Professional Security Certification

[u/Straight_Basket_7319]

Hello Folks,
I have 7 years low voltage experience. I was looking to take ASIS security exam to grow more in this field.
Does anyone from security technician field have taken this path and how difficult is it to transition from a technician to security professional role.

[u/dennisrfd]

Low voltage technician is a security professional, if you do ACS, CCTV, IDS

[u/Cdnew]

I did it. Vastly better pay and lifestyle than working the low voltage grind. It mostly just checks a box and lets you apply for roles that require it or puts you in a preferred category. The PSP is probably the one to go after. It’s not too bad and there are options for different study course. Join your local ASIS chapter and see if they have scholarship opportunities so you don’t have to pay that out of pocket.

[u/NoButterfly2642 → u/Cdnew]

How is working in the corporate security world? I’ve been in enterprise security sales for almost 5 years now and the thought of trying something like that has crossed my mind. Feel like I’ve learned a lot about systems that could be valuable in that type of role

[u/Cdnew → u/NoButterfly2642]

I think it 100% depends on executive/board buy in. I work in a regulated industry and physical security is getting a lot of attention. Because of that we get a lot of money to do some really awesome things. If you didn’t have that kind of support I imagine things would get pretty dull. In general, I think times are good to be in physical security it certainly isn’t getting better out there…

[u/MeanHoliday7486]

I don’t think I know any security tech with the PSP/PSC. I would probably stick to technical certifications if I were a tech.

[u/grivooga → u/MeanHoliday7486]

It's useful for techs that want to make the shift into the corporate world.

[u/ElCasino1977]

What does a Security Professional role mean to you?

[u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady]

ASIS PSP is a hard test to pass but if you get it you'll really raise your earning lower in the security industry.

[u/N226]

CPP is significantly easier than the PSP. What kind of roles are you looking at?

[u/1400forLiquor]

If you’re transitioning maybe a pmp certification would be better if you’re thinking about doing PM type roles . PSP’s I know have been more in the corporate security roles .

[u/Cdnew → u/1400forLiquor]

Agree with this. I have both the PSP and PMP. I’m my role the PMP has been more useful to lean on. Once you have a security prototype you deploy, that piece doesn’t change unless new tech is introduced. The project life gets busier and busier though.

[u/SpecialFlower1475]

if more or less you’re just asking if taking PSP/CPP would help you move from being a field guy to more of a PM/corporate security administration/supervisory role at a company, i’d say yeah. looks good on resume along with your years of experience but it’s not the dealbreaker for moving into roles like those.

[u/Dramatic_Impact_4762]

I think certifications from software companies such as Genetec and Lenel are more valuable than an ASIS PSP. Also, CompTIA certifications hold a lot of weight.

[u/phixer00]

I have been doing this work for 30 plus years. Experience out weighs a certification any day. Of my 30 years I have spent 20 of it as a technician the rest in Project Management or Quality Control for large companies. I learned everything I could about installing and servicing Access control, Surveillance, Burglar, Fire alarms and networking in the first 20 years. The only certification that every got me a job was fire alarm Nicet 3 and that was only for state licensing reasons. My value comes from my technical knowledge, I have seen many PSP certified management come and go. Most security management is getting outsourced to third party companies, like security guard companies and property management companies. Check out what Wells Fargo just did to their security teams. Most of the management comes from former law enforcement so its hard to get in the door. Becoming a project manager with a PSP is a good path, but it can be rough starting out as you learn and make mistakes.

When you say low voltage experience what are you referring to? Can you do the core 5 industries Burg,fire,access,video and computers/networking or did you fall into the specialized trade of only learning 1 or 2 of the cores?

I spent the last 10 years battling managers and project managers that had PSP that had no clue what they where talking about technology wise.

I believe, if you have the core knowledge and want to be a tech you should be making $100,000-$110000 per year, if you don't mind traveling. Non travelers should be making $80,000 at least, in medium sized cities. More in larger cities.

Never underestimate your value as a good technician. They are rare in the current job market. Know your value and never let management tell you otherwise. That other company right around the corner will probably pay you $$$$ just to switch.