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April 2012 Partnering for Success This past month, I met with a member in Italy and the MOU we signed with (ISC)2 came up - he was pleased that ASIS aligned itself with such a powerful association and was curious about what drove the decision-making process. My first response was member value - ASIS partners with organizations that help us deliver a high return on investment to our 38,000 members, as well as with those that share in our mission to advance security worldwide. However, the conversation got me thinking about the reasons we sign MOUs. After all, partnerships can be hard work. They require us to think and act differently, to broaden our scope and in particular, to consult and listen more widely to find areas of commonality. While reasons may vary, I have come up with four broad categories that I feel encapsulate our collaborative arrangements. Set best practices Our standards activities bring together volunteers and seek out views of persons who have an interest in the topic covered. In order to ensure broad acceptance of our standards, ASIS has at times reached out to other standards developing organizations to jointly develop industry best practices. In 2008, we partnered with the British Standards Institute (BSI), which resulted in the joint ANSI/ASIS/BSI Business Continuity Standard. This standard, which brought global experts in continuity management and contingency planning together, represents a consensus of business continuity management best practices. That collaboration provided the framework for our next joint Standard project - the ANSI/ASIS/SHRM Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention Standard, which was developed cooperatively with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The result was so successful (it quickly became our most downloaded standard!) that we are in talks to develop an investigations standard with SHRM. I'll talk more about our standards work in next month's column so...stay tuned! Bridge gaps There are times when ASIS lacks the necessary expertise. For instance, when the recession hit and budgets came under close scrutiny, it became evident that we must work even harder to change the perception of security from being seen as a cost-center to a value-add that enables business success. While ASIS has a well-deserved reputation for delivering high quality industry education, we had to go beyond our subject matter expertise to develop business curriculum that would help practitioners 'gain a seat at the table.' We partnered with two of the world's leading business schools - IE in Spain and Wharton in the United States - to develop executive education tailored specifically toward security practitioners. Now in its eighth year, the Wharton/ASIS Program for Security Executives remains the gold standard for senior security executives looking to remain at the top of their game. The IE Business School program in Madrid, Effective Management for Security Professionals, is designed for midlevel managers. In addition, we recently partnered with the University of Phoenix to offer two full tuition scholarships to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in their college of criminal justice and security. These partnerships ensure you are able to make a solid business case for your security program. Ensure continued industry growth With the increased integration of traditional security/IT security responsibilities, ASIS leaders realized that as an organization we had to broaden our focus to ensure practitioners have the skills and training to succeed in our rapidly evolving profession. Partnering with (ISC)2 provides a range of benefits for members of each organization. The colocation of their Security Congress with our Annual Seminar and Exhibits was an important first step and provided demonstrable benefits to attendees from both organizations. More importantly, we have started a dialogue that we hope will result in increased recognition of the value of our certifications, enhanced education, and a greater appreciation and cooperation between our practice areas. Support good work At times, it's important to form a partnership to help build awareness of an issue or to show support for that organization's mission and vision. Our relationship with the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as our support for groups like Wounded Warriors and the many local charitable causes that our chapters support around the world, exemplify this belief. These groups do terrific work and we are proud to lend our name and support to their causes. The cornerstone of all these relationships has been the support and dedication of our members. There are countless volunteer hours that have made all these partnerships possible - and for that, we owe our members a debt of gratitude. And, through these alliances, ASIS increases the depth and breadth of its information and offerings, broadens its scope and value, leverages its resources, and promotes greater collaboration across the security profession. Eduard J. Emde, CPP March 2012 Celebrating thirty-five years of excellence As part of my travels this past month, I visited the France chapter and attended the 3rd Middle East Security Conference & Exhibition in Dubai. It was striking how often the subject of certification came up-individuals asking about the specifics of the programs and chapter leaders setting goals for themselves and their members. It seems the value of certification is often demonstrated by those who have been successful at attaining one or more credentials. Enthusiasm, commitment, and success breed more enthusiasm and success. Therefore, I challenge security practitioners who are certified to not hold back and to spread the word about their own path to certification. I especially encourage the ASIS volunteer leaders to lead by example and to guide members towards the board certification that best suits their professional needs. Now in its 35th year, the ASIS certification program has a long and storied history. Launched at the 23rd Annual Seminar and Exhibits in 1977, the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) credential is recognized worldwide as an objective measure of an individual's experience and competency. It's why in 1998, I made the decision to sit for and earn my CPP. I wanted to validate the skills I had developed in security management. Many dedicated ASIS leaders had a hand in creating the certifications. Former ASIS President Alan J. Cross, CPP, first proposed the idea to the Board of Directors in 1972. He believed if the security practice was ever going to become a security profession, then meaningful certification credentials were necessary. It took several years to finalize the criteria but in 1977, certification by review began, and the first CPP was awarded that year to ASIS president Wayne Hall. Over time it became clear that there was a need for specialty certifications and in 2003, the Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) and Physical Security Professional (PSP) were established. Later that year, James S. Cawood, CPP, PCI, PSP, became the first member to earn all three designations and I'm pleased to report that in 2011, Kristiina Mellin, CPP, PCI, PSP, from the Sweden chapter, became the first female "trifecta" practitioner. Today, there are 383 dual-certified security professionals and 61 hold all three ASIS designations. I applaud these practitioners for dedicating the time and resources to earn their credentials and through their daily work, raise the visibility and value of ASIS certifications. I would be remiss to not point out that for more than three decades, the members of the Professional Certification Board have proven to be good custodians as well as future oriented leaders, and I offer my deepest thanks for all they have accomplished. There are many reasons to earn a board certification. Studying for the exam alone will raise your understanding of the breadth of our profession and demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning. Joining or forming a review group is a terrific way to expand your professional network. You will connect with peers that have made the same commitment and can offer some much needed support along the way. The ASIS Linkedin group and CPP Certification Study subgroups offer excellent sounding boards for practitioners when there are no local review programs available. Professional advancement is a top reason for many practitioners to earn their credentials. Year after year, the ASIS salary survey confirms that board-certified practitioners earn more than their non-certified peers. And, for those that are transitioning from the law enforcement or the military, an ASIS certification not only aids in that transition, but provides a solid foundation on which to build a private security career. We plan to mark this 35th anniversary by spotlighting many of our certified members in the months ahead, including podcasts and a timeline of significant accomplishments. All these efforts will culminate with a special ceremony at ASIS 2012 in Philadelphia. Stay tuned to www.asisonline.org for details. In closing, I hope if you meet the criteria to earn your CPP, PSP, or PCI that you take this opportunity to make the commitment now. I guarantee you will be challenged but your reward will be far greater than just the three letters after your name. By earning your board certification, you join a special group of practitioners who have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to advancing the security profession worldwide. Eduard J. Emde, CPP February 2012 Strength in our Numbers What a terrific event last month at the annual ASIS leadership meeting. It is always an excellent venue for bringing our leadership together from across the globe to reflect on our accomplishments and set a course for the New Year. Indeed, what started in 1955 with a handful of practitioners seeking to professionalize the security management field has grown into the large and very diverse professional association it is now with more than 37,000 members in 149 countries representing every discipline, function, and level in the field. While most of our membership is in the United States, our global presence has seen marked increases in recent years. Our top recruiters in the 2011 Member Get a Member program came from Nigeria and Sweden and our two fastest growing chapters were Rio de Janeiro and Toronto. Our six new chapters in 2011 were in Bahrain, Romania, Mexico, Saskatchewan, South Korea, and Ghana. ASIS certifications are clearly spreading as the global standard for professional competency. I will be attending a chapter dinner in France in February where the chairman has set a personal goal to get 15 members started in the certification process this year. And recently, all 11 members of a United Kingdom study group passed their CPP board certification. This increasing level of global acceptance of our certifications benefits us all. ASIS has made great strides in its efforts to be a truly international organization. We recognize that security challenges are not the same in every country. As such, we offer a series of global conferences, which this year will take place in New York City, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong, and are focused on issues specific to those regions in addition to common challenges. At all these conferences, the CSO Roundtable will offer education tracks tailored specifically to practitioners in the most senior security positions. There are also executive education offerings available through the IE Business School in Madrid as well as the ASIS/Wharton program in the United States. And, of course, our largest international event is the Annual Seminar and Exhibits, taking place September 10-13 in Philadelphia. In addition, our chapters, councils and standards activities offer an array of paths for members to get involved and get connected with peers in their community, as well as across the continents. There is strength in our numbers. As a member, you can reach out to colleagues worldwide through the online directory. I can attest that throughout my career fellow members have consistently stopped what they were doing, taken my calls, and stepped up to help when asked. Whether you need a consultant in New York or executive protection advice in Nairobi, your professional network is here for you - wherever you may be. ASIS is your professional home. Its reach can be felt across all corners of the globe. It's up to you to take advantage of this network. It's my hope that the months - and years ahead - exhibit the same growth, global outlook, and enthusiastic involvement of all our members. Eduard J. Emde, CPP January 2012 New Year, New Possibilities A new year can feel like a fresh start, an opportunity to try something different. In this spirit, we usually make resolutions to eat better, improve our fitness, and spend more time with family. At the same time, we should review our professional goals and how we can achieve them. There is no perfect formula, but I offer these ideas as a possible framework. Keep learning. Education does not end as soon as you have earned a diploma; make a lifelong commitment to learning. Whether you apply for a certification, devote a few days to a comprehensive professional development class, dedicate 90-minutes at your desk to participate in a webinar, or set aside time to dig into the latest issue of Security Management, you will find continuing education to be a motivating and fulfilling resolution. Help others. ASIS offers a number of ways to give back to the profession. You can help find speakers for local chapter meetings or offer to serve on an ad-hoc committee. Or you could commit to welcoming new members at chapter meetings and help them get to know what the association has to offer. Are you a seasoned practitioner? How about serving as a mentor for the Women in Security or Young Professionals initiatives? Or, perhaps you could share your expertise by writing articles for your chapter's newsletter or security and business magazines like Security Management? You might also consider contributing to one of the 29 councils or serving on a Standards and Guidelines Committee. Devote more time to networking. In addition to education, the key value of your membership lies in the worldwide security network you are part of. It is all about finding ideas, solutions, and being pointed in the right direction. Your connections can help you get a foot in the door when looking for your next job opportunity and can serve as sounding boards when in need of objective career advice. There is a mutual trust, support, and professionalism among members. I know I can turn to my ASIS network when I want a fresh perspective. Embrace innovation. The phrase "doing more with less" may be overused, but the challenge of meeting your organization's expectations with declining budgets continues to be the reality for most practitioners. ASIS signed an MOU with (ISC)2 in 2011 to help members connect and learn best practices from their IT security counterparts. Collaboration between these functions will only continue to grow as boundaries fade and businesses increasingly open themselves to the advantages and risks of interconnectedness and interdependence. This past year showed us that cyber security risks are real and their damage can be substantial. Get value from your ASIS Membership. As you contemplate your goals for 2012, I hope you will turn to ASIS and everything membership offers you. I believe with the right perspective, planning, and persistence, you can position yourself for professional success. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank 2011 President and now Chairman of the Board, Ray O'Hara, CPP, and all the volunteer leaders, for ably guiding ASIS through what has been an important year for our association - one where we made a commitment to engage our next generation of leaders and to bridge the gap between physical and IT security. The year ahead is full of new challenges and opportunities. I look forward to meeting them with you and advancing the security profession worldwide. Eduard J. Emde, CPP Read the current President's Page |
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