Show Summary
In this episode of the Secure Access Podcast, sponsored by Sign In Solutions, host John Dillard is joined by Joshua Allen, Director of Safety & Security at Cirkul, and a seasoned security professional. Josh shares his remarkable journey from his upbringing in rural Arkansas to his extensive experience in national security, corporate security, and crisis management. Starting as a Marine involved in WMD countermeasures, Josh transitioned to the State Department, where he handled global crises before moving into the private sector. He discusses his leadership roles at Walmart, Meta (formerly Facebook), and most recently, as the first Chief Security Officer at startup Cirkul. Josh provides insights into the evolving security landscape, the critical importance of understanding business operations, and the contrast between public and private sector security practices. The conversation also touches on the generational shifts in security talent and the impact of technology on modern security strategies.
Key takeaways
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Learn the business first - be a partner, not "the sheriff"
- GWOT generation brings real combat experience to security leadership
- Physical and digital security are now converging
- Startups let you build programs right from day one
- Trust enables speed in security decision-making
- Security officers are emergency responders, not just guards
"You gotta find a way to yes. Help them accomplish that mission in the safest way possible."
"We cut our teeth in war. The Cold War era folks, it was mostly just talking. Our generation is much different."
"Build your own battleship from the ground up - if that thing doesn't float, it's on you."
"You're leading a crisis that you're also in the middle of."
"Walmart - we were there the next morning rolling trucks of water and food."
Connect and learn more about Joshua Allen
This episode is brought to you by Sign In Solutions. If you found today's conversation insightful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. For more on transforming compliance, security, and workplace experiences, visit signinsolutions.com.
