Security + Facilities: Better Together with Tom Wirth

What happens when Security and Facilities operate as separate functions instead of strategic partners? In this episode of Fortify Your Future, Ken Carrasco sits down with Tom Wirth, a facilities and operations leader with more than 40 years of experience, including 15 years at Meta. Through Coastal Operations Advisors, Tom now advises organizations and mentors the next generation of facilities leaders. His background also includes urban search and rescue and business resiliency. Tom and Ken discuss why strong relationships between Security, Facilities, and executive leadership are critical to reducing risk and strengthening organizational resilience. They explore: • Why Security and Facilities can't afford to work in silos • Balancing security requirements with employee experience • Using risk data to justify investments in security and infrastructure • Understanding the business cost of not investing in preparedness • Why Security should be involved in site selection and workplace design • Lessons from urban search and rescue for corporate preparedness • Coordinating Security and Facilities during major disruptions • The importance of early and frequent crisis communication • Developing technical managers into trusted business leaders • Building influence through relationships across the organization • Using AI to improve operations without expecting technology to solve every problem Tom's message is especially relevant for leaders navigating today's pressure to do more with less: understand the business, build strong cross-functional relationships, prioritize what matters, and ensure Security and Facilities are aligned with the organization's strategy. This conversation is for Security Directors, Facilities Leaders, CSOs and aspiring CSOs, workplace and corporate real estate professionals, resilience leaders, and executives responsible for people, places, operations, and risk. Follow Fortify Your Future with Ken Carrasco for executive-level conversations on security leadership, enterprise risk, crisis management, organizational resilience, and the business of security. Connect with Tom Wirth: Tom Wirth on LinkedIn