The Business Case for Security: Turning Risk Into Measurable Value
Security leaders are under increasing pressure to justify investments in environments dominated by cost control, operational efficiency and measurable return, yet many still struggle to translate risk into business terms that resonate with executive decision-makers.
This dual-presenter session examines that gap from two complementary perspectives. First, you’ll explore the internal challenges security leaders face such as limited visibility to leadership, competing priorities and difficulty quantifying risk in financial terms. Next, we’ll demonstrate how effective leaders overcome these barriers by aligning security strategies with core business objectives and leveraging industry solutions to address real operational issues.
Drawing from experience across commercial real estate, manufacturing and critical infrastructure, this session will highlight practical approaches that connect security initiatives to outcomes such as loss reduction, business assurance, compliance, workforce experience and brand protection.
Speakers
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Mike LavwayPrincipal Consultant, Technology and Operations
ZBetaMike Lavway, CPP, is a senior security executive and U.S. Army veteran with over 22 years of progressive leadership experience in enterprise security risk management, program development and physical security consulting. His military background instilled a disciplined, mission-driven approach to security that has defined his career across both the public and private sectors, guiding organizations through transformational technology initiatives and aligning security strategy with broader business objectives.
As a principal consultant at ZBeta, Lavway leads a high-performing team of consultants while delivering strategic advisory services to clients navigating complex security challenges. His practice is anchored in the technology and operations framework, through which he helps organizations move from reactive security postures to proactive, risk-informed programs. Lavway is particularly sought after for his ability to translate executive-level risk priorities into actionable, measurable security strategies.
Throughout his career, Lavway has worked across critical infrastructure, financial services, corporate enterprise, health care and government sectors in roles ranging from intern to head of corporate security, bringing the same rigorous, outcomes-focused methodology to every engagement. His combination of military discipline, executive experience and deep consulting expertise makes him a uniquely effective advisor for organizations facing significant security transformation.
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Chris MartiniPrincipal Consultant, Security and Risk
ZBetaChristopher Martini, CPP, is a senior security leader with more than three decades of experience designing and leading enterprise security, safety and risk management programs across critical infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors. Having spent much of his career in corporate security leadership roles, he brings a practitioner’s perspective to consulting, grounded in what it takes to operationalize strategy, manage risk in real environments and deliver meaningful and organizationally relevant outcomes.
Martini serves as a principal consultant with ZBeta Consulting, where he advises global organizations and critical infrastructure operators on threat and risk mitigation, security program maturity and operational optimization. His work reflects a practical, execution-focused approach, including NERC CIP-014–aligned threat and vulnerability assessments, development of regulatory-compliant physical security plans and executive guidance on risk prioritization and capital investment strategy.
