ASIS International and its Certification Programmes

About ASIS International

• Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programmes and materials that address broad security interests

• A global organisation of 38,000 security professionals• Organises conferences around the world

o 56th Annual Seminar & Exhibition – Dallas, October (will attract c.20,000 visitors)

o Bahrain - February 2011 o Vienna – April 2011

• World leader in professional certification programmes

• The UK Chapter is by far the largest outside of the US• Four main Members’ Events per year, plus smaller

regional events• Very successful certification programme• Award-winning Newsletter – 8,000 circulation• Chairman is Mike Alexander, Head of Business Security

& Safety, Henderson Global Investors• Patron is Baroness Harris of Richmond, a Deputy

Speaker of the House of Lords and an expert on Policing

ASIS International, UK Chapter

Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

• The de-facto internationally recognised certification in security management.

• Limited to those with at least 7 years in security, of which three must be in management.

• Currently there are 6,000 CPPs worldwide, of which 25% are outside of the US.

• About 200 hours of study required. Courses provided by ARC Training International Ltd. www.arc-tc.com

• Examination comprising about 200 questions.• Recertification every three years by evidencing

continued professional development.

1. Hydraulic defences used to protect facility entrances against hostile moving vehicles should be designed to stop a vehicle up to what weight and moving at what speed?

2. Protected areas within a perimeter should be illuminated to what minimum level?

3. There are two types of safes, burglary resistant and what else?

4. At what intervals should emergency plans be audited?

5. In mitigating explosive blasts, what is the name given to the distance between an asset and the threat?

6. When specifying lighting for a fog prone area, which is the better option: Sodium Vapour or Mercury Vapour?

Typical CPP Questions

The Rt. Hon. Bruce George MP addressed newly ASIS certified professionals as a “corps d’élite”, but challenged those in the security industry, particularly at management and consultant level, who continue to shelter behind the curtain of the “competent amateur”. He warned that “until qualification is the norm, rather than the exception, we would continue to be viewed at best as “semi-professional”.

Baroness Ruth Henig, Chair of the SIA, likened CPPs and PSPs to “shining beacons of light across the landscape of private security”.

Individuals certified in over 70 countries and over 3,500 companies throughout the world employ certified individuals.

About ASIS Professional Certification

• “100% of American corporations recognise that a CPP is a distinct advantage... we would say that we manage several opportunities a month where the CPP would be a distinct advantage. As a percentage of vacancies just for the corporate sector that is 20% of vacancies handled.”  Peter French, Chief Executive SSR Personnel

• “We are often asked for CPP qualified candidates, mostly from US companies.” Chris Meager, Security Management Resources Ltd

• “CPP is the only security management qualification I have ever seen specified in a job description.” Mike Hurst, HJA Fire and Security Recruitment

Career Prospects

• c.150 CPPs and PSPs employed in the UK in a range of sectors, including:

– Major financial institutions – 14– Oil and Gas - 7– Major Industrial – 17– Pharmaceutical – 8– UK Government sector – 12– Security Services – 10– International Business Services - 11

ASIS Certificants in UK

Physical Security Professional (PSP)

• The only qualification targeted at security professionals whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys; design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures, and people; or install, operate, and maintain those systems.

• Limited to those with at least 5 years in security.• Over 700 PSP-certified professionals worldwide.• About 200 hours of study required. Courses provided by

ARC Training International Ltd. www.arc-tc.com• Examination comprising about 120 questions.• Recertification every three years by evidencing continued

professional development.

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

• A professional certification especially for those who conduct investigations.

• Limited to those with at least 5 years’ experience of investigations, of which 2 should be in case management.

• Over 200 PCI-certified investigators worldwide.• About 200 hours of study required. Courses provided by

ARC Training International Ltd. www.arc-tc.com• Examination comprising about 120 questions.• Recertification every three years by evidencing

continued professional development.

1. Be prepared to study hard for several months.2. Check eligibility & then submit application form.3. Obtain the recommended reading resources.4. Select a study means, for example private study, online

review or CD, or a Chapter-sponsored study programme (recommended) www.arc-tc.com.

5. Sit the exam at your local computer-based testing centre.

6. Recertify every three years by evidencing continued continuing professional development, such as attending this conference.

The Process

Mike HurstVice Chairman – Strategy, ASIS UK Chapter

mike@hja.co.uk+44 (0)7957 543128

www.asisonline.orgwww.asis.org.uk

IFSEC 2010 Stand G55

Contact details