Security Officer Memorial

My latest post directed toward those who consider themselves "security professionals" got me to thinking about some of the ways we, in this profession, often fail to recognize the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform and shield. So I decided to do something about it in my own small way. I created a wall using information derived from the fine folks at Private Officer to memorialize those who have made that sacrifice. I will update the wall as I get information. Feel free to check it often when you feel yourself becoming more unsure about what this profession entails.

The wall can be found on the right-hand (your right) side of this site. Here's the permalink - http://blog.thesecuritydialogue.org/p/security-officers-killed-in-line-of.html

Quote of the Week

Today's quote of the week comes from one of my favorite tweeps and fellow security aficionado The Grugq. Pretty much sums it up.

@GoddamGeek no. The meaning of privacy and security are context sensitive and defined by the user. It becomes a semantic debate
— the grugq (@thegrugq) April 7, 2014

The Security Professional's Creed

After my latest post, I started to think about what it means to be a "security professional". I use this title on my personal emails and how I describe my passion to others. I find most people, to include fellow "professionals", are pretty unclear what a "security professional" actually is or should be doing. So I decided to create a creed I think summarizes what we believe, practice, and require as professionals. Let me know what you think.

1. I am a security professional. I will provide protection when requested or required. I will do this to best of my ability and will ensure my fellow professionals, sub-contractors, and employees do the same. I will work within the parameters you give but I will not sacrifice quality and how I ensure you and your assets are adequately protected.
2. I am a security professional. I have an amazing legacy. I come from Pinkerton, the Bow Street Runners, and Robert Peele. Society is safe and secure because men and women like me and my team have stood watch over the things and people others have said needed protection. We have done this dutifully and often with great sacrifice. In my field, there are no long funeral processions when we lose someone "on the job". There's no horse-drawn carriage. If we're "lucky", there's an article in the paper. Yet, here I stand ready, willing, and more than capable to make that sacrifice if need be.
3. I am a security professional. I may not be a gun-toter or a patrolman. I may be the guy working on your firewall or doing your annual risk assessment. I may be the guy in the parking lot you ignore as you hurry to your office while I stand watch in the cold, rain, and insanely hot. I may be the guy walking around your child's school to keep out drug dealers and other criminals. I may be the private investigator you call when your wife is charged with a DUI. I may be the private investigator you call when the police have failed and you need a lead in tracking down a missing child. I may be the 24 year old security officer who takes up someone else's patrol sector for the night and is mercilessly killed because I asked for an ID. I am a security professional.
4. I am a security professional. I am not a guard dog though I may use them on occasion to protect you. I am not your maid or baggage handler though I am happy to work alongside them in protecting you. I am an enabler. I ensure what I need to do doesn't impede on your ability to do what you need to do.  I am not an obstacle nor am I a nuisance. I am a professional.
5. I am a security professional. I have a variety of experiences and I've been educated by a school where the lessons learned are taught in measurements of life or death. Just not anyone can do what I do. It's hard. I'm a security professional.
6. I am a security professional. I take detailed notes, draw sketches, outline terrain features, study the threat inside and out, meet with stakeholders to address risk management, and I know the things you want protected most and where you're most vulnerable. I'm on-time to meetings. I dress professionally. I address you by terms of address you're familiar with and requested. These are big responsibilities I shoulder alone with my team. We are always adapting to your protection needs. Why? Because I'm a security professional.
7. I am security professional. Yet, I make mistakes. I may try my best but there will be a few isolated times where I forget something. While you're upset, I am even more mad that it happened. You see, I'm disciplined. When I'm in the workplace, I don't engage in office gossip. I strive to manage my personal life so it doesn't conflict with my professional life. I ask for help when needed and I seek opportunities to grow. I treat what I do as a profession and not a "job". I am security professional.
8. I am a security professional. I may not be a security "expert". As a matter of fact, I'm uncomfortable with the term. I know most "experts" are only good at one thing - convincing you they're an "expert". I don't have all the answers but I know where to find them. You could very well have a situation that I'm not familiar or equipped to deal with. When this happens, I will transfer the task to someone else who knows better than I and I will "shadow" them until I am. I am a security professional.
9. I am a security professional. I may be a guard, officer, manager, agent, director, or chief, but, at the end of the day, I am a professional. I treat this as a profession and I demand you do as well. I ensure my team and I adhere to the highest standard. Our job demands it. Countless lives depend on me and my team being effective mitigators every day in the event the threat shows up. We are prepared to detect, deter, delay and if needed, destroy the threat. We will do this and more. We are security professionals.