Security Services Administration

<h2 id="section---IsSecurityServicesAdministrationForMe">Is Security Services Administration for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>As a security services administrator, you'll be responsible for planning and implementing programs that protect people, property, facilities and business assets. Professional duties will most likely include identifying risks and investigating security breaches or violations. You may also hire, train and oversee security staff. The requirements for entry-level management jobs in security services depend upon the specialty, but you'll typically need a degree in a relevant field of study and work experience. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerOptions">Career Options</h3> <p>Career options for security services administration professionals can be found in the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Corporate_Security_Jobs_Your_Career_and_Salary_Questions_Answered.html">corporate security</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Private_Security_Bachelor%27s_Degree_Programs.html">private security</a> industries, as well as with the armed forces, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Average_Salaries_for_Law_Enforcement_Professionals.html">law enforcement</a> or the military. You might also launch your own security firm or work as an independent consultant. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentAndSalaryInformation">Employment and Salary Information</h3> <p>Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide employment and salary statistics specific to security services administrators, it has projected a 12% growth in jobs for <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Job_Duties_of_a_Security_Guard.html">security guards</a> nationwide between 2012 and 2022, which represents average growth compared to all occupations. As of May 2013, security guards earned a median annual wage of $24,070, as reported by the BLS (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). According to <i>PayScale.com</i> in August 2014, security managers earned a median annual salary of $57,770. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInSecurityServicesAdministration">How Can I Work in Security Services Administration?</h2> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Administration_of_Justice_and_Security_Masters_Degree.html">Security administration</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_Security_Management_Degree.html">security management</a> programs are typically offered at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. Some schools also offer Bachelor of Business Administration or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Security_Management_MBA_Masters_Degree.html">Master of Business Administration</a> programs with an emphasis on security management. </p> <h3 id="section---Curriculum">Curriculum</h3> <p>In a security services administration or management program, you'll learn how to protect private, corporate and government properties by creating emergency response plans and showing staff members how to respond in a crisis. Training in threat assessments and reporting will also be provided. Although each program is different, you course load might also include topics in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Degrees_in_Cyber_Security_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html">cyber security</a>, crime prevention, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_Homeland_Security_Degree.html">homeland security</a>, industrial espionage and terrorism, among other subjects. </p> <h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3> <p>ASIS International, an international association for security professionals, offers the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation for security managers. To be eligible for the CPP certification, you must have a bachelor's degree and at least seven years of experience in security services, including three years in management. If you don't have a degree, you'll need nine years of security work experience, including three years in management, to qualify for CPP certification.</p>