Building a Resilient Security Strategy: Adapting to Evolving Threat Landscapes

Summary

• Security is not static: Organizations must continuously reassess risks, update infrastructure, and adapt security strategies to evolving threats.
• Prioritize security investments: Address the most pressing vulnerabilities first, align spending with business priorities, and implement phased upgrades.
• Stakeholder engagement is critical: Security teams must communicate risks, demonstrate business impact, and involve IT, finance, and operations in security decisions.
• Technology enhances resilience: Leveraging AI-driven analytics, remote monitoring, and scalable solutions can improve threat detection and operational efficiency.

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Physical security is no longer just about locks, guards, and CCTV cameras. As threat landscapes shift and technology advances, security strategies must evolve accordingly. Organizations that take a "set it and forget it" approach to security are setting themselves up for failure. 

In a recent webinar, Former Vice President of Security of Northrop Grumman, Mary Rose McCaffrey, sat down with LVT’s AVP of Business and Market Development, Brady Edwards, and talked about the importance of evolving security strategies and outlined steps to ensure security postures remain effective. 

Below, we’ll explore some key takeaways from the discussion.

Embedding Security into Business Operations

Security cannot be treated as an afterthought—it must be embedded into every facet of an organization’s operations. Too often, security measures are implemented as standalone initiatives rather than as integrated components of broader business functions. This results in vulnerabilities and inefficiencies and leaves organizations exposed to preventable risks.

A proactive security strategy requires:

• Regular engagement between security teams and other business units
• Seamless integration of security policies with daily operational workflows
• Establishing clear accountability for security-related responsibilities across departments

Without this level of integration, security will be reactive rather than proactive and will always feel like a game of catch-up.

Assessing and Addressing Security Risks

Security risks aren’t always glaring red flags. Sometimes, they lurk beneath the surface, waiting for the worst possible moment to expose vulnerabilities. Organizations must consistently evaluate their risk landscape if they want to stay two steps ahead of bad actors.  

Security threats come in many forms. Physical breaches, infrastructure failures, operational disruptions, insider threats…the list goes on and on. And the reality is, what plagues one organization may not even be a concern for another.

That’s why conducting a risk assessment is essential. It helps organizations:

• Identify vulnerabilities in existing security protocols
• Prioritize risks based on potential impact
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate identified threats
• Continuously refine security measures as new risks emerge

Infrastructure: A Living, Breathing System

One of the biggest mistakes many organizations make is treating their security infrastructure as a static investment. Buildings, camera systems, alarm networks, and access controls all require ongoing maintenance and periodic upgrades to remain effective.

“Think of your infrastructure as not a static infrastructure. Think of infrastructure as something that is flexible, scalable, and can evolve as the mission evolves, as the security posture evolves, and as your company evolves,” McCaffrey advised.

To create a resilient security strategy, organizations must: 

• Regularly assess the condition of existing security infrastructure
• Invest in scalable solutions that can grow with business needs
• Plan for life cycle costs and budget for necessary updates
• Ensure backup systems are functional before an emergency occurs

Gaining Stakeholder Buy-In for Security Adaptation

One of the biggest hurdles in evolving security strategies is gaining internal support. Many leaders view security as an overhead cost rather than a business enabler. 

McCaffrey emphasized that the key to overcoming this challenge is education and communication, noting, “If security stays in the background and does not have a voice with company policy, procedures, or programs, then companies think that security sometimes is just magic—it’s not fairy dust, but it costs money. If they understand what you're trying to do to deter, detect, and to, as I call it, stay as far left of boom as possible, they will help you in that journey.” 

To successfully rally leadership and employees around security initiatives:

• Involve all stakeholders early: Bring IT, finance, and operations teams into security discussions 
• Demonstrate business impact: Show how security measures protect assets, improve efficiency, and reduce financial risk.
• Use real-world examples: Highlight incidents where security failures led to operational disruptions or financial losses
• Pilot quick-win solutions: Proving the value of small security upgrades can help build momentum for larger investments

Prioritizing Security Investments Amid Budget Constraints

Security budgets are never unlimited, and organizations often face tough decisions about where to allocate funds. To make the most of security budgets:

• Align security spending with business priorities: Address risks that could directly impact revenue, compliance, or customer trust
• Implement a phased approach: Instead of waiting for full funding to overhaul security, address the most pressing vulnerabilities first and build improvements over time
• Look for technology solutions that maximize efficiency: Automation, AI-driven security analytics, and integrated monitoring systems can provide enhanced security without significantly increasing labor costs.

The Role of Technology in Resilience

Technology is so much more than a tool—it’s a force multiplier. From AI-powered analytics to remote monitoring systems, modern solutions offer unprecedented capabilities for threat detection, prevention, and response. As McCaffrey noted, “Technology can enable the mission of security while allowing humans to do the other hard work.”

A Security Strategy That Evolves With You

Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time investment. The most resilient organizations are those that continuously reassess risks, update infrastructure, and align security strategies with business goals.

As McCaffrey emphasized, failure to evolve security postures can have serious consequences—ranging from financial losses to operational shutdowns. The key is to take a proactive, adaptable approach, ensuring that security remains a core business priority.

Want to dive deeper into the insights shared in this blog? Check out the full webinar.