People, Risk, and Security: How to prevent your greatest asset from becoming your greatest liability

by Lance Wright

Lance Wright shows why business in the 21st century requires a new understanding of the intersection of risk, security, and human resource management. He argues that these areas should no longer be considered separate processes, handled by technical specialists with limited spheres of expertise. People, risk and security management should be treated as a critically important integrated business management system. 

People may be your greatest asset – but they can also be your biggest liability.

They expose you to all sorts of risks – risks from things they can do (or fail to do) and from things that can be done to them. No matter how tight a risk and security management policy may be in theory, it can fail on its first contact with reality if it doesn’t understand the people involved.

Wright understands people, risk and security like few others. For years he was in charge people management for leading oil companies – getting people into and out of some of the most dangerous and hostile work environments on the planet – and keeping them safe while they were there. Then he was responsible for a private army, literally licenced to kill, guarding nuclear submarines that were being decommissioned as part of the Megatons to Megawatts program.



Risk is more than a set of formulas. Security is more than guns, gates, and badges. Both ultimately come down to the people you are responsible for. One day, the depth of your understanding of that connection may what stands between you and disaster.  

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2017

Reviews

[Arthur Kaliisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wright says that risk is everywhere and in everything. The threats that affect our security largely determine where we find ourselves today. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that for growth to accrue to one’s investments and assets, one must be intentional in building relationships with partners, service providers, and our people. Over the past few years, we agree that we have experienced a threat environment that has caused us to question the myths we once believed to be accurate; we must be situationally aware and intelligent to deal with risk threats. It is crucial to appreciate the human element when dealing with risk – no matter how well constructed our investment portfolios are, it’s essential to consider the individual’s risk tolerance.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The material is fine, but I'm the kind of reader who gets distracted by so many grammatical and typographical errors. It also uses Wikipedia and Investipedia for many of its references which, to me, are questionable resources.

[James Keogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book on risk management combining with people, risk, and security.