Who has their CPP?

[just joe]

I'm thinking about getting my CPP before I continue on and get my master's degree. How long did you study before you took the test? I read about a guy who said he studied three years. If I'm going to study for three years, I'll go ahead and get my master's instead. Also, do most ASIS chapters have books you can borrow? Even buying most of the required reading through other sources, you are looking at at least $1,000 in books, which my boss will most certainly not pay for. Just looking for some advice and insight from you CPPs out there. Thanks.

[Curtis Baillie]

Please continue with your college studies. A CPP designation does not substitute for a college degree. A "CPP" may gain you some advantage in promotions and hiring over non-CPP applicants but IMO that's about it.

Three years to study? I would suggest there was much more going on in the persons life.

[just joe]

That's what I'm looking at. There are a number of jobs that require or prefer a CPP, so I figure it would give me an edge in that regard. I may be wrong, but I am viewing the CPP designation as an inermediate step between my BA (which I already have) and a masters.

[Curtis Baillie]

To me, a CPP is way down the list from a BA. It's a security industry certification. I dropped my ASIS (International) membership this year. I'm a retail security management consultant and ASIS offiers me little or nothing towards my area of expertise. No client has ever asked me if I held the CPP designation.

[CameraMan]

I've been thinking of getting a PSP. Never met anyone with a PSP before, so I don't know how useful it is.

[Security]

I wholeheartedly agree with everything that Curtis has said!

[SgtUSMC8541]

IMHO it depends on what type of security you are in.

On the Retail/LP side it really is not needed. When it comes to contract security it is an asset. You will find that many corporate security management positions will require or at least look for it. It is used in two ways.
One is a bench mark for the management level. It proves that you have at least a fundamental level of understanding of security. Now your fundamental level is a level for Management. More of a Director or CSO level perhaps a Branch Manager of VP. The second way is the many corporate people only know the title of “CPP”. It’s a check in the box. Meaning that they can say that their “Security Guy” has the CPP.

[just joe]

To be specific, I'm looking at college security director's positions where a BA/BS is required and a masters and/or CPP are frequently listed as preferred. I certainly agree a BA/BS is more important than a CPP cert. Thanks to all so far.

[SpecialAgentKC]

It's a nicety, not a necessity. I'm a Master's degree and CPP candidate.... The CPP would be nice, but, I'll be much more appreciative of the completion of the former. . . . My work partner has his CPP and no degree. I'd certainly rather have my BA. I worked as a campus police chief/director of public safety previously and it mattered little that I wasn't designated as a CPP.

P.S.: We do have an ASIS library at work, but keep in mind that an online review process is available as well (my employer paid/subscribed on my behalf). --K.

[Silva Consultants]

I finally took and passed my CPP about a year ago after 35 years in the security industry. I had somewhat of an aversion to all credentials of this type as I had known quite a few consultants who had lots of "alphabet soup" (CPP, CST, FAAFS, CHPA. etc.) behind their names and I thought that this was somewhat pompous as most people outside of the industry have no idea of what these letters mean.

In the past, I always said that if potential clients started asking if I had a CPP, I would get one. Sure enough, about three years ago I started seeing RFP's for security consulting services that listed the CPP as a requirement for certain consulting projects. I was also seeing more and more job descriptions for corporate security directors that required the CPP, and I figured if I was giving advice to these people, maybe I should have a CPP too.

Once I decided to go for it, it only took me about thirty days to study. I used lots of the free study material available online from the various ASIS chapters, and also paid for the web based CPP review course offered by ASIS (about $400 to members). When I took the test, I found that most of the questions directly related to the topics in my study materials so I had no problems. There was one exception: the test had at least a dozen questions on fire protection, and nothing regarding this topic was mentioned in my review course. Fortunately, I still remembered some of my fire alarm training taken decades ago, so I was able to handle these questions fine.

After having completed the process, I now have a little more respect for the CPP credential as it really does require that you have a good basic understanding of the basic fundamentals of the security profession. That being said, I agree with the others that a CPP is certainly no substitute for a BA or MS degree.

As has been mentioned in other postings, to get ahead today, security professionals need to part of the corporate management team. In my opinion, a degree in business or finance (BA or MBA) is more appropriate for today's security director than a degree in criminal justice.

I would recommend that you get your CPP in addition to your masters. Assuming you already have the requisite education/experience to take the test, you should be able to easily accomplish this within a year.

[Curtis Baillie]

I finally took and passed my CPP about a year ago after 35 years in the security industry. I had somewhat of an aversion to all credentials of this type as I had known quite a few consultants who had lots of "alphabet soup" (CPP, CST, FAAFS, CHPA. etc.) behind their names and I thought that this was somewhat pompous as most people outside of the industry have no idea of what these letters mean.

In the past, I always said that if potential clients started asking if I had a CPP, I would get one. Sure enough, about three years ago I started seeing RFP's for security consulting services that listed the CPP as a requirement for certain consulting projects. I was also seeing more and more job descriptions for corporate security directors that required the CPP, and I figured if I was giving advice to these people, maybe I should have a CPP too.

Once I decided to go for it, it only took me about thirty days to study. I used lots of the free study material available online from the various ASIS chapters, and also paid for the web based CPP review course offered by ASIS (about $400 to members). When I took the test, I found that most of the questions directly related to the topics in my study materials so I had no problems. There was one exception: the test had at least a dozen questions on fire protection, and nothing regarding this topic was mentioned in my review course. Fortunately, I still remembered some of my fire alarm training taken decades ago, so I was able to handle these questions fine.

After having completed the process, I now have a little more respect for the CPP credential as it really does require that you have a good basic understanding of the basic fundamentals of the security profession. That being said, I agree with the others that a CPP is certainly no substitute for a BA or MS degree.

As has been mentioned in other postings, to get ahead today, security professionals need to part of the corporate management team. In my opinion, a degree in business or finance (BA or MBA) is more appropriate for today's security director than a degree in criminal justice.

I would recommend that you get your CPP in addition to your masters. Assuming you already have the requisite education/experience to take the test, you should be able to easily accomplish this within a year.Mike - A very thoughtful posting. I did obtain the CSC designation as it relates directly to my business.

[Nauticus]

Myself, I'm still a huge supporter for ASIS because it's a fantastic means of networking, and the new information you can receive through this networking pays for itself. In my opinion, the private security industry is based on networking. These seminars and meetings are great ways to meet people, find out alternative ways to deal with common problems, and provides a forum to address these issues.

I'm not "certified" in any of their programs yet, but I definitely will one day. I, too, would suggest you focus on your Master's Degree above all else - a degree is good for life in general, while the CPP will only be good for specific jobs in security. Keep your options open ;)

Not taking away anything from ASIS or the CPP, but the degree is recognized by everyone.

[SecTrainer]

Not knowing what your undergrad major was, nor what master's program you're considering, it's very difficult to advise you.

If your undergrad degree is specifically security-related, and obtained from an accredited university, you have absolutely no need for the CPP and even companies that "require" it will not turn you away from consideration. Most of the time they didn't even know they could require a bachelor's degree as a higher alternative to the CPP, as this is a fairly new degree domain. I've never personally seen a CPP "requirement" that didn't simply melt away in the face of a security management bachelor's degree.

If your undergrad degree was in anything other than security management, such as criminal justice, however, the CPP would probably be a good idea. It really only covers the bare bones of security principles, and you should be able to knock it off in no time at all (a couple of months or so), assuming you meet the experience requirements as well. Then, go for the master's. Since you're apparently considering college campus security, you can reasonably surmise that degrees will be more important to administrators in that environment than industry credentials. (Most administrators are not aware that the CPP provides little or nothing in the way of expertise regarding the special problems of campus security.)

With that said, there are other security-related industry credentials that might be more relevant than the CPP in some venues. For instance, there is the CFE, and several information security credentials like the CISSP, etc. In a campus setting, there are also emergency management credentials that might stand you in better stead than the CPP. As "add-ons" to your degree(s), almost any of these are much more rigorous, better respected, more topical in their domains, and, frankly, would add more to your CV than the CPP does.

What will matter most, assuming you get to an interview, is how well you understand the processes and security-related problems of the industry and organization in question (i.e., universities, pharmaceutical industry, electrical power industry, etc.). If you'd like some suggestions on conducting intelligence of this nature prior to an interview, both respective to the industry and the organization in question, I can give you some pointers. BI is my (black) bag, as they say and OSINT will provide you with everything you need. ;)

[Security]

SecTrainer is correct. In fact, we actually had a similar discussion about this once before. I think it all comes down to what your career goals are. Certifications are great for the "hands on", technical jobs. Degrees are more preferable if you wish to move up the ladder into the administrative/managerial positions.

[JB diligence]

First, Joe congratz on furthering your education by shooting for a masters degree!

Also this is funny, as I am thinking about furthering my education, that I stumble across this thread with out entering it in "search". I am looking into taking an online "Risk Management" course, then I got thinking and reading up on the CPP certification.

For now I think my best option is the risk management idea but I'm also curious about CPP and how it could benefit me as well as my employer, for whom I've been with over 6 years.

What are your thoughts and has anyone had any success directly contributed to their CPP?

[Eric]

JB, there often is instant recognition among your peers of your dedication to the field.

I find the CPP has helped me speak the language of business that other professionals use. This was noticable by the end of the study group I was in.

Many ASIS chapters have study groups for little or no money and most often supply the books. My group met for 10 evenings over as many weeks, and I scheduled the exam for 2 weeks after that so information would still be fresh.

Take and plan the time needed to read 5 - 6 evenings each week for the duration.

A BA and CPP would still help you get some good roles, just get what you need for the role you want!

All the best

[Curtis Baillie]

Just a short about ASIS and the CPP - you do not need to be a member to obtain one.

[auxitrooper]

I know I brought this up in another thread but what would be the difference between ASIS and what they offer and the CPO from the International Foundation for Protection Officers?

ASIS seems to be (for me) more known in the field and from what I read, a more rigorous test?

[SgtUSMC8541]

I know I brought this up in another thread but what would be the difference between ASIS and what they offer and the CPO from the International Foundation for Protection Officers?

ASIS seems to be (for me) more known in the field and from what I read, a more rigorous test?

Down and drity diffrence? CPP is management and higher. CPO is Security Officer through Site Supervisor.

[FireControlman]

To me, a CPP is way down the list from a BA. It's a security industry certification. I dropped my ASIS (International) membership this year. I'm a retail security management consultant and ASIS offiers me little or nothing towards my area of expertise. No client has ever asked me if I held the CPP designation.

Another drawback is after 12 months not attaining recertification you will have to go through the whole certification process again. A one year GITMO, IRAQ, GWOT deployment will cause you to drop your cert in this case. :(

I am eligible for a voucher to pay for this cert.

[Eric]

Another drawback is after 12 months not attaining recertification you will have to go through the whole certification process again. A one year GITMO, IRAQ, GWOT deployment will cause you to drop your cert in this case. :(

There is a 3 year window to earn the 60 points needed for CPP recertification.
Take a 3 day course, you can have 1 CEU (point) for each hour of class time for example. Minus lunch of course, for 21.

[FireControlman]

There is a 3 year window to earn the 60 points needed for CPP recertification.
Take a 3 day course, you can have 1 CEU (point) for each hour of class time for example. Minus lunch of course, for 21.
thanks for the 411.

[SecTrainer]

CPP, CISSP etc. are sometimes required merely to receive consideration for a management-level job in security. We've more or less "flea-trained" people in HR and headhunters to use these credentials as a "first-cut" screening test simply to reduce the candidate pool. A degree in security management would almost always substitute for the industry creds, of course. Not so much a degree in CJ, unless it has a strong security component, which most do not have and security is a different animal.

The problem is, all of these industry credentials suffer from the same weakness, which is that they are badly deficient in basic business management skills and knowledge. So you're in a situation where you might need the CPP in order to make the "first cut" for a job, and yet where business training (via a cert from the American Management Association, the management cert programs offered by most universities, a Six Sigma cert, or something really unique like the Contract Management cert program from Villanova University, etc.) would actually do you much more good in terms of actual business skills and being able to speak the language of business, which is actually quite specialized.

Bottom line: If I were running my own security service I'd go for training in business skills every day of the week (URGENTLY!), and maybe add the CPP later depending on my evaluation of it's business value.

If I were angling for a mid-level security management job in a company I'd probably go for the CPP, and then get myself into a business cert or MBA program of some kind as fast as I could.

Either way, security is a business function, first and last, and the deplorable lack of business-oriented training that all of the security-related certs suffer from will mean you really should figure on adding business training to security creds in your long-term game plan. It's just a matter of which you do first.

[ThrilloftheVO]

I guess I can finally weigh in on this thread:

I just passed the CPP exam today! I'm pretty excited, because there is a particular employer I really want to work for who told me five months ago that they wanted me to get it before they would even interview me.

715 out of 800!

[CameraMan]

Congratulations!

[cmndr]

I guess I can finally weigh in on this thread:

I just passed the CPP exam today! I'm pretty excited, because there is a particular employer I really want to work for who told me five months ago that they wanted me to get it before they would even interview me.

715 out of 800!

Congratulations, it's a great feeling isn't it?

[shadowmib]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does CPP stand for?

[ThrilloftheVO]

Congratulations, it's a great feeling isn't it?

Thank you and yes, it is! I worked hard to get it.


Forgive my ignorance, but what does CPP stand for?

Certified Protection Professional. It's the oldest, most recognized, and highest professional certification for managers in the security industry and is administered by ASIS International. You can learn more here:

http://www.asisonline.org/certification/cpp/index.xml

[SpecialAgentKC]

Thank you and yes, it is! I worked hard to get it.



Certified Protection Professional. It's the oldest, most recognized, and highest professional certification for managers in the security industry and is administered by ASIS International. You can learn more here:

http://www.asisonline.org/certification/cpp/index.xml

Good for you! CONGRATS!!! --K.

[OramSecurityConsultants]

Ourstanding. Congrats.