Taylor & Company Launches Security Executive Recruiting Service

ATLANTA, GA. -- Security awareness is at an unprecedented level in the financial services industry as the sector grapples with the reality that financial institutions with prominent corporate identities are potential targets for terrorist attack. Efforts by Congress, meanwhile, to stem the money flow through terrorist networks have placed large U.S. banks on heightened alert in the domestic war on terrorism.

The threat of additional attacks and the recent anthrax scares that halted operations at the highest levels of government underscore the importance of having the proper security solutions in place to safeguard property and personnel. Corporate America must contend not only with criminal activity and workplace violence but, as illustrated by the Sept. 11 attacks, less conventional threats that can result in human loss, workplace disruptions and profit shortfalls during this period of economic instability.

To meet this challenge, Taylor & Company, a recognized provider of management consulting and recruiting services to the financial services industry, has expanded its executive search capabilities to meet the increasing demand for professional security executives. Depending on an organization's requirements, Taylor recruits professional security executives with the experience and expertise to fit a client's specific risk profile. An alliance with Odysseus Group International, a leading integrated security services firm in Washington, DC, will provide clients access to strategic advice and comprehensive security policy and program direction.

"Banks and insurance companies need immediate assistance in meeting the extraordinary demand for professionals who have the experience and expertise required to protect life and property," said Rod Taylor, president of Taylor & Company. A former vice chairman of Union Planters Bank, he has worked closely with foreign and domestic government agencies while advising corporate clients in security-intensive situations. Clients have included a wide variety of global 1000 corporations and government organizations around the world.

Many commercial banks have substantial risks in asset collateral and weak internal security in the United States and abroad. Taylor's services include access to state-of-the-art technology for integrated security platforms, including procurement intermediation services to help banks examine the multitude of systems available to enhance security.

Additionally, large banks that engage in correspondent and private banking are under greater scrutiny as lawmakers move to hinder the financing of terrorism and protect the U.S. banking system from illegal money. "There's going to be additional pressure on the banking system to examine those clients much more vigorously than ever before, and we have the means to support those approaches," said Ken Moore, a specialist in international banking and real estate and partner in Taylor & Company.

Insurance companies, meanwhile, must now consider the increased risk to the lives and property they insure. It is difficult to imagine that insurers will not penalize or reward clients based on their response to specific security threats. Taylor's firm is able to recruit professionals who can address those issues with empirical knowledge.

Although the need for security enhancement in financial services is particularly acute, other corporate entities have similar requirements. And one of their greatest challenges is initiating internal changes to make security a principal focus of corporate operations. Currently, some security functions report to Human Resources, while Audit, Legal or Facilities Maintenance manages others in the same organization. "After September 11," said Taylor, "institutions with complex security requirements will centralize authority over security under the direction of executives that can design, implement and maintain integrated security platforms."

"Corporate executives need to maximize federal intelligence, law enforcement and security resources to protect corporate assets and reduce risks now more than ever," said Odysseus Chairman and former CIA Chief of Terrorism Analysis Dick Coffman.

While recruiting requirements vary in scope and complexity, corporate managers should be certain that the executives managing their security functions are capable of the following:

• Auditing and assessing existing security functions.
  
• Strategic planning for comprehensive integrated security platforms.
  
• Designing and implementing policies, programs and procedures.
  
• Selecting, procuring and installing cost-effective security systems and services.
  
• Employee orientation and training.

"There are basic steps that every responsible executive should take immediately," said Mike McKinzie, a former U.S. Army special operations commander in the Middle East and consultant to Taylor & Company. "Some are obvious, and some are not. Unfortunately, many who are responsible for security just don't know because they have never faced the threat of terrorist attack."

About Taylor & Company
Since 1975, Taylor & Company has conducted consulting and recruiting projects for financial institutions of all types and sizes throughout the world. Taylor's security executive search capabilities are built upon years of experience in the financial services industry and a global network of associates linking partners to U.S. government intelligence agencies, security consultants and vendors of security systems and technology.