Page 70 - the SyI Quarterly E4 Digital Final

Chartered Security Professionals

Leaders, not Followers

Alongside the five core competency skills required for Chartered Security
Professionals (security knowledge, practical application, communications,
leadership and professional commitment) there is an over-arching requirement
to be acting in a strategic manner. We are often asked what we mean by strategic
impact, that “magic ingredient” we are looking for in all of our chartered security
professionals. What is it and how do you prove it?

The dictionary definition of strategic is: Adjective - relating to the identification of
long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
“the company should take strategic actions to cope with fundamental changes in
the environment”
Synonyms: planned, calculated, deliberate, tactical, politic, judicious, prudent,
clever, shrewd, well thought out

It seems clear therefore that the qualities we are looking for in an applicant is the
ability to understand the current issues/situation and effectively plan for dealing
with the challenges ahead. A Chartered Security Professional is someone who has
ideas, can turn them into well thought-out and developed solutions, and will be at
the forefront of driving those solutions forward. They are people who search out
their own solutions, not just implementing instructions from their line manager.
So do you have to be a Director or Head of a business to be working strategically?
Not at all. We’re looking for people who within the role that they have can
demonstrate they bring strategic thinking and delivery to the work that they do.
We are looking for leaders, not followers. And when we say leaders, we don’t
necessarily mean those who have teams under them, but people who are thought
leaders, influencers, someone you would trust to give you the right solution.

This doesn’t necessarily come with age, but it certainly comes with experience,
which is why all Chartered Security Professionals need to show they have been
working strategically for at least two years before they apply (for graduates) or for
at least five years (for non-graduates).
If you are that person who is driving security forward in your day job, then surely
you should be aiming to apply to the Register of Chartered Security Professionals.

Chartered Security Professionals - Leaders not Followers. This is why so many of
the Security Institute’s Boards, Committees and Special Interest Groups are led by
CSyPs.

Chartered Security Professionals ~ making a difference.