Orgsec encompasses all measures that protect your employees, assets, and reputation from threats. Preferred strategies should ensure both organizational and societal safety and security.
In an increasingly complex and digitalized world, organizations face a broad spectrum of security challenges that require holistic and integrated approaches. To understand how an organization maintains its services and operations in today's evolving threat landscape, it is essential to build knowledge on how individuals, groups and teams, leadership functions at all levels, and the organization as a whole mitigate potential security threats.
Contemporary approaches to organizational security have therefore developed from a wide base of research in the field of industrial and organizational psychology.
Initially, crises in organizations were seen as an inherent and expected risk in our high-tech society. Perrow (1984) argues that the increased complexity and technological interconnectedness of modern societies make it impossible to eliminate the risk of crises occurring.
This perspective implies that our efforts should focus on resilience and the ability to adapt and respond effectively when crises inevitably arise. Moreover, we must accept that crises and conflicts will be a regular part of our daily lives.
Later, a counterweight to this perspective emerged, emphasizing that crises can indeed be prevented through targeted development of vulnerable sectors and organizations.
Reason (1997) argues that by systematically improving and strengthening organizational structures, processes, and safety cultures, the risk of crises occurring can be reduced.
By implementing proactive measures, such as thorough risk assessments, training, and the establishment of robust safety systems, organizations can enhance their ability to withstand and manage unforeseen events.
Some go even further, claiming that even highly exposed organizations can prevent and manage crises effectively. Research shows that such high-reliability organizations have top management that emphasizes crisis management and prioritizes it as their foremost task.
Roberts (1990) indicates that these organizations develop strong crisis preparedness by implementing comprehensive safety measures, regular training, and frequent crisis simulations. The 24/7 operations of an aircraft carrier is a prime example of how risk can be well-managed over time.
Top management plays a critical role in fostering a culture that prioritizes safety and risk management. They ensure that all levels of the organization are aware of potential threats and are prepared to respond.
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Today newer methods for organizational security build on research from industrial and organizational psychology, enhancing risk assessment and decision-making, inter-organizational collaboration, and a sustainable security culture to address risks over time.
BrÄten (2022) emphasizes that these types of strategies must be prioritized to promote general preparedness against unexpected events at the societal level while considering local risk factors to develop proportionate preparedness within individual organizations.
Today, we must apply both a bottom-up and top-down perspective on organizational security. The broad knowledge base of organizational security today are enabling organizations and societies to prosper in the years to come.
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