Unlocking Security Operations Success Through Strategic Sourcing Partnerships

As security professionals, many of us come from law enforcement or military backgrounds, where our focus was typically on operational duties, not on navigating the complex world of contracts, budgets, or statements of work. The transition into corporate security presents a new set of challenges—especially in large, global companies where projects and initiatives compete for attention. One area where I see many struggle is in negotiating contracts and understanding Requests for Proposals (RFPs). It can be overwhelming, but the key is knowing when to lean on the expertise around you.

In my years in the corporate world, one lesson has stood out: trust the experts. Just as we expect others to trust our experience in security, we need to rely on our company's procurement and sourcing teams. These professionals are invaluable in helping us navigate the intricacies of contracts and ensuring that we get the best return on investment for the services, solutions, or hardware we are procuring.

I've personally found immense value in collaborating with these teams. Whether negotiating a contract or reviewing an RFP, they bring a level of expertise crucial for making sound business decisions. And let's face it—many of us are constantly approached by sales leads, consultants, solution providers, and vendors, all promising the next great thing. It's easy to get caught up in the noise, but the sourcing/procurement team acts as a filter, helping us cut through the fluff and focus on what will really move the needle for our business.

For those of us with backgrounds as cops or detectives, working with procurement can feel like a classic "good cop, bad cop" routine. We provide operational insight, and they handle the financial and contractual rigors, ensuring we strike the best deals for our company.

So, thank you to the teams who have been instrumental in our success! Shout out to the?ServiceNow ?Souring team:?Michael Rodrigues, ?Eileen Wollam, ?Brian Mackin, ?John Perez, and ?Raymond Wong !

Your expertise saves time and money and ensures that we can continue to focus on what we do best—keeping people and assets secure.

This approach is one of collaboration, trust, and respect for the various skill sets that make a corporation function at its highest potential. And it's just another example of how teamwork extends beyond the security operations function.