Resolve To Learn

Jan 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Michael Fickes

Professional development may be more important than ever for today's security directors, says John Gehrlein, certified protection professional (CPP) and president of the ASIS Professional Certification Board. “Over time, skills get stale, and issues change,” he says. “Just think about how physical security technology has changed in the last five years from hard-wired access control systems communicating over dial-up modems to network- based systems.”

Video surveillance technology has also changed, Gehrlein adds. It has moved from tape to digital network technology. Staying current with technical and other changes is part of professional development responsibilities of a security director.

Professional development also involves studying recent developments and issues for the purpose of altering or at least fine-tuning the policies and procedures that govern a security department.

Professionals from all fields — doctors, lawyers, engineers and computer programmers — set aside some period of time at the beginning of every year to evaluate what changed last year as well as what fundamentals need reviewing. They will also create a professional development plan designed to put an individual or a department back on top of the issues.

Professional development involves informal and formal educational activities that enhance professional skills. It might be as informal as reading newspapers or questioning other security directors about their policies and procedures. It might be as formal as studying for certification tests or taking courses offered by security associations such as ASIS or at the local community college. In the best of all worlds, professional development combines informal and formal activities in ways that will ensure that a security department possesses the skills necessary to protecting a company's people and property in a changing world.

From newspapers to networking

These days, virtually every daily newspaper runs monthly articles about some aspect of security. With offices in Washington, D.C., the Washington Post, available free online, reports closely on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Last Dec. 22 and 23, the Post ran a lengthy examination of the bureaucratic in-fighting at DHS that may have led to the Department's poor performance during Hurricane's Katrina and Rita. The discussion of organizational missteps makes good professional development reading for any security director charged with organizing a department.

Networking with or talking to other security directors can also drive professional development. In fact, it is one of Gehrlein's favorite professional development methods. “I used to be a security manager for a cellular phone company in the Philadelphia area,” he recalls. “I was new to the business and was wrestling with wireless industry issues. Finally, I looked up the name and number of the security director with a large wireless phone company. I called, introduced myself, explained I had found his name in the ASIS directory and asked my questions. Over the years, I have asked for and received advice about issues from many security directors. Networking is an extremely valuable professional development tool.”

Certifications and courses

The ASIS Web site describes professional certification as a way for security professionals to demonstrate advanced knowledge in security management, to gain instant credibility, to advance a career and to boost earnings potential. ASIS offers three certifications for security professionals:

Certified Protection Professional (CPP): Individuals with primary responsibilities in security management who have demonstrated advanced knowledge in security solutions and best business practices may apply to take a CPP examination. Candidates for the exam must have nine years of experience in security, with at least three years in management. A bachelors degree or higher can reduce the overall experience requirement from nine to seven years.

Physical Security Professional (PSP): Individuals responsible for conducting physical security surveys, designing, installing, operating or maintaining integrated security systems, may apply to take a PSP examination. Candidates, for the example, must have five years of experience in the physical security field and a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI): This is a technical designation awarded to individuals experienced, knowledgeable and competent in conducting investigations. Candidates for this exam must have five years of investigations experience with at least two years in case management and a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Those who pass the exams earn the right to use the CPP, PSP or PCI designation.

The ASIS certification system also promotes professional development by requiring those who earn certifications to recertify. “A CPP has to recertify every three years,” Gehrlein says. “To maintain your certification, you have to stay current in your field, and that's professional development.”

ASIS offers review courses for those planning to take the industry certification or recertification exams.

In addition, the association runs seminars during its annual conventions and courses throughout the year. Seminar subjects for 2006 include assets protection, biometrics, crisis management, emerging trends, facility security design, interview and interrogation techniques, investigations, measuring security, physical security and workplace violence.

The 2006 schedule includes 44 certification review courses, online courses and regular courses. Costs range from $250 to $985, plus transportation and lodging.

“Another way to find seminars and courses is to keep up with the activities of local and neighboring ASIS chapters,” Gehrlein adds. “In our Pittsburgh chapter, for example, we did a seminar this year on emerging trends and spent a lot of time talking about the issue of IT and physical security convergence. These chapter-sponsored courses are available all over the country.”

Gehrlein also advises taking appropriate continuing education courses offered by local community colleges, four-year colleges and universities.

However, Gehrlein says that a good manager should know his or her staff and its strengths and weaknesses. “In my view one of my responsibilities to the people that work for me is to help them develop their skills,” he says. “If someone is weak in investigative skills, it's my job to help. If I cannot provide this kind of training directly, I will seek out educational opportunities and recommend courses.”

---

SHARE YOUR STORY…

This page offers an opportunity for readers to share management lessons they have learned and to provide other helpful information to their peers in the industry. To offer suggestions, or to contribute to this page, contact Larry Anderson at (770) 618-0118 or e-mail larry.anderson@penton.com

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

This month in Access Control

• Opening Up About Door Closers
• An Enterprise Approach
• The Framework For Open Systems
• On A Higher Plane
• More from April's issue