By Brian K. Tuskan
Most of us in physical security didn’t arrive here by accident—we came from places where chaos was normal and stepping into the line of fire wasn’t a metaphor, it was a job description. Whether you served in law enforcement, military, or emergency response, you were trained to respond under pressure, run toward the threat, and protect others at all costs.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of us are always prepared to handle external crises—yet totally unprepared to handle a crisis in our own career.
I say that from experience. I recently experienced the loss of my executive role. Even though I’d led global security teams through complex crises, this moment hit differently. The good news? I had Plan B ready the moment the news dropped, and I executed it like any crisis response protocol.
Career resiliency isn’t about fear, it’s about readiness. Just like we build business continuity and incident response plans, we must build a personal “career crisis management plan.” Here are six steps to get you started:
1. Build Your Plan (Before You Need It).
You would never approach a critical incident without preparation. Your career is no different. Create a “virtual go bag” that includes a fresh resume, updated LinkedIn profile, a financial runway strategy, and your short-list of mentors and allies. Clarity beats panic every time.
2. Expect the Five Stages of Grief.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—your journey may not be linear, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to process. You’re not weak for feeling it—you’re human.
3. Prioritize Mental Health and Self-Care.
We’re wired to be the strong ones, the protectors. But protectors need protecting, too. Get help if you need it. Talk to someone. Burnout, shame, and isolation are silent threats to your recovery.
4. Don’t Fall into Victim Mode.
Yes, it’s unfair. Yes, it hurts. But staying stuck in “why me?” will anchor you to the past. Shift your energy to “what's next?”
5. Reinvent Yourself.
This is your chance to evolve. What’s your next chapter? Maybe it’s consulting, tech, AI, teaching, entrepreneurship, or serving in a different capacity. Crisis often reveals calling.
6. Own Your Path Forward.
You may not control the moment you were knocked down—but you absolutely control how you rise.
In security, we help others through critical moments. In career crises, helping others becomes part of your own healing. Share your journey. Mentor someone. Pay it forward.
Because being down is temporary. Staying down is optional.
About the author: Brian K. Tuskan is a former Fortune 500 Vice President & CSO, law enforcement veteran, and founder of Cop to Corporate. Today, he advises AI and physical security startups while mentoring the next generation of resilient, adaptive security leaders.
