamental part of the basis on which business security decisions should be made.” This book, in the hands of experienced security planners, can be an invaluable tool towards enhancing and solidifying the corporate security effort.

Reviewer: Terry L. Wettig, CPP, is director, risk management, for Brink’s Incorporated in Richmond Virginia. A retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, he is responsible for developing and overseeing risk management strategies and designing training programs to counter developing risks. He is studying for his Ph.D. in organizational psychology.