Foundations of Security Management: Core Concepts and Best Practices is a comprehensive, forward-looking textbook that redefines how security professionals understand, design, and implement protection strategies in a rapidly changing world. Authored by Michelle L. Chace, MSSM, a seasoned security consultant and educator, this book blends academic insight with decades of real-world experience across high-profile government, commercial, and critical infrastructure sectors. Through structured, chapter-by-chapter progression, readers explore the full spectrum of modern security management from terrorism, homeland security, and risk assessment to cybersecurity, crisis management, and artificial intelligence integration. Each chapter integrates case studies, current standards (DHS, NIST, ISO, NFPA, and ASIS), and practical tools to bridge the gap between theory and application. Designed for students, practitioners, and industry leaders, this text provides both foundational knowledge and advanced strategies for managing today’s complex threat environment. It emphasizes ethical leadership, resilience planning, and systems thinking, empowering readers to protect assets, people, and operations while shaping the future of the security profession with competence, integrity, and innovation. Michelle L. Chace, MSSM is a nationally recognized physical security consultant, expert witness, and educator specializing in threat and risk assessment, security master planning, and forensic analysis. She is the founder and president of Mitigation Assessor, LLC, a Daytona Beach based security consulting firm providing impartial, technically sound services to clients nationwide. With a Master of Science in Security Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, she brings more than two decades of experience in physical security, mitigation planning, and litigation consulting, applying industry standards. Michelle is an active member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC), Security Industry Association (SIA), ASIS International and Intellenet. She previously co-authored The Fundamentals of Security Management: A Common Sense Approach (Copley Publishing, 2007) and authored Nebraska Legislative Bill 116 (2005), contributing to meaningful public policy reform. Foundations of Security Management: Core Concepts and Best Practices reflects her commitment to strengthening the security profession through clear, practice guidance. Jessica Pitman, her daughter, assisted in the cover illustration of this book, reflecting their shared commitment to creativity, excellence, and family legacy.