Book excerpt: Historically, security managers have tended to be sourced from either the armed forces or law enforcement. But the increasing complexity of the organisations employing them, along with the technologies employed by them, is forcing an evolution and expansion of the role, and security managers must meet this challenge in order to succeed in their field and protect the assets of their employers. Risk management, crisis management, continuity management, strategic business operations, data security, IT, and business communications all fall under the purview of the security manager. This book is a guide to meeting those challenges, providing the security manager with the essential skill set and knowledge base to meet the challenges faced in contemporary, international, or tech-oriented businesses. It covers the basics of strategy, risk, and technology from the perspective of the security manager, focussing only on the 'need to know'. The reader will benefit from an understanding of how risk management aligns its functional aims with the strategic goals and operations of the organisation. This essential book supports professional vocational accreditation and qualifications, such as the Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) or Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and advises on pathways to higher education qualifications in the fields of security and risk management. It is ideal for any risk manager looking to further their training and development, as well as being complementary for risk and security management programs with a focus on practice.