Preface to Chinese Readers

In this Year of the Rat, the great nation of China faces a new and unique moment. This startling era is filled with both opportunities and challenges.China is investing abroad as never before in pursuit of the Going Out policy.Climate change, terrorism and hot conflict loom large for our governments.The ambitious One Belt-One Road initiative extends Chinese investment into complex, diverse and developing regions, posing unique security challenges.Recently, COVID-19 has similarly tested our collective preparedness. As the Chinese proverb taught us, "A crisis is an opportunity, riding on a dangerous wind".

As an historic leader in the world, China has much wisdom to offer.Likewise,I believe the full strength of China is best harnessed through cooperation and exchange. In the spirit of this cooperation, I wish to humbly offer my suggestions and observations. I write not as an American, but as a decades-long security expert and traveler.

These travels have brought me not only to Beijing, the proud Tiananmen,the Great Wall, and many other locations around China, but to many climes and countries. Often, these places are considerably dangerous and strife-filled. Such places as Iraq, Afghanistan, Algeria, and Egypt demonstrate potential perils in the global business environment. If the proud goals of China are to be fulfilled, China must continue to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens. This challenge is expanded as China invests in places like Africa, placing personnel in new and turbulent environments. Think of the piracy around the Al-Mandab Strait; of the varied rebels of Burma/Myanmar. Think of the Malaysian kidnappings, the Philippines insurgency, the transnational drug trade the world over. Consider that terrorists of Central Asia, or the warring parties of the Maghreb.

As President Xi Jinping once told a journalist, "Happiness does not fall out of the blue and dreams will not come true by themselves. We need to be downto-earth and work hard". For my purposes, working hard means anticipating threats and rectifying weaknesses. In the pages of this book I will share with you the fruits of my experience, and the means to apply these lessons in practice.

Throughout my work I have continually learned one crucial lesson: people are the same the world over. We want to feel safe and secure. We want the same for our families and our friends. The principles of security are the same around the world as well, as these pages will show.

I have always considered security a noble profession. As protectors of the citizenry, we are patient, studious warriors. We help and protect others. We ensure the prosperity of businesses, factories and the growing economy. We are in the business of prevention. "Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin".

Security works best when it incorporates all eyes and ears. Every organization is multi-layered, and security professionals need to be mindful of varying opinions. If one group is left out of the discussion, for example, how can the security professional properly judge reality?

While traveling for projects around the world, I began to recognize a simple truth: each member of an organization has a story to tell. All inhabitants of an environment, by their voice or by their silence, have facts to share. Sometimes,what this requires is someone asking the right questions. Chinese proverbs teach us "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood"; and sometimes"medicine is bitter". Distinguishing friend from foe, places of shelter from zones of danger, is not as simple as it may seem. Crucial information may come from the most unlikely places. It helps to understand and listen to the employees of a facility. Not just the important views of the manager or director are required for security, but also those of the various others: contractors, vendors, neighbors,those who service the facility.

My hope is for you to use this book as a tool for discovery. Security is more than locks and cameras and alarms. It is a behavior, a way of life. Most of all, it is a way to enable human beings to aspire to higher things than physical safety. All that we hold dear requires a basis of stability. My collected experiences are now in your hands. I hope in the coming days you can fruitfully apply the contents.We are now partners in this business of security. As one colleague to another, I wish you good luck.

Scott Alan Ast