Thursday 3rd May saw the first gathering of the volunteer assessors who are the lifeblood of the admittance process to the Register of Chartered Security Professionals. Generously sponsored by and hosted at Corps Security London HQ, their Executive Director Mike Bluestone CSyP is also the CSyP Registrar, and it was his idea to bring the whole assessment team together for an informal social evening event in recognition of the hard work and results the assessors team deliver. Attendees included mentors, document assessors, essay assessors, interviewer assessors, and members of the independent appeals panel and registrar panel. They were also joined by Ian Dyson QPM DL (the new chair of the CSyP governing body), Don Randall MBE CSyP (one of the key originators of the Register on behalf of the WCoSP) and Julie Nel (chair of the Security Institute, who handle all applications on behalf of the WCoSP).
The Register is fortunate to have so many CSyPs willing to donate their time and share their knowledge and experience to help people applying to be admitted. For applicants, there are forms to fill in, evidence to compile, in some cases essays to research and write, and always a professional interview with three trained interview assessors to attend. The assessment process – which also includes background checks and references – is looking for confirmation that the applicant is having a strategic impact and is proficient in security knowledge, putting that knowledge into practice, having excellent communication and leadership skills, and showing a personal commitment to ongoing learning and support to others.
Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security made sure everyone felt welcome, and Air Marshall Chris Nickols CB CBE DL, Chair of Corps Security’s Board, spoke of his admiration and respect for the Register and its important place in the professional security sector as the ‘Gold Standard’ for professional certification, and recognition. Mike Bluestone CSyP commended and paid tribute to all of the Register volunteers along with the dedicated Security Institute Admin team for their hard work and commitment and declared that all the volunteers would be receiving Certificates of Appreciation for their selfless commitment.