ASIS set for “rigorous review” of certification

In line with its responsibility to act as a leading voice in the field of security management, ASIS International is poised to carry out a thorough appraisal of its current certification programme by applying for accreditation from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The Association as a whole – and its certification programme – will also be assessed and audited by ANSI, the United States representative.

ISO and IEC represent committees comprised of over 22 countries who develop standards to address the requirements for organisations and other certifying bodies offering certification programmes. They work to ensure the exchange of quality training in a consistent, reliable, standardised and comparable manner. Their aim is to protect the public – hence the requirement for undergoing adherence to stringent regulations.

The demand for – and exchange of – security knowledge and procedures is an important issue. The flow of information, the need for quality training programmes and the growth of Government trade agreements are but a few additional reasons as to why this is an important step for ASIS as a body.

Speaking about the news, SSR Personnel’s managing director Peter French CPP (pictured, left) told SMT: “ASIS International must meet companies’ needs for knowledgeable, educated security professionals. This stringent compliance will raise the Association's ranking still further towards a global acceptance.”

• Ever wanted to test your knowledge of ASIS’ Certified Protection Professional (CPP) examination content? Now you can find out how well you measure up by answering some CPP sample test questions. Simply log on to the ASIS International web site (which can be found at: www.asisonline.org/certification/cpp) The questions cover a wide range of topics, from asset protection through to physical security.

Nearly 10,000 professionals have attained the CPP qualification to date, demonstrating their competencies in the realm of security solutions and the adoption of Best Business Practice.

• The ASIS International Foundation has announced that Professor Martin Gill – director of research organisation PRCI and a member of SMT’s Editorial Advisory Board – has accepted the newly-created position of chair of its Council.

The Council was established to oversee those projects the Foundation undertakes in studying and expanding upon the security industry’s ‘Body of Knowledge’. This strategic approach is aimed squarely at returning the Foundation to its original mission of identifying and realising cutting-edge research in security. To this end, Professor Gill will be tasked with establishing a research agenda to proactively direct independent studies on ‘what works’ in the industry.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Gill told SMT: “It is absolutely essential for the security world to recognise that research simply has to be higher up the agenda. The Research Council will help this process by realising study findings that are meaningful, and which can feed into a more sophisticated education and training programme.”

• At the 4th ASIS International European Security Conference, which was held in Copenhagen on 20th April, the organisation’s first European Leadership Award was presented to David Burrill OBE (head of group security at British American Tobacco) by ASIS president Dan Consalvo. The award recognises David’s vast contribution to the security profession in Europe.

David has been a professional international intelligence and security operator/manager for over 40 years. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and the Open University, David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and TSI.