So You Want to Be a Global CSO?

Advice on landing a gig in Europe from someone whos been there, done that

June 15, 2007 — CSO — Ever since I moved to Europe, I’ve been inundated with inquiries from other Americans wondering how they might also find a job here. I figured I’d save time and money on the phone calls by writing a column on the topic. (Yes, I’m that lazy.)

Many Americans think that Europe is an employee’s paradise just because the work hours are shorter, there is more job security, and employees get more vacation time. Those things are certainly true, but before you begin your job hunt, you should understand what you’re up against.

First, compensation in Europe tends to be lower than in the States. Even though American ex-pats get the first $80,000 of their salary tax-free, that doesn’t really make up for the difference. Also, it can be difficult adjusting to the different culture. You’ll probably need to be proficient in the language of the country where the job is based, and even then you’re likely to experience some degree of discrimination. Finally, most countries require that the employer certify that there were no available, qualified workers in the host country to do the job. It helps that information security is a technical field with a relative shortage of qualified people, but it might be more difficult to make this case in physical security.

Given these challenges, what’s the best way to proceed? In my experience, the best ways for an American to work in Europe are either to work for a global, American-based company and ask to be transferred to a European office, or to work for an international agency based in Europe. I’ve done both and know the advantages and drawbacks of both methods.

If you work for an American company, then, by definition, that company’s headquarters will be located in the United States. That can put you at a disadvantage when coordinating security issues with senior management. The time zone difference may sometimes mean working late nights. It’s often hard to stay in the loop, and you’ll have to deal with the “us versus them” attitude that tends to occur between a central management office (which makes policies) and the field offices (which have to execute those policies).

It’s not all bad, though. You’ll be able to speak with some knowledge and authority about how European laws or local conditions must be taken into account when making security policies. You’ll also be more conversant about the European market and attitudes. If you manage it wisely, you can gain the trust of both your European and American colleagues on all kinds of matters.