Feral Jundi

Monday, October 8, 2012

Industry Talk: ANSI Introduces New ISO Standard For PSC’s

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:51 AM

Ok, here we go. Finally we are getting into the realm of ISO for security companies, which I have commented on in the past. This has been one of those goals of the industry for a long time, and it is great that the process is moving forward.

Below I have posted two articles packed with some good information on some ISO case studies, and why it will be a good thing for this industry. The case studies section came to some very interesting conclusions as well. Check this quote out?

Overall, the 21 case studies demonstrate that the benefits of using standards are valued, in terms of contribution to company gross profit, at between 0.15% and 5% of annual sales revenues.

So how can standards like these, actually increase a company’s annual sales revenue? Well, the studies came up with some key benefits of the ISO which all contribute to this increase. To me, it is all about getting companies throughout the world, playing by the same rules and standards, which also opens up the market for these companies wishing to be more global. It’s all about having a standard that is universally recognized, so a client knows that an ISO company in Germany is operating on the same level as an ISO company in India. They might not offer the same types of services or even the same quality, but at the least, they both abide by a standard of operation that is agreed to as the ‘international standard’.

Clients will also know what they are getting when contracting with such a company, and they will also know who to complain too if said company is not living up to this standard. Here is a list of a few of the benefits of the ISO.

Streamlining internal company processes
Decreasing waste and internal costs
Increasing the efficiency of research & development
Innovating business processes
Reducing risk
Enabling international expansion
Supporting development of new products and markets

What is also important to note is that this ISO is primarily focused on PSC’s and not PMC’s. Although to me, there is a lot of cross over between the two types of companies. This standard sounds like it is not applicable to maritime either, but I could be wrong there. For this ISO, they are making this distinction and will probably build upon it to make a custom ISO for Maritime Security Companies and Private Military Companies. Here is a quote.

The standard creates a framework for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining management of private security services and applies to any land-based private security provider; the standard does not apply to private military companies (PMCs), which work in military settings and offer direct tactical military assistance.

Pretty cool, and if anyone has anything to add, feel free to do so in the comments. –Matt

 

ANSI Seeks Comments on Proposed New ISO Standard on Private Security Provider Operations
October 4, 2012
ASIS International, a member and accredited standards developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has submitted a proposal for a new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard focusing on quality management for private security companies. As the U.S. member body to ISO, ANSI invites all interested stakeholders to submit comments on the proposal by Friday, October 26, 2012.
The proposal recommends the adoption of the American National Standard ANSI/ASIS.PSC.1:2012, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance, as an ISO management system standard. The proposed International Standard provides the principles and requirements for private security service providers, including private security companies (PSCs), with an emphasis on the establishment of auditable criteria, as well as accountability to relevant local laws and international human rights agreements.
The standard creates a framework for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining management of private security services and applies to any land-based private security provider; the standard does not apply to private military companies (PMCs), which work in military settings and offer direct tactical military assistance.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

Industry Talk: ASIS Receives ANSI Approval For PSC.2 Conformity Assessment Standard

Filed under: Industry Talk,Publications — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 2:48 AM

“When incorporated into contracts, compliance with the standard becomes enforceable under contract law,” says Christopher Mayer, director, Armed Contingency Contractor Policies and Programs at the U.S. Department of Defense. “Aside from direct legal action, the contracting activity can assess penalties, demand redress, withhold payment, and implement other measures to include contract termination to promote compliance and encourage company adherence.”

This post is the second installment of the ASIS ANSI approval process news that has been coming out. The first step was putting together the standard, and this part identifies the process of auditing companies. Which is very important, because you want a very impartial and reputable group to do this assessment. The strength of the certification is all based on the integrity of the auditing organization, and these guidelines spell out that process.

“The integrity of the auditing process and the competence of auditors are key to a credible conformity assessment process” says Marc Siegel, Commissioner, ASIS International Global Standards Initiative. “This standard builds on the time-tested ISO/IEC conformity assessment process to raise the bar for auditing in complex environments. By defining auditor competence and a transparent auditing process, the ANSI/ASIS Conformity Assessment Standard helps assure that PSCs will be treated fairly and only those that live up to the conformance requirements of the PSC.1 standard get certified.”

Which is great. The other thing with this is that a standard should not be something that is bought, but something that is earned, despite the size of the company. So hopefully this part of ANSI does not get abused. But also, if the standards are public and well known, then there will not be any contention about it’s interpretation. It is a national standard, and not something that changes from state to state. (with an ISO or international standard, it will be world wide, and you can see why this would be important for contracting on a global scale)

The other part that is interesting, is the quote up top. That kind of language is what puts teeth into adhering to these standards– which is great.  It means companies will actually have to get serious about quality and living up to that ANSI certification, or lose contracts or get heavily penalized because of actions on that contract. Like the quote says, ‘compliance with the standard becomes enforceable under contract law’.

Well, next stop is the ISO and we will see how that goes. The big picture for all of this stuff is that it only helps to ‘legitimize’ this industry and make us more of an asset to clients, and less of a liability. It gives clients more tools to pick quality companies, and to penalize companies who veer from their code of conduct as stated in the contract they signed. In essence, it evens the field a little when it comes to the principal-agent problem.

Like with the last ASIS publication, you can go to their website and buy a copy. Or if you are a member, it is free. Although if you search around, you will find copies floating around that folks have posted on the internet. –Matt

 

ASIS International Receives ANSI Approval for PSC.2 Conformity Assessment Standard
June 14, 2012
ASIS International(ASIS), the preeminent organization for security management professionals worldwide, received ANSI approval for its standard, Conformity Assessment and Auditing Management Systems for Quality of Private Security Company Operations(ANSI/ASIS PSC.2-2012). Developed by an international Technical Committee comprised of members from civil society organizations, as well as PSCs and their clients, this standard provides requirements and guidance for conducting a conformity assessment of the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance (PSC.1) Standard.
Private Security Service Providers including Private Security Companies (collectively “PSCs”) play an important role in protecting state and non-state clients engaged in relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts; commercial business operations; diplomacy; and military activity. Independent, external conformity assessment and certification of a Quality Assurance Management System is one means of providing assurance that a PSC has implemented a system for the management of quality of service consistent with respect for human rights, legal obligations, and good practices, as specified in the PSC.1 standard. Clients who use the services of PSCs have indicated they will use the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012 in their contracting processes. The PSC.1 Standard serves as a differentiator for companies that can provide quality of service, manage risk and respect human rights.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Industry Talk: ASIS Receives ANSI Approval For World’s First Standard To Support The Code Of Conduct For PSC’s

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 5:35 PM

“This remarkable international effort demonstrates the importance of this industry sector in support of peace and stability around the globe,” says Dr. Marc Siegel, commissioner, ASIS International Global Standards Initiative and chairman of the Technical Committee. “PSCs need to conduct their business and provide services in a manner that respects human rights and laws. The standard creates a differentiator for PSCs to assure quality of services while maintaining the safety and security of their operations with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Now this is cool. With ANSI approval, the ICoC is one step closer to being an ISO standard.  Or basically a standard that is officially recognized world wide as the standard to judge or pick a company by. So if a company in India meets the ISO standard, then a client from the US could contract with that group and know what that minimum standard that company is abiding by–in order to have that ISO standard.

It’s kind of like this. ISO has been crucial to the automobile industry. It is what allows the global market place for cars to exist.  If a car made in China is made to an ISO standard, then that car can be sold in another market/country that has the confidence that it is safe and built to a standard that is internationally recognized. So that is the angle here for PSC’s.

A standard also helps in the principal agent problem. If the principal will only work with companies that have an ISO stamp, and that agent knows that principals will not look at their company unless they have an ISO stamp of approval, then you can see where the value is to both parties. Without that standard, then a principal has to use other less efficient means of finding out who is good, and who is not. But the big one here is that the ISO would have value, because to not meet those standards would make you not marketable. Especially if one company in the US, wants to work for a client in Europe–both parties would know the standard that is expected.

Why standards matter (from the ISO website)
Standards make an enormous and positive contribution to most aspects of our lives.
Standards ensure desirable characteristics of products and services such as quality, environmental friendliness, safety, reliability, efficiency and interchangeability – and at an economical cost.
When products and services meet our expectations, we tend to take this for granted and be unaware of the role of standards. However, when standards are absent, we soon notice. We soon care when products turn out to be of poor quality, do not fit, are incompatible with equipment that we already have, are unreliable or dangerous.
When products, systems, machinery and devices work well and safely, it is often because they meet standards. And the organization responsible for many thousands of the standards which benefit the world is ISO.
When standards are absent, we soon notice.
ISO standards:
-make the development, manufacturing and supply of products and services more efficient, safer and cleaner
-facilitate trade between countries and make it fairer
-provide governments with a technical base for health, safety and environmental legislation, and conformity assessment
-share technological advances and good management practice
-disseminate innovation
-safeguard consumers, and users in general, of products and services
-life simpler by providing solutions to common problems
Check out the ISO Cafe for more examples of the impact of this system.

Very cool and we will see how it goes. We will see how long it takes to get from ANSI all the way up to ISO, but this is a big step closer to that goal. Good job to all involved and a big congrats to ASIS. –Matt

 

ASIS International Receives ANSI Approval for World’s First Standard to Support the Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers
Alexandria, VA
April 20, 2012
ASIS International(ASIS), the preeminent organization for security management professionals worldwide, received ANSI approval for its standard, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance(ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012). Developed by a Technical Committee comprised of more than 200 members from 24 countries, this standard establishes a mechanism for Private Security Companies and their clients to provide demonstrable commitment, conformance, and accountability to the principles outlined in the International Code of Conduct (ICoC) for Private Security Service Providers.
Private Security Service Providers including Private Security Companies (collectively “PSCs”) play an important role in protecting state and non-state clients engaged in relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts; commercial business operations; diplomacy; and military activity. The purpose of this standard is to improve and demonstrate consistent and predictable quality of services provided by PSCs while maintaining the safety and security of their operations and clients within a framework that aims to ensure respect for human rights, national and international laws, and fundamental freedoms.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

Jobs: Security Coordinator II, North Carolina

Filed under: Executive Protection,Jobs,Management Positions,North Carolina — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 10:03 AM

 
 

Job Requisition Number:     241403
 
Job Title:     Security Coordinator II
 
Location:     Raleigh,NC, North Carolina 276075066 United States
 
Hrs/Wk:     40
 
Employment Type:     Full-Time 

Job Description:
      
RESPONSIBILITIES:

SECURITY COORDINATOR I, 2, or 3 (EMV 2= 65,000-75,000-85,000), depending on experience. RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinate overall Bank Security Program and Initiatives. Understand the Bank Protection Act and other Federal regulations and statutes. Implement security policies, procedures and standards to minimize risk associated with crime and life safety issues. Conduct Compliance and Risk Measurement Surveys. Support the Crisis Management Team. Be a member of the Incident Response Team. Provide leadership and guidance during incident management response. Investigate external and internal incidents. Provide security-related training. Participate and support the Executive Protection Program. (more…)

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