What is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)? ANSI.com

• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary Standards and Conformity Assessment System. Founded in 1918, the Institute works in close collaboration with stakeholders from industry and government to identify and develop Standards- and conformance-based solutions to national and global priorities.

​

What is the difference between what the BEPP is doing and what the ASIS Executive Protection Community Steering Committee is doing?

• The ASIS Executive Protection Community Steering Committee is working on what they deem to be a “Best Practices” document.  While they may have intentions of creating a Standard or Guideline, they did not file an application with ANSI-PINS (Project Initiation Notification System). Therefore, while ASIS may have considered developing a Standard or Guideline, they did not take the action needed to do so.

• The project the BEPP has put in motion is an ANSI Standard.  ANSI requires strict inclusion of industry professionals to develop, edit, and vote in agreement of a document before submitting it to ANSI for approval.

​

Can there be two ANSI Standards?

• ANSI rarely, if ever, allows for the creation of competing Standards.  Since the Board of Executive Protection Professionals has formally submitted its intention with ANSI on the PINS portal, this excludes others from filing to create a similar or competing Standard.  

• However, that as part of the ANSI process we intend to work with a broad range of stakeholders (Including ASIS and other industry professionals) to have a proper consensus of the document to be submitted to ANSI for final approval.  

 

Has the BEPP reached out to ASIS in the effort to combine forces.

• Yes, the BEPP did send an invitation to ASIS International and included the Chairman of the Executive Protection Community.  Unfortunately, they respectfully declined our invitation.

• The BEPP has also spoke, in person, to several members of the ASIS International Executive Protection Community in the effort to join forces with the same result.

 

  What makes the BEPP document a Standard?

• The BEPP is the managing body for this process. The array of contributions by industry professionals who participate in developing this document is what renders it eligible to become an ANSI National Standard.

• Standards need to be;

i.Reasonable

ii.Repeatable/Consistent

iii.Clear/Understandable

iv.Measurable

v.Achievable

 

What is the benefit of creating the “Standard for Providing Executive Protection”?

• Having a Standard provides multiple benefits, which include but are not limited to:

i.Commonality and standardizing terms;

ii.Creates continuity in the industry;

iii.Standardized knowledge base for reference;

iv.Creates a verifiable source for EP training;

v.Increased client confidence in the expertise of the individual charged with their protection;

vi.Reduce negative public contacts due to a more comprehensive understanding of the profession.

 

Will the “Standard” cause my previous training at EP schools, military experience, prior security employment to be worthless?   

• “Not necessarily”, and I use the below analogy to explain. 

Analogy:

In business, one can use an accountant/bookkeeper or opt for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  Both can perform virtually the same tasks with some exceptions.  Does the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants eradicate bookkeepers?  No, it does not.  What it does is set a verifiable Standard for those who wish to validate their expertise in the accounting field. It has zero impact on those who wish to be accountants/bookkeepers.

 

The BEPP does not create the Standard.  The BEPP regulates the process, provides guidance for committees, and ensures that bylaws and a system of governance are in place.  The Standard is a result of the 150 industry experts who joined the BEPP and participate in the various committees.  Each committee is chaired by an experienced professional.  As a result of the suggestions and recommendations of the 150 contributors, based on the previous training and experience they have acquired, the Standard is created.

​

EP training schools can continue to create and implement their own curriculum that does not adhere to the Standard.  By contrast, training based on the Standard establishes a base of knowledge that has been peer-reviewed, is validated by ANSI, and adheres to strict document production protocols.  

 

How do I get involved?

• Unfortunately the application period closed December 15th, 2021.  However you can send a CV to info@scg-lv.com for special consideration

 

How long will this process take?

• This undertaking is the first of its type for the Executive Protection Industry. The entire process could take as long as two years to complete.

 

Is a Standard different than individual state licensing requirements?

• This Standard will establish the platform for competently, professionally, and ethically providing this specialized service.  However, it has no connection to individual State or Federal licensing requirements yet.

 

Is this similar to the ASIS Certified Protection Professional Certification (CPP)?

• No, the CPP is a Board Certification that is based on a broad knowledge base from the ASIS Protection of Assets Manual. Those subjects include; 

i.Security Principals and Practices

ii.Business Principles and Practices

iii.Investigations

iv.Personal Security

v.Physical Security 

vi.Information Security 

vii.Crisis Management

 

Will there be a Board Certification for Executive Protection?

• The Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) has partnered with Prometric to develop the first-of-its-kind Board Certification exam for Executive Protection Operations. 

• The objective of the initiative is to create a nationally recognized certification for executive protection.  Passing this exam will award the individual the accreditation of: “Certified Executive Security Operations Professional” CESOP

• Individuals would apply for Certification then schedule to take an exam consisting of multiple-choice questions administered by a designated third-party professional proctor.   

• The designation would be valid for three years.  Individuals would be required to submit documentation of professional development (attending industry-related conferences, workshops, classes, authoring published articles, teaching, etc.) during those three years that would count toward recertification. 

 

If approved, what is the benefit of the Board Certification Designation?

• Increased client confidence in the expertise of the individual hired to protect them;

• Assurance that others who achieve the designation have an advanced body of knowledge and experience;

• Enables organizations to include the designation as a hiring requirement; 

• Expanded career opportunities;

• Increase potential for positions with higher levels of responsibilities;

• Enhanced income;

• Possible reduced general liability insurance premiums;

• Validated to mentor new individuals joining the Executive Protection industry.

• Personal satisfaction of achievement.

​

Please email any specific questions you may have to info@ep-board.org