Security Consulting

[TT1138]

Bit of a long shot but anybody on here have any experience in the above?

Without being too specific I’m looking at leaving a role where day to day implementation of the above has been pretty much first and foremost and wondering whether those skills transfer well to another industry.

Happy to consider direct security (higher risk stuff, not guarding a shopping centre) or a position with a firm advising others on asset protection etc, having had plenty of experience in both. Have a good degree as well for what it’s worth (I suspect not a lot!).

[redrabbit29]

I feel uncomfortable saying I have experience in this... but I have just started a job as a senior security consultant. This is doing incident response and digital forensics. The company are global and all WFH. It's only my first week though.

[nebpor]

It sounds like you are talking about physical security, not information security.

I briefly looked at Control Risks Group as an org that specialises in all sorts of risk/security work (as I have a bunch of relevant experience from working with airlines and energy) and a pal is a partner there in the USA now, specialising in business resilience. He loves the company.

I'd always say "go for it" when looking at moving into consulting. Helping others, rather than being the practitioner, can be very rewarding and typically pays much more as well.

[griffin dai]

So your looking at close protection?

[TT1138]

nebpor said:

It sounds like you are talking about physical security, not information security.

I briefly looked at Control Risks Group as an org that specialises in all sorts of risk/security work (as I have a bunch of relevant experience from working with airlines and energy) and a pal is a partner there in the USA now, specialising in business resilience. He loves the company.

I'd always say "go for it" when looking at moving into consulting. Helping others, rather than being the practitioner, can be very rewarding and typically pays much more as well.

Thanks, I’ll take a look. Yes, more physical, unfortunately I don’t have any experience in IT security.

[TT1138]

griffin dai said:

So your looking at close protection?

I’d certainly consider it if the circumstances were right.

[griffin dai]

You’ll need to complete a CP course, I’m not sure who the go to provider is these days, but there’s loads running them, I did mine with Phoenix in Hereford back in 2004 (ex SAS/14 int run) this was a 4 week course and the one to go for back then in the UK. I think Armor Group bought them out then G4S bought Armor out a few years later.

Back then there were only really 3 decent courses, Phoenix, Task and the Ronin course in S.Africa. No idea if these are still running but the Ronin course was excellent.

Who ever you do the course with make sure it’s the full course including a level 3 First aid (Level 3 FREC/FPOS/FAW) ….not a 1 day emergency first aid at work course as it’s not recognised. Make sure you do your research into the course and it’s accredited/recognised by the SIA before you spend any money! All the reputable companies should run the level 3 CP & FA course. I’m pretty sure the full course can be completed in 2 weeks now, cost wise I’d guess around £2-3k. Some are residential and provide accommodation, some don’t so budget for a fortnights B&B/hotel.

Then you’ll need your SIA CP licence (CRB check etc) that takes a few weeks.

We used to just renew the CP licence every 3 years for £190, this changed last year and we now have to complete a 3 days level 3 First aid course plus a 5 day CP top up course every 3 years.

….then find a job! Which isn’t as straight forward as it sounds. Get the course done first then sort the licence, then start applying to the various security companies. Even if they offer asset protection for a few weeks or even static guarding (mainly to try you out) it’s a foot in the door and could lead into onto a RST or CP job. A lot of the guys will work these jobs off season then get back on the CP side over summer in London, but it’s very competitive.

No military/police experience required, but is preferable, it’s more down to the individual. Honestly there’s loads of dheads in the game, but also some solid/dependable guys.

There’s also Residential security to consider (CP in a private household) this tends to be longer term/more secure/consistent shift pattern, the money isn’t as good as actual CP but if you get offered a decent RST gig….get on it.

CP is usually a few days here & there, or if your lucky a few weeks solid work over summer, the regular and consistent CP jobs are rare.

The market’s absolutely flooded though, it was bad enough back in 2004, but decent jobs are few these days.

Best advice is pick the best course you can, apply to lots of companies, keep your head down (get on with the people you work with) and start networking. Loads of jobs are word of mouth and lead into other things.