Standards and Guidelines

Standards and Guidelines

As the preeminent organization for security professionals worldwide, ASIS has an important role to play in helping the private sector secure its business and critical infrastructure, whether from natural disaster, accidents or planned actions, such as terrorist attacks, vandalism, etc. ASIS had previously chosen not to promulgate guidelines and standards, but world events have brought to the forefront the need for a professional security organization to spearhead an initiative to create security advisory provisions. By addressing specific concerns and issues inherent to the security industry, security guidelines and standards will better serve the needs of security professionals by increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security practices and solutions, as well as enhancing the professionalism of the industry.

ASIS Standards Development Procedures

ASIS International is an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer (SDO). The procedures for developing American National Standards can be viewed here (pdf), with flow charts of the development and appeals processes available here (pdf).

Societal Security Management System Standards

The document Societal Security Management System Standards (pdf) describes international standardization efforts underway and ASIS International's part in developing the Societal Security discipline family of standards.

SAFETY Act Designation

The Guidelines Program of ASIS International has received a Designation award under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technology Act of 2002 (the SAFETY Act) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Specifically, the SAFETY Act designation limits ASIS' liability for acts arising out of the use of the guidelines in connection with an act of terrorism and precludes claims of third party damages against organizations using the guidelines as a means to prevent or limit the scope of terrorist acts.

ASIS Press Releases

March 24, 2009: ASIS International Releases Organizational Resilience Standard

March 4, 2009: ASIS International and Society for Human Resource Management Announce Joint Development of Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention American National Standard

January 29, 2009: Joint ASIS International/British Standards Institution Committee for New U.S. Business Continuity Management Standard Completes Initial Meeting

November 6, 2008: ASIS Private Security Officer Selection and Training Guideline Open for Second Public Comment Period

October 15, 2008: ASIS International and Business Continuity Professionals Launch Development of Business Continuity Management American National Standard

July 31, 2008: ASIS International Announces Draft Guideline for Facilities Physical Security Measures

July 30, 2008: ASIS International Moves Forward on Two American National Standards Projects

June 26, 2008: ASIS International Issues Second Edition of Threat Advisory System Response Guideline

June 24, 2008: ASIS International Issues Second Edition of Chief Security Officer Guideline

February 26, 2008: Preemployment Background Screening Guideline has 45-Day Comment Period

February 6, 2008: ASIS International Joins Other Professional Organizations to Establish a Framework for Voluntary Preparedness

October 24, 2007: ASIS International Supports Global Efforts in ISO Standardization

May 29, 2007: ASIS International Granted ISO Liaison Status

For specific questions about ASIS International Standards and Guidelines, please contact: guidelines@asisonline.org.