When a gunman opened fire at 345 Park Avenue, a wave of panic surged through the Manhattan skyscraper and extended its reach to many Americans working outside the iconic glass towers of New York’s corporate world.

Patrick Timlin, the CEO of SilverSEAL Corporation and a seasoned professional with experience in both law enforcement and private security, explained to Fox News Digital that security measures are essential not only in skyscrapers but also in small-town halls, schools, and local family-owned grocery stores.

Timlin emphasizes that individuals in various roles, from software engineers in suburban office settings to receptionists in distribution hubs, should understand that the most effective defense comes from embracing simplicity, maintaining consistent practices, and staying aware of their surroundings.

“Stress-free, not fear-based,” he said. “You empower people when you train them.”

In Louisville, Kentucky, 2023, Connor Sturgeon, a 25-year-old bank employee who was facing job termination, entered a staff meeting and tragically took the lives of five coworkers while broadcasting the attack live.