This document provides an overview of a presentation that mapped out career pathways in physical security. It introduces the presenters and moderators, who conducted an in-depth research study on careers in security. The presentation discusses the various opportunities and job titles that exist at different levels (professional, manager, executive) for both practitioners and suppliers. It also outlines the common traits, competencies, responsibilities, and challenges for professionals at each level. Resources like certifications and the ASIS/SIA career pathways guide are recommended for continued career growth.

1. Title Goes Here
Speaker Name
Title
Goes Here
Mapping
Your Career
in Physical
Security

2. Today’s Presenters:
• Angela Osborne, PCI, Guidepost Solutions
• Scott Dunn, AXIS Communications
• Chris Staniforth, ALC Consulting
Moderator:
• Geoff Kohl, Sr. Director of Marketing, Security
Industry Association (SIA)
2
Today’s Presenters

3. The top talent, leaders, and companies
in security ran an in-depth research
study to “map” a career in security.

4. ASIS/SIA Career Pathways Task Force
Ms. Kathy Lavinder
Security & Investigative
Placement
Bethesda, MD USA
Mr. Donald E. Knox, CPP
Sears Holdings Management
Corporation
Peoria, IL USA
Mr. Bernard D. Greenawalt,
CPP
Securitas Security Svcs USA
Chicago, IL USA
Mr. Michael Brzozowski, CPP,
PSP
Symcor
Toronto, ON CANADA
Mr. Michael S. D'Angelo, CPP
Secure Direction Consulting
LLC
Miami, FL USA
Mr. Malcolm C. Smith, CPP
Qatar Museums Authority
Doha, QATAR
Ms. Angela J. Osborne, PCI
Guidepost Solutions
Decatur, IL USA
Mr. Edward J. Batchelor, PSP
Guidepost Solutions
Chicago, IL USA
Mr. Scott Dunn
AXIS Communications
Chelmsford, MA USA
Mr. Martin Huddart
ASSA ABLOY
New Haven, CT USA
Mr. Phil Aronson
Aronson Security Group (ASG)
Renton, WA USA

5. Report and Resources
available:
asisonline.org/
careerpathwaysguide
5

6. 6

7. What types of opportunities does a
professional in security have?
What traits and competencies are expected
of professionals at different stages of their
career?
How can I start and grow my career?

8. • “We have security guards all the way
up to Vice Presidents in our company,
and in between there are managers,
people who run specific programs. Our
entry level professionals have
responsibilities that are more the day-
to-day security operations as well as
onsite management of emergency
responses. In the higher level positions,
professionals are leaders of the
organization. They have to run the
business, maintain the liaisons with the
other parts of the company.”
• - Practitioner Executive, Study
Participant
“We have security guards all the way up to Vice
Presidents in our company, and in between there are
managers, people who run specific programs.
“Our entry level professionals have responsibilities
that are more the day-to-day security operations as
well as onsite management of emergency responses.
“In the higher level positions, professionals are
leaders of the organization. They have to run the
business, maintain the liaisons with the other parts
of the company.”
- Practitioner Executive, Study Participant

9. Raise your hands if you are:
• Hiring for open positions or planning to hire
• Seeking a new job or a first job in security
• Seeking a new job but can’t admit it
Question for the Audience

10. • Where are you seeing the most job
opportunities right now?
Question for the Panel

11. 11
Core Levels Within a Career in Security Management
Management Level
“Delegators”
Executive Level
“Strategy and
Vision”
Professional Level
“Do-ers”
Transition into security
from another sector
and start your career
here, or get promoted
into a management
role from the
professional level.
Start your career here
and grow through
specialization within
this level, or advance
to management, or
both.
Grow into
leadership roles and
C-Suite positions
within companies.

12. 12
A Closer Look: The Professional Level for Practitioners
• How do you get your career started?
• What will you need to be successful?
• What will your teams need to be successful?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
May have…
…started career in a
different sector, such as
military, law
enforcement, and/or
business administration

13. 13
Common
JobTitles
• Coordinator
• Advisor
• Specialist
• Corporate, Facility or Protective
Security Advisor
• Private or Forensic Investigator
• Security Specialist
Common
Responsibilities
• Monitoring and responding to
threats
• Planning and coordinating
procedures with other
departments or functions
• Managing security operations
Professional Level—highly operational in focus,
limited business-related responsibilities or functions

14. 14
Professional Level
SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS Solid understanding of the basic concepts of security management
INVESTIGATION SKILLS
General understanding of the methodology the organization
undertakes to collect and preserve information in reports to enable
the enterprise to make reliable decisions in response to situations
INTEGRITY
Shows high degree of ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking
responsibility
COLLABORATION Works effectively with individuals and teams
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
Ability to identify problems and relevant information, to generate
alternative solutions and choose and implement solutions
PROFESSIONALISM
High degree of self-control, holding a professional appearance, and
having a positive attitude
PLANNING & ORGANIZATION Manages time effectively, prioritizing responsibilities
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

15. 15
“The number of ‘hats’ I must wear in this
job is the most challenging aspect.”
- Professional Level Challenge
Project Management
• Initiating, planning,
executing, controlling,
and closing the work
of a team to achieve
specific goals and
meet specific success
criteria at the specified
time
Crisis Management
• Understanding the
process through which
an enterprise deals
with a critical incident
or major event that
threatens to harm the
organization, its
property, assets,
systems, continuity, or
people
Risk Management
• Ability to identify
threats/risks and
vulnerabilities taking
into account the
frequency, probability,
speed of development,
severity and
reputational impact to
achieve a holistic view
across the entity
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

16. 16
A Closer Look: The Professional Level for Suppliers
• How do you get your career started?
• What will your teams need to be successful?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
The majority …
…started their careers in a
different sector, such as
military, business
administration, marketing
and sales, law enforcement
or information technology.

17. 17
Common
JobTitles
• Security Consultant
• Sales Engineer
• Security Project Engineer
• Senior Consultant
• Systems Engineer
Common
Responsibilities
• Managing projects and
programs
• Designing and engineering
security systems
• Serving in consultative and/or
advisory role
Professional Level—highly operational in focus,
limited business-related responsibilities or functions.

18. 18
Professional Level
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
Technical expertise appropriate to knowledge of risk, security, and
the cost-effective delivery of mitigation solutions
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Technical skills, hardware knowledge, network literacy, computer
skills, electronics
SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS
Understanding the basic concepts involved in security and security
management
COLLABORATION Works effectively with individuals and teams
INTEGRITY Demonstrates ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking responsibility
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

19. 19
“The need to be in more than one place
at a time.”
- Professional Level Challenge
Project Management
• Initiating, planning,
executing, controlling, and
closing the work of a team to
achieve specific goals and
meet specific success criteria
at the specified time
Planning and Organization
• Managing your time
effectively, prioritizing
responsibilities, and project
management skills
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

20. 20
A Closer Look: The Manager Level for Practitioners
• How do you get your career started?
• What will you need to be successful?
• What will your teams need to be successful?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
May have…
…started career in a
different sector, such as
military, law
enforcement, and/or
business administration
Typically have at least 7 years
of experience in security

21. 21
Common
JobTitles
• Consultant
• Account Manager
• Assistant or Senior
Director
• Security Manager
• Director of Global
Security
• Director of Loss
Common
Responsibilities
• Oversight of security
management function
• Directing and
coordinating security
operations
• Developing and
implementing
strategies to
understand and
Management Level—highly operational in focus,
moderate focus on business-related functions.

22. 22
Management Level
RISK MANAGEMENT
Strong ability to identify threats, taking into account the
frequency, probability, speed of development, severity and
reputational impact to achieve a holistic view across the
organization
SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS Solid understanding of the basic concepts of security management
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
Able to provide specialized technical expertise appropriate to
knowledge of risk, security, and the cost-effective delivery of
mitigation solutions
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Ability to build, motivate, and lead a professional team that is
attuned to the organizational culture
LEADERSHIP
Demonstrates effective team leadership, responsive to business
needs, and committed to integrity and excellence
Shows high degree of ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

23. 23
Business Acumen
• Understanding basic business
principles, trends, and economics
Compliance and Regulatory Issues
• Developing and maintaining security
policies, procedures, and practices,
that comply with relevant elements
of criminal, civil, administrative and
regulatory law to minimize adverse
legal consequences
“Time management, with such broad
scope of responsibilities it is difficult to
commit quality time to each area of
responsibility to deliver our very best for
each program.”
- Management Level Challenge
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

24. 24
A Closer Look: The Management Level for Suppliers
• Planning a transition in your career?
• What will you need to be successful?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
Most stated…
…their career in a different
sector, such as military,
business administration,
marketing and sales,
architecture and
construction, law
enforcement, or information
technology, before moving
to the security industry
Typically have at least 7 years
of experience working in a
security-related role

25. 25
Common
JobTitles
• Business Development Manager
• Business Development Director
• Project Manager
• Regional Sales Manager
Common
Responsibilities
• Responsible for sales and business
development
• Managing projects
• Engaging in customer service
activities
• Applying subject matter expertise
• Promoting security fundamentals
• Ensuring integrity of systems
• Using creative problem-solving
skills
Management Level—highly operational in focus,
moderate focus on business-related functions.

26. 26
Management Level
SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ability to identify and prioritize sales targets and strategies, understand
customer needs and respond with effective solutions/ proposals
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to
achieve specific goals and meet success criteria at the specified time
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Ability to communicate and interact with customers and clients in a way that is
sensitive to their situation, including their personality and needs
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
Technical expertise appropriate to knowledge of risk, security, and the cost-
effective delivery of mitigation solutions
SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS
Understanding the basic concepts involved in security and security
management
INTEGRITY Shows high degree of ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking responsibility
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
Identifying problems, identifying relevant information, generating alternatives
and choosing and implementing solutions
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

27. 27
Executive Management
• Ability to build, motivate, and lead a
professional team attuned to organizational
culture
“Preconceived beliefs on cost effective
and effective security countermeasures.”
- Management Level Challenge
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

28. 28
• How do I become a true leader in my organization?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
May have…
…started career in a
different sector, such as
military, law
enforcement, and/or
business administration
Typically have at least 11 years
of experience in security
A Closer Look: The Executive Level for Practitioners

29. 29
Common
JobTitles
• Vice President
• Executive Director
• C-Suite
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Security Officer
• Head of Global Security Services
• Executive Vice President
• Vice President of Security
Common
Responsibilities
• Plays more of a consultative/
advisory role in security operations
• Broad oversight of business and
operations
• Develop and implement strategies
to understand risk
• Direct and oversee budget/ finance
functions
• Implement strategy and planning
• Application of general
management skills
Executive Level—high focus on business-related
functions, limited focus on operational issues.

30. 30
Executive Level
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Ability to build, motivate, and lead a professional team that is
attuned to the organizational culture
SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS Solid understanding of the basic concepts of security management
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a
team to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria at
the specified time
LEADERSHIP
Demonstrates effective team leadership, responsive to business
needs, and committed to integrity and excellence
INTEGRITY
Shows high degree of ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking
responsibility
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

31. 31
Project Management
• Initiating, planning, executing,
controlling, and closing the work
of a team to achieve specific goals
and meet specific success criteria
at the specified time
Crisis Management
• Understanding the process
through which an enterprise deals
with a critical incident or major
event that threatens to harm the
organization, its property, assets,
systems, continuity or people
“The most challenging aspect is dealing
with buy-in and the complexities of
security in general. The importance of
the position is swept under the rug until
something major occurs.”
- Executive Level Challenge
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

32. 32
A Closer Look: The Executive Level for Suppliers
• How do I become a true leader in my organization?
Icon
placeholder
Most have…
…a Bachelor’s or
Master’s Degree
Typically have at least 11 years
of experience in security
Most stated…
…their career in a different
sector, such as military,
business administration,
marketing and sales,
architecture and
construction, law
enforcement or information
technology, before moving
to the security industry

33. 33
Executive Level—high focus on business-related
functions, almost no focus on operational issues.
Common
JobTitles
• President
• Vice President
• Chief Executive Officer
• Principal
• Director
Common
Responsibilities
• Broad oversight of business and
operations
• Responsible for sales and business
development
• Direct and oversee budget/ finance
functions
• Implement strategy and planning
• Application of general
management skills

34. 34
Executive Level
SALES AND BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
Ability to identify and prioritize sales targets and strategies,
understand customer needs, and respond with effective solutions/
proposals
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Ability to communicate and interact with customers and clients in a
way that is sensitive to their situation, including their personality
and needs
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Ability to build, motivate, and lead a professional team attuned to
organizational culture
LEADERSHIP
Demonstrates effective team leadership, responsive to business
needs, and committed to integrity and excellence
INTEGRITY
Shows high degree of ethical behavior, acting fairly, taking
responsibility
TRAITS &
COMPETENCIES

35. 35
Executive Management
• Ability to build, motivate, and
lead a professional team
attuned to organizational
culture
Relationship Management
• Developing, influencing and
nurturing trust-based
relationships with business unit
leaders, government officials,
and professional organizations
“Staying focused among multiple
disciplines and responsibilities.”
- Executive Level Challenge
COMMON SKILL
GAPS

36. 93% of Certified Protection
Professional recipients credited
the credential to growth in
their career
88% of Physical Security
Professional recipients credited
the credential to growth in
their career
74% of Professional Certified
Investigator recipients credited
the credential to growth in
their career
Where can I turn for growth throughout
my career?

37. Certified Security
Project Manager
certification
Volunteer
leadership
opportunities
Networking and
knowledge-
sharing
Educational
resources
Events and
conferences
And much more
Where can I turn for growth throughout
my career?

38. $cholarships!
Professional Development!
Fun Career Networking!
securityindustry.org/RISE
SIA RISE Program for Young Professionals

39. Report and Resources
available:
asisonline.org/
careerpathwaysguide
39

40. Questions?

41. Title Goes Here
Speaker Name
Title
Goes Here
Thank You!