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Industry Transition and Career Development
Circuit Magazine
August 06, 2022
People come to our profession from all walks of life. Some transition from the corporate sector, others join straight out of the military, while many more transition in from other careers like the police and even marital arts.
No matter where your career trajectory starts, what's clear is having a professional career development plan is necessary for when you want to get ahead.
In this edition of On the Circuit, we will explore career transitions into EP, as well as how to put together a solid career development plan. We'll share some top tips and advice so you can excel in the industry no matter where you've been or where you wish to go in the profession.
Let’s get into it!
The Circuit Magazine Podcast
Transitioning from the Police to the Private Sector in EP | Scott Hamer — podcast.circuit-magazine.com
How can the 'verbal judo' skills from policing translate into the private sector of EP and what can both learn from each other? Join recently retired Royalty and Specialist Protection specialist Scott Hamer as we explore:
What should operators in the police force know before transitioning to the private sector?
How can one assess the motives behind seeking EP employment after retiring from the police and why does it matter?
What are the key verbal judo skills that will assist a transitioning colleague beyond their police career?
What new technology can the private sector expect to adopt after first being used in the public sector?
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The Need to Know
The president pledged to keep the pressure on terrorists when he took the U.S. out of Afghanistan. Monday’s assassination of al Qaeda’s chief shows he was as good as his word.
It was 6.18am on Sunday, more than an hour after dawn prayers, when the Supreme Leader of Al Qaeda appeared on the balcony of his safe house to enjoy a little sunshine and fresh air.
The overall average cost of a data breach is now $15.01 million, according to new Black Kite research. What contributes to this figure?
Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has touched down at Singapore’s Paya Lebar Air Base to start a high-profile tour of Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The trip has courted controversy with suggestions the Speaker will also visit Taiwan.
Citing Ukraine, the Korean peninsula and Middle East, António Guterres says: ‘We have been extraordinarily lucky so far. But luck is not a strategy’
Police released audio claiming responsibility for the 1980 assassination of Turkish Consul-General and his bodyguard. The female voice says it was in retaliation for the Armenian genocide.
Taiwan’s military has said it is “preparing for war without seeking war”, after China’s military began an unprecedented four days of live-fire exercises close to Taiwan’s shores on Thursday, in reaction to Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island.
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From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine
A successful career in the security industry can be hugely rewarding, but it won't happen by accident. You need to prioritise your time, money & efforts for effective professional development.
Networking is merely one component part of this, albeit an important one. In this article, Jon Moss reminds us that while this career strategy might be one we're very familiar with, it isn't always being done correctly or effectively.
When participating in any form of networking, before you open your mouth, start to type, or begin to engage, ask yourself ‘is what I am about to contribute going to provide value?’ If you do this genuinely and honestly, your networking experiences will be much more rewarding.
So seize the opportunity you have to get ahead of the pack. Build momentum, get engaged, and stay motivated!
If you enjoyed this article and want more great content from across the industry then sign up for the Circuit Magazine >
Latest Issue of the Circuit Magazine
Issue 62 - Intelligence Gathering
"Love what you guys do over there. Best security-related magazine I have ever come across. Keep up the great work."
- Steven Dorsey
Geopolitical Analysis by RANE
Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and particularly in the last several weeks, competing narratives have emerged regarding the future trajectory of the war. These debates are often framed as a question regarding time — namely, on whose side is time in the war?
Ukraine hopes Russia’s battered weaponry and limited troop numbers will eventually give it a window of opportunity. But Kyiv’s ability to attain sufficient Western support is not guaranteed.
Today, a peace deal remains distant due to Russia's insistence that it maintains control over — and likely eventually annexes — the land corridor to Crimea. But Ukraine has refused to even discuss surrendering this territory as it would effectively enshrine Moscow's control of the banks of the Dnieper River, which is the economic and ideological backbone of the Ukrainian state.
The argument that time favors Ukraine largely rests on its continued access to modern NATO weaponry (specifically artillery systems and ammunition, including precision-guided munitions) — drawing a contrast with Russia's logistical, supply and military equipment production challenges.
Knowing that Ukraine's ability to conduct a counteroffensive now and in the future is entirely based on Western weapons supplies, Moscow does not need to break the will of the Ukrainians to keep fighting. Moscow needs only to break the will of the West to continue funding weapons deliveries and supporting Ukraine's civilian economy or eventual reconstruction, and to get the West to stop allowing its weapons to be used to attack its forces in the seized areas of Ukraine.
The Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics
A global center of excellence for geopolitical intelligence and analysis.
Book today: https://www.ranenetwork.com/stratcenter
From the Community
Police butt heads with an actual ATF Agent when a neighbor called with concerns he was impersonating an officer. What is your opinion on this? Who was in the wrong? Was it excessive?
“I’m a f***ing federal agent,” says to me that he's not going to comply. Being in law Enforcement, he should know that the uniform supersedes everything until proper identification is made." - KG
"You see officers treat civilians this way every day accused of far less. You also see civilians lie to officers and at close range become violent. Until I know you are not a criminal I am going to treat you like a suspect." - MJ
Ask questions, get advice, and find industry resources from an active and thriving community of professional, working operators:
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Meanwhile...
We've all heard about ‘The Great Resignation’ – people leaving their jobs following the pandemic. The top reason why people left their jobs was: no opportunities for advancement.
Security officers were hailed as key workers that played an essential role in keeping the nation running during the darkest hours of the pandemic. To reciprocate, we should be fully supportive of their career advancement.
For instance, providing training and career advancement opportunities can give security officers the chance to enhance their earnings and scope to move between contracts, which can present new opportunities and experiences.
Security is a fast-evolving industry as we develop new technologies and branch out our services. A well-trained workforce is essential for now and will help futureproof businesses.
Elsewhere on the Circuit
Around 10 years ago, Joe Saunders was working for Asset College when his boss Mark Costello took him to an ASIS International breakfast event in Brisbane. The guest speaker that morning was Dr. Gavriel Schneider. This would turn out to be a big moment in Joe's fledgling security career.
As Joe explains. "As I listened to Gav recap his background, I immediately felt an affinity. We'd both got into private security through a fascination and passion for martial arts - in particular a desire to use martial skills to protect others. I also noted that he didn't have a background in policing or the military, and neither did I.
Listening to Gav speak that morning provided me validation that I didn't need a tangentially-related mini-career to be a serious and respected professional in the field I was passionate about. I remember saying to Mark that day "I think I just found what I want to be when I grow up."
It was another 5 years before I reconnected with Gav personally, this time as the program convenor for the ACU Graduate Certificate in Psychology of Risk. Almost exactly 4 years ago we had a conversation and he offered me an opportunity to join R2S and embark upon the craziest professional development opportunity one could imagine.
To now join a global list of "Top Influencers in Security" alongside the bloke who inspired me to travel this path, is pretty dang cool."
Final thoughts with Krisztian Zerkowitz
The below quote is not mine. I had the good fortune to read it and, while teaching a HEAT course, actually saw how it is true and impacts the way I operate and now also teach. Knowledge is only power if it is applied.
Within our industry, many times the discussion has been held about 'knowledge', training, learning and certificates. About the need to be 'operational' and have 'experience'. For me, looking at the above, it is now clear (and I might be a bit slow and behind): You need the knowledge to understand, and you need the experience to apply. Power is not something that can be 'taken' it is earned. Power isn't a title, it is an ability to 'do'. Seek not just to understand; seek to be able to show (read: teach) how it is 'done'.
Until next week...
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