October 25, 2008
ASIS Published Article Recognizing Professional Certification Veteran
ASIS international October 2008
certification newsletter
certification newsletter
CPP 30 Years Ago …
Saluting the First Test Takers
Ever wondered what it would have been like to take the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) exam 30 years ago and if candidates back then had similar experiences as those currently preparing for the test? During the 2008 Annual Seminar in Atlanta, the certification staff was fortunate to briefly chat with William H. Nesbitt, CPP, who obtained his designation in 1978. Nesbitt helped to shed some light and his perspective on candidates’ expectations about certification three decades ago.
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We all felt a sense of pride having been among the first to achieve certification through the exam process.
William H. Nesbitt, CPP
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Back then, CPP reference materials consisted of two volumes of the Protection of Assets (POA) Manual. Currently the POA Manual is a four-volume compilation of 3,534 pages of central security reference materials that is constantly updated and used in conjunction with five other reference materials.
In addition, a Job Analysis (Role Delineation Study) is conducted approximately every four to five years and is a vital process undertaken to ensure that the exam accurately reflects current job-related activities, competency, and professional standards. Nesbitt acknowledges the importance and impact of the analysis on the value of the designation and states that “the CPP certification program has grown and evolved with the passage of time. Attaining the CPP designation is still difficult, yet the integrity of the process has allowed the CPP designation to gain worldwide respect and validity.”
Today, those who obtain an ASIS certification have the advantage of knowing that the certification process is of world-class quality as the programs have received the highly coveted worldwide recognition offered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard is formerly known as ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024. The CPP exam is also now administered in over 30 locations outside Canada and the United States and is accepted as the international standard of competency.
Demographic data collected from exam participants reveals that candidates attribute part of their success to the investment of time in exam preparation and use of some form of study group support. Nesbitt too explained that his situation was similar as “it was difficult to know how to best prepare for the exam.” He recalls attending an ASIS workshop, which in retrospect he found to be very helpful. He also felt that when he first took the test, it was hard and he was skeptical about his success. Thankfully he passed!
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CPP Exam
Then & Now …
*Projected Numbers
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The PCB thanks Nesbitt for contributing to this article and salutes him and the other 39 security professionals who were the first to become CPPs through examination. Nesbitt is the President of Security Management Services International, Inc. (SMSI Inc.) – a security and forensic consultancy business based in California. He is presently serving on the Healthcare Security Council and in the past has served on the Physical Security Council and the Crime Prevention & Loss Control Council (the latter two were known as Standing Committees at the time), each in excess of 10 years.
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