At TPSO magazine, we enthusiastically recommend membership of a high quality security industry organisation, for networking, mentoring and career development opportunities. In this issue, Mike Hurst tells us about ASIS International……
ASIS International, it is the global community of security professionals with 34,000 members, with 244 chapters established in 83 countries, although there are in fact members in 140 countries: in 2018, we had a net growth of 1,000 members. As an association, we develop Board recognised certifications, international standards and guidelines, produce webinars (mostly free for members), run online communities enabling members to interact, ask (and answer) questions and support career development. We also support research via the ASIS Foundation which also offers scholarships to members seeking to further their education.
Something that may be of particular interest to the readers of TPSO is new
Private Security Officer Selection and Training (PSO) Guideline (ASIS PSO-2019) which ASIS has just produced. This provides recommendations for establishing and managing a program for the selection and training of private security officers.
The Guideline, a revision of the ASIS PSO-2010, is critical to the private security industry employing millions of security officers globally. Applicable to both proprietary and contract security, the guideline focuses on three key areas of a private security officer selection and training program—its development, implementation, and improvement. The framework comprises:
- Establishment of policies and procedures
- Assignment of roles and responsibilities
- Allocation of resources to the program
- Setting vetting and selection criteria
- Private security officer training and competencies
- Program evaluation and improvement
Further sub-categorised:
- Banking and Financial Services
- Commercial Real Estate
- Crime Prevention
- Crisis Management and Business Continuity
- Cultural Properties
- Defense and Intelligence
- Executive Protection
- Fire and Life Safety
- Food Defense and Agriculture
- Security Gaming and Wagering Protection
- Global Terrorism, Political Instability, & International Crime
- Healthcare Security
- Hospitality, Entertainment, & Tourism Security
- Human Threat Management
- Information Technology Security
- Intellectual Property
- Investigations
- Law Enforcement Liaison
- Military Liaison
- Petrochemical, Chemical, & Extractive Industry Security
- Pharmaceutical Security
- Physical Security
- Professional Development
- Retail Asset Protection
- School Safety and Security
- Security Applied Sciences Ad Hoc
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Security Services
- Supply Chain and Transportation Security
- Utilities Security
- Women in Security
- Young Professionals
- Critical Infrastructure Working Group
ASIS members work across all sectors and the are several Councils / Communities which pool together subject matter experts to share information and skills, produce good practice information and contribute to research and educational initiatives. Currently these councils are
Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
The Certified Protection Professional (CPPⓇ) is considered the “gold standard” for security management professionals. This certification validates your knowledge in all areas of security management. Eligibility requirements include 7-9 years of security experience and 3 years in responsible charge of a security function
Associate Protection Professional (APP)
The Associate Protection Professional (APP) designation provides the first “rung” on the security manager’s career ladder. It is for those with 1-4 years of security management experience and measures the professional’s knowledge of security management fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management
Professional Certified Investigator (PCIⓇ)
The professional Certified Investigator (PCIⓇ) certification provides demonstrable proof of an individual’s knowledge and experience in case management, evidence collection, and preparation of reports and testimony to substantiate findings. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED equivalent and five years of investigations experience, with at least two years in case management
Physical Security Professional (PSPⓇ)
The Physical Security Professional (PSPⓇ) demonstrates your knowledge in physical security assessments, application, design, and integration of physical security systems, and implementation of security measures. Eligibility requirements include a high school diploma, GED equivalent, or associate degree AND six years of progressive experience in the physical security field OR a Bachelor’s degree or higher AND four years of progressive experience in the physical security field
What does ASIS do in the UK?
Being part of this global community is of great value to many members, but what do we offer in the UK? Well, there are around 1,200 in the ASIS UK community and the volunteers who lead this work hard to support security professional at all levels. Whether you are already established in your security career and looking to connect with a trusted network of peers; looking to progress into a management or senior management role; transitioning from the police or military; or are looking to develop the first steps in a security career then I’d encourage you to join and get involved. www.asisonine.org/join
ASIS UK runs quarterly seminars, with excellent speakers talking out key security topics, smaller CPE (Continuing Professional Education) events regionally and runs events alongside some of the major security exhibitions and conferences. We are leading the diversity agenda in the UK with Women in Security and Young Professionals groups and in April 2019, organised a conference focussing on Diversity and Inclusion with speakers from the LGBT community. This event, probably raised as many questions as it answered, but the response was fantastic.
ASIS UK is a long standing supported of the veterans’ mental health charity, PTSD Resolution and has raised both money and awareness of the issues around this.
We also try to influence the debate around security and in the last few weeks, ASIS UK leaders have met with The Home Office (Office of Security and Counter Terrorism), RISC (the UKs Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community) and The Security Industry Authority and will be going in to see the Cabinet Office shortly.
Delivering value to members is at the core of all we do and if you would like learn more about us please visit our web sites www.asisonline.org and www.asis.org.uk or email us at info@asis.org.uk
Mike Hurst CPP FIRP MSyI
Mike is a Director of HJA Fire & Security Recruitment and co-founder of AllSecurityEvents.com. He is the Vice Chairman of ASIS International UK Chapter and a former Director of the Security Institute. He also sits on the BSI GQ/3 Committee. Mike is an Internationally respected and recognised thought leader and influencer in the security arena
