The Security Institute

Introduction to CPD

The Security Institute is committed to raising standards within the security profession, and encourages everyone working in security to actively seek to develop their knowledge, competence and expertise. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an essential way to keep up-to-date with the latest issues and developments in the security arena, giving those who participate in the scheme a competitive edge over other practitioners and enhancing confidence and competence.  It is a structured method of encouraging participants to achieve a minimum level of achievement over a set period of time and is the key to managing your career.

Taking a structured approach to your professional development will help you:

• Keep pace with changes in the Security Sector
• Achieve recognition
• Identify your competencies
• Become more employable
• Motivate yourself to improve your skills
• Achieve your goals and progress in your career

The CPD year runs from 1st January to 31st December each year for all scheme members (pro-rata for those joining the scheme part way through the year).

Registration

Annual registration is required to take part in the scheme, which includes a short personal development form.  This will give members the opportunity of setting a focus and priorities for their development for the year ahead.  Please download the blank CPD Registration form and once completed please submit it to cpd@security-institute.org so you can be added to this year's register.

Types of Activity

The Security Institute understands the varied activities undertaken by its members, and therefore recognises a diverse range of activity. CPD activity falls into 3 categories:

• Self-Directed for individual learning and research often non-structured
• Structured learning, including member events, seminars, conferences, courses and qualifications, all of which can be provided by the Security Institute of other organisations
• Other Contributions, such as committee work, presentations, papers, mentoring, often aimed at educating or supporting the development of others

All CPD activity must directly relate to the development of security and/or management proficiency.  It should expand and update knowledge in security and/or management, but should not include activity considered to be part of an everyday job. 

The number of points required annually is 36 with at least 5 points in each of the three categories.

Chartered Security Professionals are required to undertake CPD on an annual basis, and will automatically be registered with the Institute's CPD scheme once admitted to the Register.

We are keen to stress the importance of continuing professional development to Student and Graduate members of the Institute, and therefore from 2011 all new members at these grades will be required to participate in the CPD scheme.  This change will not apply retrospectively; however, we strongly recommend that existing Student and Graduate members give serious consideration to the benefits of CPD.