Founded in 1955, the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International is the world’s largest membership organization for security management professionals. ASIS helps to advance security worldwide. With hundreds of chapters across the globe, ASIS is recognized as the premier source for learning, networking, standards, and research. Through its board certifications, award-winning publication Security Management, and Global Security Exchange (GSX) ASIS ensures its members and the security community have access to the intelligence and resources necessary to protect their people, property, and information assets.
Our members represent virtually every industry in the public and private sectors, and organizations of all sizes. From entry-level managers to CSOs to CEOs, from security veterans to consultants and those transitioning from law enforcement or the military, the ASIS community is global and diverse.
We offer a range of education programs, publications, and events to help you thrive professionally, whether you are a young professional or an industry veteran. Developed in consultation with leading industry experts, our resources are designed to support you at every stage in your career.
ASIS certifications are considered by many to be the gold standard within the security profession. Earning an ASIS board certification is a visible acknowledgment that you possess a mastery of core security principles and skills essential to the best practice of security management. It shows you are committed to excellence, professional growth, and a code of conduct. Following is a list and description of our certifications.
Certified Protection Professional (CPPⓇ)
The CPP is considered the “gold standard” for security management professionals. This certification validates your knowledge in all areas of security management. Eligibility requirements include five to seven years of security experience and three years in responsible charge of a security function.
Professional Certified Investigator (PCIⓇ)
The PCI certification provides demonstrable proof of an individual’s knowledge and experience in case management, evidence collection, preparation of reports, and testimony to substantiate findings. Requirements include three to five years of investigations experience, with at least two years in case management.
Physical Security Professional (PSPⓇ)
The PSP demonstrates your knowledge in physical security assessments, application, design and integration of physical security systems, and implementation of security measures. Eligibility requirements include three to five years of experience in the physical security field.
Associate Protection Professional (APP)
The APP designation provides the first “rung” on the security manager’s career ladder. It is for those with one to three years of security management experience and measures the professional’s knowledge of security management fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management.
ASIS remains dedicated to expanding and enriching knowledge sharing, best practices, and peer-to-peer connections so security professionals across disciplines—and at all stages of their career—can get access to the information and resources they need to succeed, personally and professionally.
ASIS Supports Security Professionals Worldwide
ASIS is a preeminent source for education and learning for security management professionals across the globe. In 2022, it designed and developed more than fifty webinars addressing the greatest issues and challenges facing the security profession.
ASIS International offers a dynamic calendar of events to advance your professional development. From executive education to global exchanges, ASIS events allow its members to reach new heights when it comes to their lifelong learning and networking goals with events like, ASIS Europe, ASIS LATAM, ASIS APAC, ASIS Middle East, and literally thousands of other events and gatherings through its more than 250 chapters and thirty‑eight subject area communities.
ASIS International’s award‑winning publication, Security Management, provides industry professionals with powerful news coverage on the latest trends, best practices, and insights on an ever‑changing security landscape.
ASIS members also have access to a proprietary platform, Connects, which allows an unprecedented level of connection between our 34,000 global members—allowing them to network, ask questions, gather virtually, and provide other valuable resources and tools that strengthen professional skill sets. ASIS International, in its role as a Standards Developing Organization, develops standards and guidelines to serve the needs of security practitioners in today’s global environment.
The organization is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, and serves a key liaison role on two International Organization for Standardization technical committees. ASIS standards and guidelines offer a rich set of tools that security professionals can leverage to strengthen their own organizations. In 2022, ASIS unveiled the Pre‑Employment Background Screening and Vetting Guideline as well as our Senior Security Executive Standard. ASIS has a robust pipeline of activity already planned for the coming year with the forthcoming release of five new or revised standards—including an Executive Protection Standard, the revised Risk Assessment Standard, the School Security Standard, the Cannabis Security Standard, as well as the Management System for Private Security Company Operations Standard.
The CSO Center affords chief security officers (CSOs) and their deputies from the world’s preeminent organizations various ways to connect, collaborate, and learn year-round. The CSO Center has moved the dial on a number of activities that will help its members year-round while at the same time establishing new processes that will serve its members well for years to come. I think one of the more impressive things it has accomplished is the revitalization of its onboarding process—making sure each new member feels welcomed, knows how to leverage the tools and resources available to them, and is now assigned a “new member ambassador”, an existing CSO member who serves to assist new members in their ASIS journey. CSO Center Leadership has also refined its regularly scheduled “CSO Huddles” providing CSOs opportunities to learn from one another and leading experts in other fields. In 2022, there were twenty-two such “huddles” discussing timely issues, best practices, and experiences creating another mechanism to bring global CSOs closer together. This year’s huddles ranged from discussions with a leading medical expert in COVID variants to an expert in hybrid workplaces from Airbnb. Last, GSX provides CSOs with yet another opportunity to connect, network, learn from one another, and forge lasting relationships. The CSO Center Leadership Series is an exclusive, invitation-only virtual experience for CSO Center members bringing together the global community of senior security executives. There they can explore a wide variety of critical issues and compare approaches and strategies to best prepare for an uncertain future. This three-part leadership series is focused on how senior security leaders can move beyond their title and position themselves as an asset within their organization and industry.
Through its certifications (CPP®, PCI®, PSP ®, APP ®), ASIS offers those certified a visible acknowledgment that they possess a proficiency in core security principles and skills essential to the best practice of security management.
ASIS has designed and developed a range of certificate courses allowing security professionals to demonstrate proficiency in core areas of security. By narrowly focusing on a topic, these programs help newcomers and experienced professionals alike build competencies. Unlike ASIS certifications which require rigorous study and recertification to stay current, ASIS certificate courses consist of a learning portion followed by a test based on information in the course. No previous knowledge of the topic is required and at the end of the course participants will earn continuing professional education credits (CPE). Currently, ASIS offers the following certificate programs:
- Essentials of Retail Asset Protection Certificate Course (produced in partnership with the Loss Prevention Foundation)
- Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM)
- Workplace Violence Prevention Certificate
- The Essentials of Executive Protection Certificate
The ASIS Foundation helps security professionals achieve their career goals with certification scholarships, practical research, member hardship grants, and more. The ASIS Foundation is supported by generous donations from ASIS members, chapters, and organizations. The work of the Foundation continues to play a significant role throughout our global network through its support of our members’ certification and leadership development aspirations as well as research, offering us all not only timely insights but also practical guidance. In 2022, the ASIS Foundation awarded more than 125 certification scholarships, twenty certification starter kits (awarded to our chapters), four Bordes Education grants, and two IE executive program scholarships, and released two research reports: State of Security Management and Security Convergence & Business Continuity.
ASIS runs a newly redesigned global mentoring program. ASIS members are welcome to sign up to be a mentor or mentee—or both—considering your interests and needs. The Security Leaders Mentoring program consists of an online, searchable mentor directory and mentoring support community. Once a member has set up a mentee profile, they can search the directory for potential mentor matches and reach out to those with whom they would like to connect. Mentorship relationships are encouraged to last at least six months. To date, there are 663 registered mentors from fifty‑eight countries engaged in this program. ASIS members are not only passionate about the security profession, but also in supporting their fellow members—it’s a network unlike any other.
Why Join ASIS?
Individuals must evaluate their decision to join any organization based on their personal criteria. That said, ASIS offers global security management professionals significant value with respect to their return on investment. ASIS membership offers access to best‑in-class resources, such as:
- The largest professional network of security management professionals. With 34,000 members representing 150 countries, and more than 250 chapters across the globe, ASIS provides an unparalleled network from which our members learn, collaborate, and share valuable insights, trends, and best practices.
- The Connects platform—offering our members a 24/7 connection to ASIS, events, job postings, discussions related to the most pressing security issues, etc.
- Year-round webinars that allow security professionals to stay informed and earn CPEs.
- Subject area communities.
- Access to the free e-book of ASIS Standards and Guidelines—tools to increase your effectiveness as a security professional.
- Career HQ.
- Scholarship, grant, and award opportunities for ASIS members through the ASIS Foundation.
ASIS offers discounted rates for those professionals in emerging markets, a low-price student membership ($20), and special pricing for retirees—making it easier than even for any individual to become a member. Additionally, ASIS maintains a robust offering on its online store of resources and tools for security management professionals—and offers steep discounted rates for ASIS members of up to 30 percent.
Global Gathering at ASIS GSX Conference
GSX attracts a global audience; in 2022, more than 13,000 registrants from eighty-five nations participated in the three-day event. Attendees include top-tier executives spanning the public and private sectors representing all elements of the security profession’s global supply chain. GSX also provides attendees with the opportunity to connect with individuals representing large security enterprises.
GSX is a platform for global security professionals to gather, inform one another, network, and conduct business. GSX is held each September and is a three-day event. It offers an unprecedented number of educational offerings ranging from classroom discussion, general session keynote presenters and X Stage presentations on the latest cutting-edge technologies in the security industry.
In 2023, GSX will be held September 11-13 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Atlanta, GA. GSX rotates between four primary cities:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Dallas, Texas
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Orlando, Florida
What Sets GSX Apart
There is no other event that brings together the diverse community of global security professionals with robust educational offerings, along with access to hundreds of exhibitors representing the latest technologies and solutions for the security profession.
GSX serves as a platform for industry leaders and innovators to showcase their services and products. In 2022, the GSX show floor was 25 percent larger than in 2021—with more than 400 exhibitors. It is worth noting that 97 percent of those attending GSX visit the exhibitor show floor.
GSX features its Diamond Club—giving attendees the ability to privately connect with elite buyers possessing over $1,000,000 in purchasing authority in this invite-only meeting space.
The X Stage (located in the exhibit hall) at GSX allows exhibitors with innovative security solutions the opportunity to bring their products and perspectives to life and engage in a Q&A with attendees.
GSX attendees often cite that top reasons to attend this event include access to top-notch educational offerings, the ability to network with security leaders, and our exhibit hall.
Each year, GSX celebrates military, law enforcement, and first responders through its Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, where individuals representing those communities (as well as veterans) are offered free admission to GSX on the third day of this global event.
GSX offers a robust number of CPE credits. In 2022, professionals could earn up to twenty-two CPEs at GSX.
First Time at GSX?
Between the exhibit show floor, best-in-class educational offerings, and a slew of networking events, those who attend GSX regularly would advise newcomers to plan their experience in advance of attending. Planning your schedule in advance can help to ensure you are able to experience the totality of what GSX has to offer over this jam-packed three-day period. To learn more about GSX visit gsx.org/about/.