REVIEW: "The Manager's Handbook for Corporate Security", Gerald L. Kovacich/Edward P. Halibozek

BKMNHBCS.RVW 20031107

"The Manager's Handbook for Corporate Security", Gerald L.
Kovacich/Edward P. Halibozek, 2003, 0-7506-7487-3, U$49.99/C$72.50
%A Gerald L. Kovacich
%A Edward P. Halibozek
%C 225 Wildwood Street, Woburn, MA 01801
%D 2003
%G 0-7506-7487-3
%I Butterworth-Heinemann
%O U$49.99/C$72.50 800-366-BOOK fax: 800-446-6520 www.bh.com/bh/
%O http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...bsladesinterne
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...bsladesinte-21
%O http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASI...bsladesin03-20
%P 463 p.
%T "The Manager's Handbook for Corporate Security"

The intent that is asserted in the preface is to provide a state-of-
the-art, holistic, practical, "cut and paste" approach to corporate
asset protection, using examples from a fictional company.

Part one, titularly about the old and new world of the security
professional, provides some historical perspective. Chapter one, "New
Century, New World," says that it is a big, bad, complex, changing,
interconnected world out there now. The argument is somewhat
unconvincing, since the history provided points out that the times
they always have been a-changin'. A standard view of threat and risk
is in chapter two. Corporate security and law enforcement, in chapter
three, is simply a terse history of the military and law enforcement.
Chapter four is a promotional piece for corporate security
professionals.

Part two, on corporate security management, starts taking itself way
too seriously by coining a new acronym of CSM. Our fictional company
is created in chapter five. Generic security management roles are
dressed up in the fictional company clothes in chapter six. The
corporate security management department that is invented in chapter
seven assumes a clean slate and a perfect world.

Part three outlines some security functions. Where many would assume
that "administrative security" might involve some operational aspects,
chapter eight concentrates on plans, policies, and procedures.
Chapter nine's review of physical security is fairly ordinary,
although it is short on details in areas such as fire protection and
power provision. The usual debate about outsourcing versus in-house
security is somewhat biased in favour of outsourcing, in chapter ten.
Personnel security, in chapter eleven, is limited to background checks
and workplace violence. Chapter twelve looks at security education.
Fire protection is given another run in chapter thirteen, which is big
on procedures but short on detail. Contingency planning, in chapter
fourteen, is broad but vague. Chapter fifteen's view of
investigations is heavily influenced by law enforcement and assumes a
very large staff. Chapter sixteen tells us that dealing with the
government has--surprise!--special requirements. Information has
value and requires protection, says chapter seventeen, which also
generates more new acronyms. Executive protection is examined in more
than the usual level of detail, in chapter eighteen. Chapter nineteen
looks at security for events.

Part four assesses the security profession now and in the future. The
advice about corporate security career development, in chapter twenty,
is equally applicable to any profession. (Is this a commentary on the
lack of distinction of security as a profession?) Chapter twenty one,
entitled "What you can do to help others," is primarily concerned with
self-promotion. Vague opining and some reprints of codes of ethics
makes up chapter twenty two. Chapter twenty three closes the book
with blue-sky futurism.

For those completely new to the security profession, this book does
have some tips, but contains nothing like the practicality of
Sennewald's "Effective Security Management" (cf. BKEFSCMN.RVW).

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2003 BKMNHBCS.RVW 20031107

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Rob Slade, doting grandpa of Ryan and Trevor

(Rob Slade, doting grandpa of Ryan and Trevor)
schrieb:


>For those completely new to the security profession, this book does
>have some tips,

So, you had to find any positive aspect in the end? *smile

Anyway, I like your reviews.

Thomas
--
"The opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice"
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Thomas Hertel