| Security Consultants are professionals proficient in | | | | based on the nature of the case. However, as the |
| security functions, risk assessments and related | | | | case unfolds the requirements might shift or expand |
| industry projects and managerial consulting. They fulfill | | | | and vigilance is essential to remain effective in the |
| a need requiring knowledge and competency unfulfilled | | | | security capacity. Integrity is the hallmark of all security |
| by law enforcement which often times are | | | | functions; professionalism and reputation are what |
| understaffed, overworked and sometimes lack the | | | | clients depend on. The thoroughness, foresight and |
| private sector acumen to advise and function | | | | ability to adapt to the unexpected is paramount to |
| effectively as security consultants. These consultants | | | | ones profession depending on the security function |
| are required depending on their specific function to act | | | | applicable to the case or assignment, e.g. Security |
| as liaisons between their private sector clients and law | | | | Consultants can coordinate executive protection |
| enforcement personnel. Although there are a | | | | details including conducting threat assessment, |
| substantial amount of former law enforcement | | | | pre-surveillance, counter-surveillance, logistics, security |
| personnel joining the ranks and providing security | | | | personnel and/or be an intricate part and member of |
| consultancy it requires a professional adjustment and | | | | the close protection team. This is determined by the |
| paradigm shift to fulfill the security function | | | | threat assessment, logistics, coordination and the |
| competently. | | | | proficiency of the security practitioner in the executive |
| The security consultant is essentially an advisor who | | | | protection capacity in concert with other required |
| utilizes his experience, knowledge and resources to | | | | security functions. However, some security consultants |
| recommend procedures, equipment, personnel, etc. to | | | | make their assessments and render recommendations |
| reduce and/or mitigate the risk exposure of the client. | | | | to their clients but are not instrumental in executing the |
| If, the consultant is called in after an incident to assess | | | | recommendations given. Implementation is done by the |
| the culpability of the parties involved or determine the | | | | client, third parties or in-house corporate security |
| responsible parties, the consultant will review all policies | | | | personnel. |
| and procedures or lack thereof effective at the time | | | | A growing cache of professional security consultants |
| of the incident, review physical environment, condition | | | | are affiliated with international organizations which offer |
| of applicable equipment function or malfunction, | | | | standardized certification attesting to the competency |
| surveillance video (if available)and other incident | | | | of consultants by ascribing a certain level of years of |
| specific data to assess the event and make a | | | | experience in a security function, fulfilling an academic |
| determination of the chain of events or the Who, | | | | curriculum and passing a written test. Recertification is |
| What, Where, Why and How of the occurrence. | | | | required to maintain the credential and keep current on |
| Documentation by the consultant inclusive of | | | | developments in the industry that impact the |
| recommendations can be critical to the client in deciding | | | | consultants’ profession. |
| how to proceed and corrective measures to take if | | | | The landscape in which the security consultant |
| applicable to alleviate the possibility of incident | | | | functions is constantly evolving; especially in a post 911 |
| reoccurring. It is imperative for the consultant to be | | | | environment. New threats have surfaced, old threats |
| unbiased in his or her assessment and | | | | have remained and adaptation is imperative to remain |
| recommendations and present the facts as | | | | effective against all. This has increased the demand |
| determined, impartially. | | | | for security consultants and other security related |
| A security consultant can have multiple functions or | | | | professionals equipped with the knowledge, experience |
| proficiencies including conducting security audits, risk | | | | and fortitude to deliver competent services to address |
| assessment, executive protection, technical surveillance | | | | security issues of various magnitudes and durations. |
| counter measures to name a few. All these functions | | | | The market essentially benefits from this diversity in |
| including physical surveillance can be interrelated | | | | which depending on the requirement various |
| depending on the case and events requiring the | | | | consultants can be sought and matched to fulfill it. This |
| services of the consultant. A professional practitioner | | | | fosters and promotes free enterprise which |
| would be able to assess what functions would be | | | | economically is regulated by the law of supply and |
| required to effect the security necessary for the client | | | | demand. |