Certification Profile: Dimitar Atanasov, APP
Dimitar Atanasov, APP, had planned to become a police officer. However, early in his studies he came across an article from Bulgarian Association “Corporate Security” (BACS) outlining the private security industry in Bulgaria, sparking Atanasov’s interest in the field. After looking into the opportunities provided by security, he decided to pursue a career in the field.
Atanasov started his security career as a security operator for VIP Security Ltd., one of the largest security companies in Bulgaria. Atanasov was passionate about security because it provided an avenue for him to protect those around him.
“I have always wanted to create a safer environment for my family, friends, and community,” Atanasov says.
Atanasov continued to grow as a security professional and advance his knowledge of the industry, working as a diplomatic security officer for the U.S. Department of State and a security operations center manager for Enigma Guard.
Four years ago, Atanasov joined ASIS International, looking for more resources to increase his security knowledge, keep on top of industry trends, and grow his professional network. Shortly after joining ASIS, Atanasov became a regional security expert for DSK Bank, one of Bulgaria’s largest banks.
Recently, Atanasov decided to pursue the Associate Protection Professional (APP®) certification. Atanasov hoped to validate his security expertise both to himself and to the industry at large.
“I wanted to prove to myself and others that I am a good security professional and expert in the field,” Atanasov says.
Since earning his APP, Atanasov has been promoted and seen more activity on his LinkedIn account. In his position at DSK, Atanasov is responsible for physical security, investigations, fraud prevention, anti-money-laundering (AML), open-source intelligence (OSINT), and more.
Atanasov is involved with the local ASIS chapter, based in Romania. He serves in chapter leadership, is the NextGen community liaison, and is also a member of the ASIS Banking and Financial Services Community.
Being an ASIS member has allowed Atanasov to stay at the top of his game as a security professional, using the many webinars and resources available to members.
“Being an ASIS member and having APP certification allows me to compete with security professionals with much more experience for different job opportunities,” Atanasov says. “I have confidence that I am a true security expert in the industry.”
Emily Callahan is a communications specialist for ASIS International. Connect with her on LinkedIn here.
