A solid Safety Management System (SMS) will drive an organization’s safety culture. A business-like systematic approach to managing safety risks, a SMS provides an organized way to set goals, make plans and measure a business’ performance. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) organizes the SMS concept around four pillars: policy, safety risk management, safety assurance and promotion. Safety expert, Fred Roggero (Major General USAF Ret.) President & CEO of Resilient Solutions, Ltd., a customer-focused professional services company headquartered in McLean, Virginia, provides his perspective on these pillars below.