In recent years a number of security companies and practitioners are alleged to have been involved in unprofessional behaviour. Recently there have been allegations in relation to the NRL salary cap. Security companies and practitioners have been the subject of ICAC investigations. It is improper to comment on allegations, but it is nevertheless concerning that public confidence in the people and entities that provide security services will inevitably be impacted by such allegations.
It is timely to say some things about the Security Profession and the development of professional standards within the Profession.
Security is an essential service. Members of the Security Profession formulate, advise on and implement security arrangements in government, the corporate sector and in the broader community across the country. We advise on security governance, management, risk, policy and procedure; we design, build and install physical and electronic security in the built environment; we design and implement your computer and network protection systems; we guard your buildings, airports, sporting grounds, hospitals and shopping malls. No matter where you are or what you are doing, no matter the time of day, you will see either members of the Security Profession or the fruits of their thinking or labour. Like practitioners in other key professions – medicine, law and teaching for example – Security Professionals provide an essential service to the greater good of the community.
The Australasian Council of Security Professionals was established to define and build the professional standards of the Security Profession. The ACSP is a federated body that includes individuals who are leaders in their field and representatives of academic and security-related professional associations. In this way, the ACSP speaks with a collective voice about the Security Profession and its professionalization. The ACSP has the support of the Australian Government and recognition of the Attorney General.
Last year the ACSP established the Security Professionals Registry—Australasia (SPR—A), which is now registering Security Professionals and security-related entities.
This is a historical development. The vast majority of people and entities that provide security services are competent and fit and proper, but for the first time in Australia and New Zealand, security professionals and entities are able to demonstrate that they have been assessed as ‘competent’ and ‘fit and proper’ to perform their important work. Registering as a Security Professional or as a Recognised Entity demonstrates professional standards and competency – it provides transparency and a yardstick by which claims of competence and experience can be checked.
This sort of transparency in relation to ethics, probity, competence and experience will increasingly ensure against bad and improper practices. It will work towards better procurement, recruitment and security management outcomes throughout the community. Government and business should note these new arrangements when seeking services, when considering the professional standards of the security industry, or when considering procurement and contracting options.
For more information visit http://www.spr-a.com/ and http://www.securityprofessionals.org.au.
Matthew Curtis
Chair, Australasian Council of Security Professionals
chair@securityprofessionals.org.au
+61 418 248 842
