As a government cleared person who also specializes in business effectiveness, I am starting to hear a different story behind the veil of secrecy.  I hear security personnel say they want to be included at the management table.  They know that new budget realities will require change and that the processes for administering government cleared work must be examined.  They are also very aware that security personnel can become entrenched through years of hard-earned audit close-outs.  Change of this sort requires a special appreciation of the security world and the unique nature of each business.  "Improvements can be made," as one security manager recently testified to me.  It came because he had a vision, a willingness to apply the tools of continuous improvement, an openness to challenge the status quo, the strength to deal with tough personnel issues, the will to navigate political waters, good financial savvy and perseverance.  In these economic times, status quo is a high risk strategy.  Get in the game, get on the improvement journey and come to the table.