Being Better Together –Joining the Global Security Team

Joining ASIS International means joining a team of 34,000 security professionals spread across the globe, writes the professional organisation’s New Zealand Chapter Deputy Chair Chris Proctor.

Teams have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can still recall the excitement AND anticipation of standing in the school corridor as the sports teacher pinned up the rugby team list on the board and the stampede to get to see it once he disappeared around the corner. The exhilaration of seeing my name alongside 14 of my mates; I was in the team!

I knew nothing about improved productivity, fresh perspectives or any of the other benefits of team working that we are familiar with now. I just knew that I was part of a team who shared a common goal – to win as many games as we could. The fact that my subsequent rugby career was somewhat muted, languishing back down in the second and third teams didn’t matter, I was still a member of a team.

Rugby team dreams. Chris is in the back row, fifth from the left.

My security career has also seen me working in teams although their size and composition has varied tremendously. Security was never on my horizon, however, an unexpected change in direction saw me joining the British Army with the fantastic job title of Operator Intelligence and Security.

Across almost three decades of service, I worked in and led teams of security practitioners both on operations and in the home base. Now, being the Army, we used terms like Sections, Companies, Battalions, or Corps but regardless of their size and complexity, they were all teams; groups of professionals with interconnected roles, complimentary skills, a synergy in how we worked and a common purpose.

Chris is in the back row, third from the left.

I am now a member of two equally high performing teams. The first of those is Beca, and I could spend time expounding on the innovative, enterprise level security audit, advice is and assurance services that myself and my colleagues (all deep security experts with a bewildering range of expertise and experience) provide to our clients but this is not the place for that. If you do want to know more, I’m always up for a coffee and a chat – after all, life is a business development opportunity.

The other security team that I want to discuss is ASIS.

Founded in the US in 1955 with the aim of professionalising the field of security, ASIS has grown to be a global community of security professionals. Today ASIS is the largest professional security membership organisation in the world, comprising a diverse mix of practitioners, academics, consultants, and others dedicated to the advancement of security worldwide.

When I first heard about ASIS, I did ask myself ‘why bother?’ I thought that it was just another ‘clique’, focused solely on US security issues. However, I paid my fees and joined what I have now discovered to be an outstanding team of 34,000 security professionals located across the globe.

And I do mean ‘team’. When you look at how teams operate and what benefits they provide, ASIS fits neatly into almost every criterion. So, in a thinly disguised attempt to promote the virtues of ASIS and to convince you that it really is a team worth joining, let’s do that comparison:

Team benefit: Builds trust

ASIS benefit: Leveraging the reputation of a world-renowned security organisation and its globally recognized certification standards brings with it an increased confidence and trust in your security credentials within your networks and with your clients.

Team benefit: Builds understanding

ASIS benefit: We all know that ‘every day is a school day’ and ASIS is a real advocate of this. Learning programs, webinars, a learning exchange, mentoring opportunities, case studies, annual events and the certification courses provide a plethora of learning opportunities.

Team benefit: Increases innovation

ASIS benefit: Through its publications, blogs, member’s fora, special interest groups and interaction between members worldwide, ASIS seeks to share best practice and to explore new and innovative ways of doing this security ‘thing’ we’re all involved with.

Team benefit: Provides fresh perspectives

ASIS benefit: Harnessing the power of over 34k professionals results in new ways of thinking. Members reach out and challenge the status quo or request insight from a huge panel of experts. ASIS provides thought leadership and innovation through a host of educational opportunities and a range of publications and online resources to really get you thinking differently.

Team benefit: Overcomes obstacles

ASIS benefit: Using the ASIS network can help you in overcoming knotty security problems that you are facing. It is highly unlikely that the issue is unique to you so, by sharing and inviting insight from the ASIS team, you will receive expert advice and suggestions.

Team benefit: Engages members

ASIS benefit: Conducting regular local meetings where expert speakers provide deep insight into emerging security issues coupled with great networking opportunities with fellow chapter members. The opportunities for professional development, involvement in specific interest groups and the availability of a huge range of resources to support you in your work all represent engagement touch points that make belonging to this team an exciting, active and engaging experience.

I have used ASIS to benefit my career by:

• Using the network to develop innovative ways of working.

• Contributing to discussions and providing insights to help others.

• Maintaining my knowledge of the market

• Making and engaging with new contacts at home and internationally.

• Learning from informative speakers at chapter meetings

In short, I’m as excited to be a member of the ASIS team as I was standing in that draughty corridor waiting for the rugby team list to be posted!

So, have I whetted your appetite? If so, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch at chris.proctor@beca.com. Come along to one of the next ASIS meetings and see for yourself. I’d be happy to host you and do all the introductions.

If you’re not quite convinced, consider the benefits of growing your network, navigating global industry trends, and advancing your career through globally renowned professional development that ASIS offers. You are more than welcome to come along to an ASIS meeting and check it out for yourself.

You might want to review the ASIS website at https://www.asisonline. org/.

Have a look at what ASIS offers and then reach out for a chat.

Chris Proctor is Deputy Chair of the ASIS International New Zealand Chapter and a security consultant at Beca.