Chartered Security Professionals

At the Master's Installation luncheon held on Tuesday, 7 June 2011 at Drapers' Hall, the outgoing Master, Don Randall MBE, announced that the first ten Registrants have been admitted to the new Register of Chartered Security Professionals.

Twelve months ago as the incoming Master, Don spoke of the challenge that lay ahead in researching and developing a Register.  The Register itself endorses the main aim of the Company, which is:

“to promote, support and encourage standards of excellence, integrity and honourable practice in conducting the profession of security practitioners and to aid societies and other organizations connected to such profession.”

Recognising the Security Institute’s experience in developing and refining its own membership validation process, in 2010 the Company agreed to partner with the Institute in developing the chartered professional competencies, management controls and processes, and for the Institute to be the first licensee permitted to admit Registrants into the Register. This development was funded jointly between the Company, the Institute and the City of London Crime Prevention Association, who remain a key supporter of the Register in its inaugural year.

Certificates of admittance were presented to the Registrants in attendance at the lunch, namely: Bill Wyllie, Mark Lindsay, Mike Bluestone, David Gill, Chris Northy-Baker, Emma Shaw, Mike O’Neill and Kevin Blythe. Registrants unable to attend were Angus Darroch-Warren and Jerry Woods.  A member of the Register (the Registrant), known as a Chartered Security Professional, uses CSyP as a post nominal.  

 Immediate Past Master Don Randall, Past Master Peter French, Court Assistant Roy Penrose and Di Thomas from the Security Institute with the recipients

After receiving his certificate, Mike Bluestone CSyP and Chairman of the Security Institute, said:

 “This is a ground breaking day not just for security professionals, but also for the United Kingdom. At long last we have a Chartered Security qualification that places security practitioners on a par with other recognised professions. I am immensely proud of the fantastic cooperation that has taken place over many months between the Security Institute and the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. Our two organisations have come together for the betterment of professional security practice in our country, and I congratulate my fellow Registrants on attaining their hard earned CSyP status.”

The incoming Master, Nigel Churton MBE, is also Company Secretary of the Security Institute, and served on its Board of Directors for many years. He is fully supportive of the Register and the recognition of professionalism in the security sector. 

Chartered Security Professionals’ Registration Authority 

In establishing the Register, a committee has been established to set and maintain the standards of professional competence required, and to provide an over-arching management role of all elements of the Register. The chairman of the Chartered Security Professionals’ Registration Authority (CSPRA) is Lord Carlile of Berriew, QC, who is committed to the enhanced level of professionalism the new Register will bring to the sector. He says:

"I am delighted that we have produced a registration process as good as any for other professions. Our Chartered security professionals can truly be regarded as members of a quality and regulated body. This is the beginning of a major new organisation, in which industry and the wider public can have full confidence"

Routes to Application

Entry to the Register is based on applicants demonstrating achievement of five core competencies – weighted in favour of security knowledge and application skills, but also including leadership, communication and professional commitment. Those applying must be of undisputed integrity and have a good level of expertise, operating at a strategic level, or the senior end of operational level, of security practice. Admittance to the Register demonstrates to clients, employers, peers and the public an ability to perform at a high standard, and a commitment to continuing professional development.

Those joining the Register of Chartered Security Professionals have to demonstrate competence, and can do this via achievement of qualifications and/or experience.

 Under the Standard pathway, applicants must hold a bachelors or a masters degree in a security-related discipline (or an equivalent qualification recognised by CSPRA) OR a bachelors or a masters degree in any subject PLUS a security-related vocational qualification such as the Security Institute’s Diploma in Security Management or the ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP). They must also have a minimum of five years’operational security experience with at least two years at the Chartered competence level.

For applicants without security qualifications, the Individual pathway applies. For this applicants must have ten years operational security experience, with the last five years at the Chartered competence level. In addition, applicants are asked to complete a portfolio (between 4,000 - 5,000 words) on a subject chosen to compliment their application.

Every applicant attends an interview with two assessors, and is required to give a presentation to demonstrate their competencies. Recommendations from the interview combined with references and vetting checks result in a recommendation for admittance to the Register.

Once admitted, all Registrants are required to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) annually. Registrants are also obliged to act with integrity and in the public interest, according to a defined code of conduct, and are subject to  professional disciplinary code.

Further details on the Register, including the application form, can be found at www.csyp-register.org