Page 23 - the SyI Quarterly

Education and Learning

Mapping the Journey: The Types of CPD activities
There are three main types of activity to consider based on
the individual’s appetite for a challenge: acquiring knowledge
Importance of Having and skills, studying for an academic qualification, or gaining a
professional accreditation.
Standards to Measure Against Acquiring knowledge and skills can be done in a variety of

ways. Reading trade journals and the Security Institute’s
Quality and Progress quarterly magazine, for example, is a great way of keeping
up with the issues of the day. There are also many webinars
available at security-institute.org, both live and recorded,
that allow a new topic to be taken in a bitesize manner. From
By Keeva Gilchrist and Peter Jones CSyP FSyI whatever shade of security, there is a range of topics that will
be of interest.

For someone who is working full time, taking on a part-time
What are we without standards? How do we measure academic qualification is a particularly difficult challenge:
ourselves against our fellow security professionals? modules need to be attended, coursework needs to be
How do we demonstrate our progression in the security handed in on time, examinations must be prepared for and
industry? These are some of the questions that security taken and above all, the normal working day must not suffer
professionals are faced with in their career journeys. because of this commitment. Crucially, to assure success, a
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is one of subject should be chosen that is not only relevant, but one
the ways we can achieve this. CPD is a process by which for which the learner has a passion. Indeed, this is one of
you can measure yourself against your peers and whilst the most rewarding of pathways for those serious about
demonstrating your commitment to your profession. their personal development. The Security Institute provides
pathways for its members to access vocational training
Charting a continuous personal development (CPD) journey through its training partners such as PerpetuityARC Training,
can be a daunting task. Faced with the ongoing challenges and access to academic qualifications through collaboration
of a demanding “day job”, many will take the easier path with various universities.
of consuming the development activities provided by their
employer or simply ignore their personal development For those with the appropriate experience and academic
altogether. This passive approach is dangerous and can qualifications, professional accreditation provides a way
leave the individual poorly equipped for their next career to benchmark themselves against the highest standards.
move. So how does one plan and follow a meaningful The Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) accreditation
personal development journey? represents the gold standard in security practice. Applicants
go through a rigorous application process, where their
Select CPD activities which you enjoy strategic impact and competencies in security knowledge,
The most important thing to say is that CPD should not be practical application, communication, leadership, and
a chore! Activities should be chosen that are interesting personal commitment are verified by at least six independent
or, better still, fun. Selecting CPD activities without support assessors. This includes a professional interview. Once
and guidance is another obstacle to routine development admitted, a CSyP must complete annual CPD to the required
and this is where a professional membership organisation standard. The Security Institute administers the Register of
can step in and provide the necessary framework for Chartered Security Professionals and provides many activities
CPD activities. Security professionals can join the Security including application workshops that advise prospective
Institute, the UK’s largest membership body for the applicants.
profession with over 4,500 members, and access a broad
range of services and content to support their members’
CPD objectives, including providing a CPD framework that
allows activities to be recorded and verified leading to the
award of a certificate that demonstrates CPD commitment.

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