Insights from Sheriff Rich Stanek (Ret.), Senior Advisor, Public Safety

Why Collaboration Matters: Protecting Citizens and Enterprises

Public-private collaboration directly contributes to both public safety and organizational resilience. When private sector initiatives align with public safety goals, the impact is amplified. For example, a neighborhood watch program that installs license plate reader cameras and partners with local law enforcement transforms private investment into a shared safety asset. Similarly, when companies proactively build strong internal security capabilities, and those efforts are integrated with public agency coordination, it eases strain on limited public resources, supporting safer communities and more secure commercial environments.

Many of today’s most complex security challenges, especially those driven by rapidly advancing technologies like AI, drones, and cyber tools, cannot be addressed by the public or private sector alone. For example, at large outdoor sporting events or large gatherings of people, drones are a real concern because of weaponization capabilities. The private sector stadium personnel may not have the necessary resources or technology to counter these threats. These threats often cross legal, ethical, and operational lines. While to a certain extent the private sector has more leeway in their approaches, public agencies bring legal authority and governance. When these strengths are combined, both sides are better equipped to navigate the scale and complexity of modern risks.

Rich Stanek, CSA Senior Advisor for Public Safety, notes “Strategic alignment between public and private sectors isn’t just about shared goals; it’s about shared readiness,” he says. “It means planning together, addressing training, equipment, personnel, policy, and procedures.”

The Cost of Siloed Security Efforts

Though some silos are intentional — due to legal or policy constraints — disconnected approaches to security create real blind spots. For example, in the case of an incident in a grocery store parking lot, law enforcement may need access to corporate security footage or license plate data. But access can be delayed by internal procedures or legal reviews. These guardrails exist for valid reasons, but highlight the importance of established collaboration frameworks that enable rapid, lawful information exchange when it matters most.

The Bottom Line: We All Want the Same Thing

Public and private sector interests are more aligned than they might appear. Whether you're a customer walking to your car, a corporate security manager protecting your store, or a responding officer, everyone shares a commitment to safety. The tools and methods may vary, but the mission is the same.

What Effective Collaboration Looks Like

Overlooked but Necessary: Cross-Sector Advisory Councils

One underutilized opportunity is the creation of advisory councils that include voices from both public agencies and private organizations. These groups build trust, encourage mutual understanding, and bring diverse perspectives to the table, ultimately driving smarter, more balanced decision-making. As Stanek notes, “If you’re going to build cross-sector partnerships, you need divergent perspectives at the table. When everyone thinks the same way, you miss more than half the threat landscape.”

Other effective models of collaboration:

• Information sharing: Secure, structured exchange of insights to elevate situational awareness.
• Joint operations: Coordinated emergency responses or shared development of protocols and procedures.

When collaboration is proactive — not just reactive — both sectors benefit from improved coordination, faster responses, and stronger resilience.

Barriers to Collaboration

Even with aligned goals, challenges persist:

• Jurisdictional overlap can create confusion or delay.
• Sensitivity around data may inhibit transparency.
• Mistrust or inconsistent engagement can limit progress.

This is why it’s so important to engage consistently, establish shared goals, and develop clear protocols well before a crisis occurs.

Balancing Immediate and Long-Term Crisis Response

In any crisis, the immediate situation must take precedence. However, forward-looking organizations understand that long-term strategy is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Whether through pre-incident planning or post-incident reviews, collaborative relationships can evolve into durable partnerships that improve readiness and resilience over time.

The Future of Collaboration—and the Role of Business-Aligned Security Leadership

As emerging risks — from supply chain disruptions to AI-driven threats — grow more complex, the case for closer alignment becomes even stronger. Technology will continue to blur the lines between public and private responsibility, but when shared effectively, tools like predictive analytics and early warning systems can enhance prevention and response for both sectors.

Security leaders as trusted bridges

Chief Security Officers, Chief Risk Officers, and Chief Legal Officers are uniquely positioned to connect the dots across sectors. Titles alone don’t build partnerships though —trust does. Relationships built through consistency, transparency, and shared value are what turn routine coordination into meaningful collaboration.

The future ahead

Public-private collaboration isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. It serves the safety of individuals, the stability of organizations, and the resilience of communities. Whether through joint operations, cross-sector advisory councils, or structured information-sharing, effective collaboration builds the trust and infrastructure needed to respond to today’s most complex security challenges.

As technology accelerates the pace and scale of risk, the need for intentional, strategic partnerships between sectors will only grow. The path forward requires business-aligned security leaders who can bridge sectors, translate priorities, and enable shared outcomes. In an increasingly interconnected world, public and private entities must work together — not just to respond to threats, but to shape a more secure future.

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Rich Stanek, a Senior Advisor, CSA, has 40 years of public safety experience, including organizational leadership, agency management, national law enforcement best practices, crime reduction strategies, public policy advocacy, corporate security, and expert testimony. He has served as a senior law enforcement advisor to the Director of National Intelligence, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has also previously served as Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Director of Homeland Security for the State of Minnesota and an elected official in the Minnesota State House of Representatives as a Legislator. 

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