ISJ hears exclusively from Javan Simpson, Senior Manager, Physical Security at ScotiaBank who discusses taking a people-first approach to security, building trust across teams.
As Scotiabank’s lead for Physical Security across Jamaica and the Caribbean, how do you ensure consistent execution of strategies when managing multiple teams and stakeholders?
I look for what is common or unites us and start there.
While every market has its own unique challenges, there are far more things that connect us than divide us and those shared priorities create a foundation for alignment.
I also try to provide context, explain intent clearly, be transparent about obstacles and limitations and respect the expertise that each stakeholder brings.
I’ve found that these principles are critical to building trust, gaining buy-in and achieving alignment across diverse teams.
What does a high-performing physical security team look like to you? What’s something you’ve championed at Scotiabank that has modernised how your program operates?
A high-performing physical security team is agile, transparent, dependable and committed to continuous improvement.
Those qualities complement the values that underpin Scotiabank’s culture, including client-centricity, integrity, inclusion and accountability.
Since joining the Bank, I’ve consistently championed a mindset of being willing to face the facts in their raw and unfiltered form.
This allows us to understand exactly where we stand in any situation and determine how to move forward safely, securely and sustainably.
How do you make the case for physical security investment to leadership, especially before a serious incident forces the conversation?
Trust, fact-based communication and alignment are essential when discussing security investments.
Trust is earned over time and is heavily influenced by each person’s experience; that is something you can’t shortcut.
What you can do though is present a concern or issue in a manner that your audience can readily understand and appreciate how it impacts them.
This is by keeping it basic; identify the issue, the context it exists in, the potential implications and the cost of addressing it vs leaving it unattended.
Physical security touches every part of a financial institution. What’s your approach to building strong relationships across teams?
I try to remind people that those of us in Security are people first. We face challenges, pressures and competing priorities just like everyone else.
I make it my duty to understand what matters to my clients and the teams I work alongside.
I aim to be service-oriented. Good service is not always about making everyone happy. In security, it is about helping people stay safe and secure, even when that means having difficult conversations or enforcing unpopular controls.
With two decades of management experience, Javan operates at the intersection of physical security, corporate risk, and tactical operations. His career spans several specialist domains to include military service, commercial guarding, aviation and maritime security, executive protection and financial sector investigations. Today, he leverages this cross-functional background to lead complex security frameworks across a multi-jurisdictional footprint.