Charles Caleb Colton 1780 – 1832, once said: “There are two ways of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter”.
There is no industry I know where that is more relevant. The Security Industry is full of selfless, innovative and brave people, but it also has its fair share of egoists, dismissing any idea that is not their own. So many self- proclaimed specialists, professionals and experts who base their claims on shallow or historic experience. All of this gives the security sector a bad reputation amongst those that buy our services. Only those that perform admirably, with honesty and selflessness reinforce our reputation as a valuable service.
I have the privilege to work alongside true professionals in disciplines that stretch from Cyber and Engineering, Manned Security Services and Close Protection to Resilience and Business Continuity Management. I see the collaborations that are making a difference in all sectors, most of which is known by many, but only within their employed sector and certainly not known by the general population. I am lucky to be in a role that is not tied to one sector, The Security Institute embraces all disciplines, encourages Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and offers the peer reviewed acceptance that Charles Colton spoke of over 200 years ago. This gives me a pretty unique perspective of our industry.
The security Industry is very similar in composition to the Engineering sector. They have roles from software engineering in IT to Civil Engineering in National infrastructure. These jobs are so different but aim to achieve the same thing; innovation for the advancement of our capabilities as a species. We have a vast diversity of roles all under the banner “Security”. A Cyber security penetration tester is a world away from a supply chain security officer but essentially their aim is the same, outsmarting criminals and protecting assets and people. My Friend and a member of the Security Institute, Rich Diston (physical security professional turned cyber professional) described this yesterday with clarity, “There is no Cyber security or protective security, there is only security”. He is right. Like engineering, the roles may be different, but the aim is the same.
I have a firm belief though, that some disciplines of security are more recognisable than others and Frontline Security is the shop window for all security disciplines. The face of security that the public sees is uniformed and Hi Vis! It is therefore imperative that the conduct and training invested in this vital employment area is substantial. Security Officers all over the country represent the entire industry. Their professional conduct reflects all the great work that is not seen in other sectors. However, their failures tarnish us all with the same brush.
I am heavily invested in promoting the manned guarding sector and sit on the SIA’s Security Industry Skills and Qualifications Review board as well as the Licence Linked qualifications working group. I want the Security Officer to be viewed as a professional adding value to the public. This requires investment in training and standards. Promotion of best practice demonstrating value to the public and buyers of security services. Difficult as that may be, we owe it to ourselves to persevere.
I welcome TPSO as a tool to facilitate that CPD through collaboration and sharing best practice. Our aim is the same, I urge all Professional Security Officers and the companies that employ them to get on board and utilise this new and innovative publication to showcase the best of your people and their work.
If you have any constructive or innovative ideas that I can present to the SIA at this crucial time, drop me a line: rick@security-institute.org
About Rick Mounfield MSc CSyP FSyI
One of only 130 Security Specialists in the UK to be awarded the highest status of Chartered Security Professional (CsyP), Rick was admitted to the register in recognition of his strategic and operational capability in Physical Security and Close Protection risk management.
A charismatic and internationally recognised security industry thought leader, Rick is the dynamic new CEO of the UK Security Institute, as well as being a leading figure on many key UK industry committees, looking to steer Security towards a brighter future. An enthusiastic supporter of the TPSO magazine, Rick has an unmatched strategic perspective of the UK Security Industry, and has become
THE voice, for extensive industry improvement and restructuring, in the 21st century.
https://security-institute.org/
