Thrust and Counterthrust

The threats of terror and technology have bullied their way into high levels of consciousness in all sectors of American life but have varied widely in degree and form of response. Business executives who assembled at The Conference Board's recent Conference on Security revealed the range and variety of approaches across corporate America. Some of their organizations have accepted the ominous new facts of business life, elevated security to high policy status, and created sensible programs. CFOs are being convinced of the importance of security issues, as at Avon and Cisco, where the climate has been deliberately shifted from reactive to proactive.