Why should you become a CPP?

With over 6,000 CPPs now certified worldwide, support for the programme from corporate general management across the UK and Europe is growing – resulting in the CPP certification becoming recognised as a true indication of any security professional's competence in a managerial role.

Devised by ASIS International, the qualification is the only one of its kind available in the UK security sector that's experience-related. It's value is shown by the fact that, unlike a degree for example, this is not a 'one off' – the holder's right to possess the qualification has to be re-assessed every three years. For employers, that fact alone renders the CPP a recognisable certificate of vocational quality and ability.

As a security manager, what can you gain from becoming a CPP? Recognition as a leader in the security industry. Career advancement through expanded opportunities for professional growth. Public awareness of your standing as a professional in the field who has both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to deal with today's risks and threats to the corporate environment. Demonstrated adherence to the highest standards of industry conduct. And a demonstrable commitment to remaining at the leading edge of your profession.

Are you eligible for CPP?
To be eligible for the CPP qualification, you need to have a minimum of nine years' practical security experience under your belt, at least three years of which must have been spent in "responsible charge" of a security function.

Alternatively, you need to have earned an Associate's degree from a regionally-accredited college and have seven years' practical experience behind you. Again, at least three of those seven years must have been spent in a managerial capacity.

If you hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and boast five years' security experience (two in a managerial capacity) then you'll be eligible. A Master's degree would necessitate only three years' operational experience. Any readers holding a doctorate must be able to demonstrate two years of managerial experience in the sector.

Now you know whether or not you can apply. What preparation do you need to make, though? First, it's important to get hold of the right study literature well in advance of the exam proper. The official book listing is available at the beginning of the course. In 2004, the recommended texts will be available in the UK as well as from the US. Most of the examination questions (and their answers) are taken from these texts, so thorough reading and revision is absolutely essential.

Some of the texts involved include Stephen Robbins' Managing Today, James Broder's Risk Analysis and the Security Survey and The Complete Manual of Corporate and Industrial Security, written by Russell Bintliff.

As a security manager, what can you gain from becoming a CPP? Public awareness of your standing as a professional in the field who has both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to deal with today’s risks and threats to the corporate environm

The exam itself is directed at a wide-ranging general knowledge of security topics. Therefore, security professionals who are specialists in their field (for example, investigators) will need to ensure that their knowledge is broadly based. Bear in mind that there are differences in both terminology and philosophy between the US and the UK which must always be appreciated.

To give you a flavour for the topics covered, they encompass emergency planning, personnel security (including employee selection and screening), the protection of sensitive company information, English Law and security management. For the latter, you'll need to be au fait with countermeasures, vulnerability and risk assessments and loss prevention in particular.

Study sessions to help you
To pass, it's recommended that you study for at least an hour each night over a six-month period. As an additional incentive and help, the UK Chapter of ASIS International offers two bespoke study sessions.

First, there's the weekend orientation. Usually held each June, this has the purpose of introducing the style and subject matter of the CPP course to all students. Part of the weekend also involves practice tests, allowing students to appreciate what kind of questions they should anticipate.

The second study session occurs three days prior to the exam itself (which takes place on the first Saturday in November). In this intensive residential session, students are able to focus on the exam without the pressures of work interfering and distracting them.

The examination has been devised in a multiple choice format, with four possible answers to each question (of which there are 225 in the international version of the CPP test). You'll have four hours to complete the exam. Some 25 of the questions are what's known as 'pre-test' questions and will not count towards your final score. They will be placed randomly throughout the exam, and are not identified.

Make no mistake. The exam is difficult. That's as it should be. However, there's a clear technique to ensuring that you achieve the best mark possible. Aside from your six months' of pre-studying, on the day you should aim to answer all the questions you're completely sure about as quickly as possible. Go through the entire paper at the start and mark off those questions that you're reasonably certain about.

Guess the rest. You'll receive a mark even for the wrong answers. You'll not receive a mark if you fail to add anything at all, so don't leave any question unanswered. The pass mark is 650 out of 800, so the standard is extremely high.