Interview With Jason Russell, Founder & President of SEC
SemperVerus interviewed Jason Russell, former US Secret Service agent and founder and president of Secure Environment Consultants (SEC). Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Michigan State University. He started his career at the Lansing Police Department.
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Please describe Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) and its mission.
Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) is a national security consulting and training firm dedicated to helping organizations protect people, mission, and continuity of operations. Our mission is rooted in prevention, preparedness, and people-first security strategies. We partner with organizations to assess risk, develop clear plans, and train teams to respond effectively to real-world threats. At our core, SEC exists to help leaders make informed decisions that reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and safeguard the communities they serve.
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Among the organizations SEC serves are houses of worship. What top security risks has SEC identified for faith-based organizations?
Faith-based organizations face a unique combination of risks due to their open and welcoming nature. Common concerns include:
- unsecured access points
- large gatherings with limited screening
- medical emergencies
- domestic or interpersonal conflicts that spill onto campus and
- targeted violence motivated by ideology or grievance.
We also see risk tied to volunteer-based security teams that are well-intentioned but inconsistently trained. The goal is not to eliminate hospitality, but to balance openness with thoughtful, layered security.
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One of SEC’s core values is “Zero Fail Mentality,” the same objective that the US Secret Service has. Please explain this value and how SEC instills it into church security volunteer teams.
A Zero Fail Mentality means recognizing that when it comes to protecting life, failure is not an acceptable outcome. For churches, this doesn’t mean perfection—it means preparation. SEC instills this mindset by helping volunteer teams understand their role, rehearse realistic scenarios, and make clear decisions under pressure. We focus on discipline, accountability, and clarity, so volunteers aren’t guessing in a crisis. Confidence comes from knowing the plan and practicing it.
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What skills should a church security volunteer seek to perfect?
Observation, communication, and decision-making are foundational. Volunteers should be skilled at recognizing concerning behavior, calmly engaging individuals, communicating clearly with team members, and escalating issues appropriately. De-escalation skills are critical, as most situations can be resolved without force. Equally important is understanding one’s role: knowing when to act, when to observe, and when to call for help.
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What areas of a church campus are of concern in a security site assessment, and what are some recommendations to look out for?
Key areas include:
- entrances and exits
- children’s ministry spaces
- parking lots
- offices and
- any areas with limited visibility.
We also examine:
- lighting
- access control
- camera placement and
- emergency communication systems.
Recommendations often include:
- reducing unlocked entry points during services
- improving line of sight
- enhancing wayfinding for emergencies and
- ensuring staff and volunteers know how to quickly secure or evacuate spaces if needed.
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What is Behavioral Threat Assessment, and how should church security members employ it?
Behavioral Threat Assessment is a structured, team-based process for identifying, evaluating, and responding to concerning behaviors before they escalate. For churches, this means paying attention to warning signs such as:
- escalating agitation
- fixation
- grievances or
- boundary violations
and having a clear process to report and assess concerns. It’s not about profiling or punishment—it’s about early intervention, support, and safety for everyone involved.
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What security training does SEC offer church staff and volunteers?
SEC provides a range of training tailored to faith-based environments, including:
- de-escalation training
- Critical Incident Response Training
- active threat preparedness
- emergency medical response and
- leadership-level tabletop exercises.
We can provide a Train the Trainer model concept to help church leaders, then train their internal staff at any time throughout the year. Training can be provided on-site, virtually, or through our online learning portal, which is an affordable and accessible way to train church volunteers.
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How can a church security team stay informed about potential threats to its services and events in its community?
Staying informed includes maintaining relationships with local law enforcement, monitoring community events or tensions, using threat-monitoring tools when appropriate, and encouraging staff and congregants to report concerns early.
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Does SEC advocate for an armed church security team to be integrated with unarmed security volunteers?
SEC does not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether an armed component is appropriate depends on the church’s theology, culture, risk profile, and legal considerations. If armed security is present, integration, training, and clear rules of engagement are critical. Armed and unarmed team members must operate as one coordinated team with clearly defined roles.
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What elements should be included in training scenarios for active killer preparedness?
Scenarios should be realistic, role-specific, and focused on decision-making rather than fear. This includes recognizing early indicators, establishing communication protocols, making lockdown or evacuation decisions, coordinating with law enforcement, and providing post-incident care. The goal is to build confidence and muscle memory, not panic.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Review: House of Worship Firearms and Use of Force Policy ]
What is tabletop training, and why is it important?
Tabletop training is a facilitated discussion-based exercise where leaders and team members walk through realistic scenarios together. It allows teams to test plans, clarify roles, identify gaps, and build shared understanding in a low-stress environment. Tabletop exercises are one of the most effective ways to strengthen readiness without disrupting operations.
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What is SEC’s Exodus 6 Mission Trip Security?
Exodus 6 Mission Trip Security is SEC’s specialized program designed to support churches and faith-based organizations that conduct domestic or international mission trips for their youth groups or member volunteer groups. Exodus 6 focuses on providing a pre-trip risk assessment and planning guide, along with leadership emergency preparedness training, and real-time support to help teams travel safely while fulfilling their mission. This means SEC provides live monitoring of teams while they’re in the field, with real-time alerts about security incidents, health concerns, or environment risks in the area.
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How may a church contact you for further information?
Church leaders and security teams can connect with SEC through our website at secprotects.com or by reaching out directly to our team to schedule a conversation. We welcome the opportunity to listen first and tailor solutions that fit each church’s mission and culture.
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BIO: A former US Secret Service agent, Jason Russell brings White House-level security expertise to SEC, which he founded in 2013. He has provided hundreds of security assessments to schools, businesses, and organizations across the US and in several other countries, and has been called in to assist during crisis situations, including mass shootings and security threats.
He has worked with the Michigan Legislature to bring forward critical funding for site assessments at K-12 schools throughout the state and serves on Michigan’s School Safety and Mental Health Commission. He is also a frequent keynote speaker at conferences across the country on topics such as emergency preparedness, active shooter response, and safety and security procedures.
Before joining the Secret Service, Jason served as an officer with the Lansing (Michigan) Police Department. The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 26 people dead—mostly children younger than 7—and questions about his own children’s safety at school inspired Jason to start Secure Education Consultants.
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