Certification Profile: Ana Santos, CPP

Ana Santos, CPP, did not get the first security job she applied for—in fact, her résumé was never even considered. Despite this, Santos ended up starting a position in the industry just a few months later, and it has been her lifelong passion ever since.

When Santos was 20 years old, she was looking to start her professional career. Her cousin, who worked at logistics firm FreightWatch, knew of an available position in Mexico and forwarded Santos’s resume to the general manager. Unfortunately, the available position was for a more senior operations manager role, which the early career Santos did not have the experience to fill. Even so, the general manager kept her résumé on file, and six months later a security sales position opened. Santos applied for and got the job, kicking off a 15-year long career in security.

“From day one, I fell in love with the industry,” Santos says. “Every single day presents a new challenge, a new problem to solve, and a new opportunity to make a difference.”

While working at FreightWatch, Santos’s manager told her about ASIS International. That recommendation sparked her interest, and Santos soon began attending the monthly ASIS Mexico City chapter breakfast meetings.

At ASIS, Santos found a community of security professionals who shared her passion for security and helped her hone her skills in the industry. She also gained access to a variety of resources that allowed her to continue to advance her career and further her trade knowledge.

“ASIS has allowed me to connect with industry leaders, subject matter experts, and peers from all over the world,” Santos says. “ASIS has also been instrumental in my continuous learning through its extensive library of literature, guidance, and online resources, keeping me updated on the latest security trends and best practices.”

As she continued to engage with the chapter, Santos joined the Supply Chain Committee, participating in their regular meetings. Because of her active involvement, Santos was asked to lead the committee at the end of her first year. That was Santos's first volunteer opportunity with ASIS, but from there she has continued to grow as a volunteer within the ASIS community.

From day one, I fell in love with the industry. Every single day presents a new challenge, a new problem to solve, and a new opportunity to make a difference.

A few years after joining ASIS, Santos accepted a new position as a security manager at BASF, a multinational chemical company. In her new role, Santos wanted to push herself to be the best she could be.

“I didn’t want to just be good at my job—I wanted to be the best,” Santos says. “That meant constantly learning, improving, and earning the credibility that would allow me to make a real impact.”

With the goal of advancing both in her career and her industry knowledge, Santos decided to pursue her Certified Protection Professional (CPP®) certification. Santos knew both the experience she gained and the affirmation of her skills the CPP provided could help improve her career.

“I recognized that certification would open many doors,” Santos says. “And it did—after five years at BASF Mexicana, I was transferred to BASF North America. I am certain that earning my CPP certification played a significant role in that opportunity.”

Santos now works as the corporate security manager and travel security manager for North America at BASF.

Santos has continued to be an active ASIS volunteer, serving on the ASIS Mexico City Chapter board for 10 years in various capacities including the Supply Chain Committee Leader, Secretary, and Women in Security Community Leader.

“The best part has been mentoring and helping others grow,” Santos says. “Giving back to the security community and elevating industry standards is something I deeply believe in.”

Through ASIS, Santos also got the opportunity to attend IE Business School Executive Education. In 2023, she applied for and received an ASIS Foundation scholarship to the Effective Management for Security Professionals program in Madrid, Spain.

Santos also appreciates that her membership provides her access to ASIS standards and online courses, which provide her with the latest insights into security best practices.

“Anyone who fully engages with ASIS will find that the opportunities for growth and learning are limitless,” Santos says.