Security Management Qualifications?

Absolutely true, IT / Info Sec are for my perspective going to be the biggest challenge. A single course is going to cover nothing but the basics and hopefully allow me to understand the essence of what the IT / Info Sec guys are actually talking about in their (to my ears) incoherent ramblings. I think that this is really the key area where being able to turn a hand at it is insufficient if engaged on, or putting yourself forward for such a task. I strongly suspect (and aim) that my personal competence will extend no further than being able to recognise elementary problems and hopefully being able to recognise the skills base needed by the person I bring in to fix it.


I have actually thought a lot over the last few days (having started the Info Sec book for the CPP) as to why I find it hard to stay awake reading it and have come up with the following excuses:

1. I am not motivated enough

2. The subject does not give in anyway a “warm & fuzzy". I put this down to the intangibility of it, an AR-15, a B6 Merc, Locks, safes, Kevlar & blast protection are visible, reassuring and I can both touch them and imagine the application in my minds eye.

3. Trying to see a firewall in my minds eye produces the same effect as watching the Matrix at triple speed. (I know - theoretically the same etc) but for me it is just not the same. Basically a real challenge for my reliance on and comfort with tangible products and the warmth of cold hard metal. In my pea brain a firewall prevents flame spreading for a period of time.

4. I posses absolute no prior experience or relevant skill that makes the task of understanding any easier and their lies the key, I recall my fathers perplexed look at the video recorder 25 odd years ago when setting the time was akin to putting Armstrong on the moon. The whole system just did not make sense and the brain found it hard to accept the processes required to do it - I have become that man..



On a related note I watched my 12 yr old son recreate the video moment of my youth yesterday when he connected his PS3 to the wireless network at home (how did he know what a PUK code was?), set-up Bluetooth partnerships for a headset and proceeded to play an online game with some Japanese kids (I think judging from the accents in his headset - they were talking!) and then displaying a fine understanding of fire & manoeuvre, equipment control, defensive positioning, threat identification and shooting skills whilst wiping out the bad guys. I give you the security professional of tomorrow.


I just hope that I can get to retirement before the likes of my own offspring force me into the abyss - Darwin was definitely onto something with the evolution stuff....




 
Last edited by a moderator:
Great posts Rosie and all intelligent and informative.

I am amazed daily at the quality and depth of the information and advice given on this forum it's like having instant access to a virtual oracle of close protection.

Regards

Ed
 
Roadhog said:
Which one, security qualifications or takeway food.... or maybe both?



I suspect in my case Roadhog either, or mate.

As a former corporate member of the 'Institute for Leadership and Management' I have a grasp on the UK management scene but I find another perspective such as, the US of A quite interesting.

I also consider that many of the clients in HE even during my days, were or continue to be from the USA?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I have only just come across this part of the website (I got stuck in the CPO area and never expanded from there!), but as a number of posters have mentioned, the level of input (and insight) on the forum is truly impressive.

I have only very limited knowledge concerning to how the other systems work, but I completed the MSc in Security and Risk Management from Leicester in 2006, and have been a visiting lecturer and dissertation supervisor on that programme since then.

The programme that you choose will obviously be influenced by what you are looking to achieve, but if you see your role as generally involving corporate management skills, and certainly if you see the qualification that you are going after as part of a long-term strategy for advancement, then I think that the MSc (from anywhere, though Leicester is still recognised as one of the top places to do it) would be a foundation that you can really build a career on.

One of the advantages of the MSc is that right from the start, the structure of the programme (one essay per module every three months, followed by 20,000 word dissertation) allows you to concentrate on the areas that are of interest to you and that will be of use to you in the future. So you might concentrate on essays that have to do with terrorism awareness rather than preventing grafitti in urban areas, or you might be more interested in CCTV and crime displacement technologies rather than classical risk management statistical analysis. A lot of people who already have a background in the industry use those modules to develop their own lectures / specific skills sets, and the likelihood is that you wil be able to live off them for many years to come.

There is no question that for the corporate security manager of the 2020's (and the frightening thing is that is only twelve years away, when many people on this forum will be entering their professional peak!!), the MSc will be the equivalent of decent computer skills now, in that it is likely to be considered the minimum requirement for a certain level of corporate management, and those without it might well find that they will find the lack of it working against them.

As well as that, if you are looking to create a specific niche for yourself, then the MSc gives you real credibility across the world. I have built upon my own background in Japan to have developed a consultancy in Tokyo based almost entirely on the MSc, and it has allowed me to create a 'brand' and differentiate myself from all potential competiotors who do not have that.

Obviously there are many areas where the other qualifications will be of equal or even greater value, but if you are looking to work in the corporate or consultancy world, then I personally would give my vote to the MSc.

Best regards, and good luck with the journey....

David Meido
 
I'm about to undertake a managemnet course in Sept. Thanks to all who have taken the time to pass on valuable info on this subjuct. It's made my choice in picking the right course a lot easier. Thanks again.
 
Had previous advice and have also heard the same views echoed by a few different people reference the anubis course. All seemed to rate it as a very good course, as stated in earllier posts.
 
Right, I'm off to the Anubis briefing day in a few hours to learn more about their CSC course; at the moment I'm torn between this and the "academic" route of a Post Grad Cert in Risk/Sec Mgt, leading to an MSc, although either way I'd like to studdy towards the MSc in the future, time and funds permiting!

Any suggestions on which as a stand alone qual is more highly regarded, CSC or P.G.Cert? If it was your £4k.......?

I already have professional general business Management quals through the Chartered Institute.

My train of thought is to now concentrate on corporate security/consultancy and as has also been mentioned then look for a second string to the bow, poss IT sec, although reading this thread has brought HSE into the picture, something I had not though of before.

What are the best/most recognised directions for these routes? UK wise.

Thanks in advance.
 
Rupert

Can you post your findings pn here for the masses please. I for one would be interested as Im sure would others.

Also mate, can you say what business quals you have. Im thinking that I need to improve my busines acumen so would be very interested. Pm me if you prefer.

Thanks-much appreciated.
 
Rupert,

Aftre reading your thread which was posted last week I enquired about P.G.Cert and got all the information from them. I have decided to enroll my self on the course as monetary its less than £1k and 12months to complete via distance learning which is great.

I am submitting my forms on Monday/Tuesday.

Thank you for putting that info on the forum.

DH
 
Rosie, I must to say that you posted probably the best and most useful ideas how to develop a manager security career...also for an italian wanting to move up the ladder in the south europe market.
I really appreciate. Thank you very much. Iwas looking for some useful suggestions but didn't find until today
Thanks again
If you have someting more could you please email me? max_breads@hotmail.it
Massimino
 
Rupert, just come back from finishing Anubis's CSC module 1. I recomend it, hard work, but well put together. The team down there are very helpfull and professional! If corporate consultation is what your after then look into this course!
 
Thanks for the comments guys; the Anubis set up is mind blowing; 200%. I've worked in businesses large and small, private to PLC's and the quality, set-up, openess and level of information was very very refreshing. The venue is to die for, I could move in and live there!

The level the CSC is aimed at no doubt will involve some very tough work but is set to become a market leading qualification; as well as being accredited by Skills for Security and Bucks New Uni (the work is marked by the Uni) it has also received accreditation this week from the Institute of Risk Management, which is an added bonus.

Tjhe course is a mix of taught learning and hands on; Module 1 is a 10 day section based at their training centre, Mon-Fri with weekend off (but with home-work) and an exam at the end of the second week. Module 2 is them a set of 4 assignments, each of 3,000 words on topics such as Risk Assesments, Country Reports, Business Continuity etc and Module 3 is as Mod 1 with an exam in the end.

Anubis are looking to cycle their training courses next year so they will run concurently; there are no more than 12 on the CSC course at any one time.

Due to the level of this course (level 5 is on the cusp, just bellow a degree) the course is designed to take about 9 months, with your assignments, bot can in extreme circumstances be done in 6-9 months, work levels perimting. There is a cut-off of 2 years. Not finished after 2 years, start again.. Also of note, it is possible to re take any of the exams if you fail them; also it IS now possible to do Module 3 whilst doing Module 2, but the course will not be completed/validated untill all assignments are marked and exams passed.

SPOMAN was also at the seminar, and it was good to meet him; I'm sure he'll give you his own opinions, but from talking we were both impressed.

The level of openess and professionalism was mind blowing. The real deal, with staff who are also; they don't hide behind the mystical "its classefied" past, very experianced guys.

Anyone want any specific answers just PM or ask and I'll answer.

Will I do the course? YES; as soon as I can raise therest of the funds, without a doubs.

PaulSmith; As for my mgt quals; I have a Level 4 Cert in Management and a Post Grad Cert in Management (a TA commission, if it holds any sway!!!!!!) and am a member of the Chartered Management Institute. The chartered institute are good (they are "Chartered" which holds cred) and for service leavers you can transfer skills and quals, esp senior NCO's and officers. More recognised, being of Chartered status, than the ILM.

What opened my eyes to "business" in a huge way was spending 3 years running my own businesses; as an MD of a small business with a hand full (50 odd) staff you learn, and devolp skills that no course can tach you; but a good basic generic business managent course will be of good value; N.E.B.S (now part of the ILM - but CMI are a more recognised professional body) are good courses that are recognised world wide.
 
Last edited:
By the way, for all you forces guys out there, ILM have lost the contract for service accreditation and it has been awarded to CMI. There are 2 awards that servicemen/women can go for now with CMI and they are the Level 3 certificate in 1st line management and the level 5 in Professional Management studies. These are both funded by the MOD as I found out after the meeting last week. Dont forget the Senior Awards as mentioned in a previous thread. They are not an award as such but hold good sway with many blue chip companies and the reputation is growing. To attain the Licentiateship (LCGI) I just had to send off service certificate copies to prove management experience and £55, much cheaper than the civilian price of £109. On another note....Anubis..,..very impressed like Rupert on their set up in Hereford. They are open and welcome research into their backgrounds and they even tell you shop around and check out other training providers. The fact that the CSC course is accredited by a university at level 5, Skills for Security and the Institute of Risk Management says a lot. I think this qualification will have a lot of clout within the security industry in the near future and will be a benchmark for all Consultant courses when licensing comes to this particular security role. It is expensive but you get practical hands on experience in the consultancy environment with some taxing projects to be completed for module 2. Give it time and this course will be recognised outside of the UK placing it amongst the other Security Management qualifications mentioned within these threads.
 
If your still serving check 'skills for security' they are the SIA approved company which replaced SITO also what type of security management do you want to get into theres a lot of rogue firms around so research hard and start making your contacts now
 
gary352 said:
If your still serving check 'skills for security' they are the SIA approved company which replaced SITO also what type of security management do you want to get into theres a lot of rogue firms around so research hard and start making your contacts now
Click to expand...

Skills for Security is the national councill/organisation that sets and approves training standards within the security sector; ALL reputable courses aught to be ok'd by them.

An interesting poit, is that of the 80odd CP training providers in the UK only 2 are accredited/approved by these guys! Says enough in my eyes, Anubis are one of them.
 
Ok, had comms with Anubis today; booked myself on the CSC for this November......fingers crossed. More than happy to share my thoughts on Module 1 once I've got it under my belt.
 
Back
Top