Our Beginnings
“My years in the Navy taught me that true security isn’t just about perimeter checks or protocols—it’s about people. MZ Security Consulting was founded to bring that mindset to schools: strategic, trauma-informed, and built on trust. We don’t just assess risk—we empower leaders to respond with clarity, empathy, and purpose.”
— Mark Zirtzlaff, Founder & CEO, MZ Security Consulting
Strategy, Empathy, and Preparedness
MZ Security Consulting was founded with a singular mission: to protect people through strategic, trauma-informed safety solutions. Our story began with a shared passion for resolving complex security risks and empowering communities to lead with confidence and compassion.
Our founder—a 27-year U.S. Navy veteran and former Protective Security Officer for the Department of Homeland Security—brought decades of global experience in force protection, anti-terrorism, and emergency operations. Alongside other seasoned professionals, he recognized a critical gap: schools and organizations needed cost-effective, customized safety solutions that balanced tactical readiness with emotional resilience.
In response, MZ Security Consulting was born to deliver vendor-neutral assessments, leadership-ready training, and inclusive safety frameworks that meet the evolving needs of today’s schools. At the heart of every solution is the TIRRA+™ Assessment Process, ensuring strategies do more than meet standards: they restore trust, regulate emotions, and strengthen community resilience while uniting physical security, emotional safety, and strategic leadership.
Our beginnings are only the foundation. Our vision is to establish trauma‑informed safety as the national gold standard, ensuring every child learns in an environment of trust and security.
