Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - Everything You Need to Know

ASIS International's Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification is a highly advantageous and widely-accepted certification for security professionals who are considering a career in leadership.

Undoubtedly, there are a lot of security professionals out there, and they all claim to be experts because the CPP certification ensures that a professional has achieved the highest possible qualification.

The ASIS CPP certification is a highly coveted designation demonstrating expertise in security management and physical security.

What makes the CPP certification so important? Let's take a closer look at it in this article.

What is ASIS International?

With over 37,000 members, the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) is the world's largest security organization.

The ASIS organization was founded in 1955 to build a community of security professionals who protect organizations' assets, such as people, property, and information.

ASIS members represent almost every industry and organization in the public and private sectors. With members ranging from entry-level managers, security veterans, consultants, and CEOs, ASIS represents a diverse group of professionals around the globe.

Both professionals in the security industry and those interested in working there have the opportunity to earn four different certifications from ASIS.

ASIS offers the following four certifications:

- Associate Protection Professional (APP)

• Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)
• Certified Protection Professional

What is the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification?

The Certification for Protection Professionals (CPP) certification is considered the gold standard among security management professionals. You can demonstrate your professional excellence across a number of domains through this globally recognized certification.

The majority of organizations today seek out security experts to protect their assets. Unfortunately, a lack of trained individuals, corporations, organizations, governmental agencies, and many others constantly puts tangible assets at risk. The CPP certificate enhances your chances of getting hired compared to a non-CPP certificate holder.

More than 12,000 security professionals around the world have obtained the CPP certification, a globally recognized credential. Security professionals can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in seven key security domains through CPP.

The chances of being hired or promoted are higher for security professionals with CPP certification as compared to those who do not have the certification.

Exam Domains

Domain 1: Security Principles and Practices (22%)

• Plan, develop, implement, and manage the organization's security program to protect the organization's assets.
• Develop, manage, or conduct the security risk assessment process.
• Evaluate methods to improve the security program on a continuous basis through the use of auditing, review, and assessment.
• Develop and manage professional relationships with external organizations to achieve security objectives.
• Develop, implement, and manage workforce security awareness programs to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Domain 2: Business Principles and Practices (15%)

• Develop and manage budgets and financial controls to achieve fiscal responsibility.
• Develop, implement, and manage policies, procedures, plans, and directives to achieve organizational objectives.
• Develop procedures/techniques to measure and improve organizational productivity.
• Develop, implement, and manage security staffing processes and personnel development programs in order to achieve organizational objectives.
• Monitor and ensure an acceptable ethical climate in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational culture.
• Develop performance requirements and contractual terms for security vendors/suppliers.

Domain 3: Investigations (9%)

• Identify, develop, implement, and manage investigative operations.
• Manage or conduct the collection, preservation, and disposition of evidence to support investigative actions.
• Manage or conduct surveillance processes.
• Manage and conduct investigations requiring specialized tools, techniques, and resources.
• Manage or conduct investigative interviews.
• Provide support to legal counsel in actual or potential criminal or civil proceedings.

Domain 4: Personnel Security (11%)

• Develop, implement, and manage background investigation processes for hiring, promotion, and retention of individuals.
• Develop, implement, manage, and evaluate policies and procedures to protect individuals in the workplace against human threats (e.g., harassment, violence, active assailant).
• Develop, implement, and manage executive protection programs.

Domain 5: Physical Security (16%)

• Conduct facility surveys to determine the current status of physical security.
• Select, implement, and manage physical security strategies to mitigate security risks.
• Assess the effectiveness of physical security measures by testing and monitoring.

Domain 6: Information Security (14%)

• Conduct surveys to evaluate current status of information security programs.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure information is evaluated and protected against vulnerabilities and threats.
• Implement and manage an integrated information security program

Domain 7: Crisis Management (13%)

• Assess and prioritize threats to mitigate potential consequences of incidents.
• Prepare and plan how the organization respond to incidents.
• Respond to and manage an incident.
• Manage incident recovery and resumption of operations.

Exam Details

A total of 225 questions are included in the CPP exam, including 200 multiple-choice questions with scores and 25 pretest questions. It is necessary to review the pretest items within the time allowed.

As identified by CPPs, the exam covers seven major areas involved in security management in terms of tasks, knowledge, and skills.

Exam Eligibility

The CPP certification requires nine years of experience in security, three of which must be spent in charge of security functions. For those with bachelor's degrees, there is a two-year relaxation.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of management experience in security if they are graduates of an accredited institution of higher education.

Besides meeting educational requirements, candidates should be employed full-time in a security position. On top of that, they must not have a criminal record. According to the Certification Handbook, they must also sign and abide by ASIS's Code of Conduct and policies.

Exam Fees

ASIS members: $550 Non-members: $855

Benefits of earning the CPP certification

Personal achievement: Obtaining a CPP certification will enable you to advance in your career, whether in your current role or if you are looking for new opportunities.

Professional value: The CPP certification shows that you are knowledgeable and skilled, which increases your professional value.

Knowledge: Professionals with the CPP certification are recognized leaders and highly sought-after security professionals since they can prove physical, intellectual, and personnel security competency.

Income: There is no doubt that the CPP certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in the industry, allowing professionals to earn a high-level designation that pays well.

Take the CPP certification and pay after you pass

There is no doubt that the CPP certification adds several benefits to your professional career. Security professionals with several years of relevant experience are qualified to earn CPP, one of the most prestigious designations in the security industry.

If you are looking for a proxy exam center to take the CPP exam, CBT Proxy is here to help you out. We also offer the pay-after-you-pass model, which means you won't be charged until you pass, which is one of the most significant benefits of taking the exam with us.

If you would like to learn more about the process, don't hesitate to get in touch with us, and one of our consultants will be able to guide you accordingly.