During a recent security management course delegates discussed the range of skills that they felt necessary for a security management to possess in order to be effective. All agreed that interpersonal and communication skills were paramount.
In addition to pure security management skills, delegates divided the remaining skill requirements into two sets: business management skills and soft skills.
Business management skills, according to the group, included: project management, finance management, time management, presentation skills, planning skills, IT skills, and managing change. Much of this training can be sourced internally or by attending evening classes at local colleges.
The softer skills were more difficult to achieve through training, but training would at least deliver some of the underlying principles. Softer skills included: interpersonal skills, communication skills, negotiating, influencing, leadership, problem solving, analysis, relationship building, and listening skills.
Importantly, it was recognised that effective security managers are those who have the ability to communicate well with all levels of the business.
