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| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) GENERAL INFORMATION How do I join ASIS? Individuals interested in joining ASIS may apply for membership online, or by completing a PDF version of the membership application and faxing it to 703.519.6298 or mailing it to: ASIS International, 1625 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, or by calling Member Services at 703.519.6200 and requesting an application be mailed to you. Membership approval takes approximately one week. What does ASIS stand for? Founded in 1955 as the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), the organization officially changed its name in 2002 to ASIS International. This new name preserves our history while better reflecting the growth and expansion of the society to more than 35,000 members around the world, covering a wide array of services and specialties within the security industry. In conjunction with the name change, the ASIS Board of Directors adopted a new logo that symbolized inclusiveness and forward-thinking, along with the tag line Advancing Security Worldwide. What is your Federal Tax ID Number? The Federal Tax ID Number for ASIS International is 53-0234507. The Federal Tax ID Number for the ASIS Foundation is 52-0848090. Is ASIS a non-profit? ASIS International, a not-for-profit organization, disseminates information and educational materials to enhance security knowledge, practice and performance. ASIS International is classified under IRS section 501(c)(6), which is described as a professional association. Contributions or gifts to ASIS International are not deductible as charitable contributions. Dues payments and other educational purchases may be deductible as ordinary business expenses. The ASIS Foundation, a non-profit organization, operates as a research and educational organization. It undertakes programs and projects for advancement of professional standards and effective programs in the field of security protection and loss prevention. ASIS Foundation is classified under IRS section 501(c)(3), which is described as a charitable organization. Contributions or gifts to ASIS Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. How much of my membership dues are tax-deductible as a business expense? ASIS estimates that all but 15.9 percent of its 2009 member dues (and 18.2 percent of its 2008 member dues) are tax deductible as a result of the organization's lobbying activities on behalf of our members. Can I buy your mailing list? The ASIS mailing list is available for a fee only to companies that meet minimum requirements that include exhibiting at the ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits, or advertising in ASIS publications. If there is no previous relationship with ASIS, then the mailing list cannot be made available. For specific details and eligibility requirements, please contact marketing@asisonline.org. How can I find out about career opportunities in security? The ASIS Career Center enables ASIS members to use their member password to search current job openings. The ASIS publication, Career Opportunities in Security (pdf), provides additional information on trends and developments in security industry careers. LOGO USAGE May I use the ASIS logo on my business cards and/or company brochure or website? No. As stated in Policy 1070 of the ASIS Policies and Procedures Manual, the ASIS Board of Directors has specified that the logo may be used by the organization only, and may not be used for any commercial venture, including personal business cards, company brochures or Web sites. In addition, because ASIS is an individual-based, not company-based, association, it would be improper to depict the ASIS logo in a way that might suggest that any company was a member of ASIS. You may, however, state in writing that you are a member of ASIS International. Where can I find information on the proper use of the logo for my council or local chapter? Volunteer leaders seeking information on the appropriate use of the ASIS logo may log in to access the Graphics Usage Guide. Information is provided on a wide variety of logo usage issues, including stationary guidelines, when to use the official graphic and tagline, using logos in collateral and advertising, and incorporating country and region names in the logo. Instructions for Web use are also included. May I use the ASIS logo if I am an exhibitor at the Seminar? No. We do, however, welcome your use of the Seminar logo. It is downloadable from the Seminar section of the ASIS Web site and is usually available six months prior to the Seminar. CERTIFICATIONS - CREDENTIALS Are certification and licensure the same thing? Certifications and licenses are NOT the same. A license is issued by a government and allows one to practice a profession. In fact, it may be a criminal act to practice without a license. Though typically not required by law, certification lets the public know that a practitioner has been professionally recognized by a credentialing agency. It is also a sign of support for the profession and the standards set by the credentialing organization. How do I determine which certification is best for me? There is no one way to determine which (if any) ASIS certification suits you. That said, the CPP™ is designed for security managers, the PCI™ is designed for investigators, and the PSP™ is designed for those in the physical security field. I have already successfully obtained one ASIS certification. Is it necessary to apply for one or both of the other designations as well? Since each of the three certifications are designed for a specific type of security professional (security manager, investigator, and physical security professional), in general only one will be right for you. There are, however, people who have chosen to obtain more than one ASIS designation. Typically these are CPPs™ who want to demonstrate not only security management expertise, but also specific, specialized knowledge of physical security or investigations. I have a great deal of experience in security management/investigations/physical security. Why do I have to take an examination to prove my competence? The Professional Certification Board (PCB) feels strongly that examination is an essential component of our certifications. The CPP™, PCI™, and PSP™ exams were designed by qualified test development professionals and according to internationally accepted procedures. Just as important, security management, investigations, and physical security professionals determined the questions and contents of the exams, so that the tests accurately reflect the knowledge and skills of prized in the security industry. Furthermore, the practice of awarding certifications through experience alone is not accepted by accrediting organizations in the certification field, and ASIS wishes to maintain the highest possible credibility for its certification programs. Does the fact that more individuals are obtaining ASIS certifications dilute their value? The value of our certifications will not be diluted as long as the knowledge measured and the scoring parameters are consistent from year to year. The most likely effect of more individuals holding the designations is a greater public awareness of the meaning of the designation and the recognition of its value by security professionals like you. Does ASIS plan to introduce any other certifications in the near future? At present, ASIS and the Professional Certification Board are concentrating on promoting and supporting the CPP™, PCI™, and PSP™ designations. Preparing new certifications takes an enormous amount of time and effort to develop the areas for testing, identify references, create and validate questions, etc. A large number of potential exam candidates is also a requirement, of course. Many people have suggested that ASIS should offer certifications in the rapidly growing computer/network security field. Our research into computer security indicates that there are several successful organizations and certifications already in existence. At this time it would be difficult to provide a new and unique certification in the computer security arena when so much is already in place. Does ASIS include other organizations' credentials when listing speakers? Yes. ASIS includes other organizations' credentials when listing speakers in promotional materials for our educational programs and annual Seminar. Although the Seminar's educational sessions are presented by a high preponderance of CPPs™ and those with other ASIS credentials, we do recognize other security or professional designations. We believe that security-related credentials enhance the authority of the speaker and help attract attendees to a session because of the demonstrated competence that the credential implies. ASIS also includes information in narrative form about other credentials earned when a member submits that information to Dynamics, our bi-monthly newsletter. With regard to listing other certifications in the ASIS membership directory, we include only our own credentials, as there is no way to validate the accuracy of the information. We have begun, however, to collect information about non-ASIS certifications on our membership application. I didn't receive a confirmation email from ASIS after I submitted my certification application online. Did it go through? After receiving an application online for the CPP™, PCI™, or PSP™ examinations, the system should send you two emails. One will be a receipt of payment, and the other a list of your submissions. If you do not receive these emails, either the system does not have your correct email address or the application did not go through. Please contact the certification program office if you have any questions or problems related to online applications. Who should I contact if I'm having trouble accessing modules for the CPP™ Online Review Program for which I registered? BP Technologies should be contacted directly with all access problems for the online review course. They can be reached at 860.828.5650. ASIS GUIDELINES How can I become involved in the Guidelines process? The two main ways to become involved are by participation on a Guidelines Committee or by providing comments on a draft guideline. When a new guideline project is initiated, the Commission on Guidelines sends a notice to all ASIS Councils and ASIS members via the monthly Quick Links, posts the notice on the ASIS main page and guidelines Web page, and notifies organizations that would find the subject of the guideline to be relevant to their focus and mission. The notice is typically available for 60 days and people interested in serving on the Committee are asked to complete an application during that time frame. After all applications are received, the Commission determines the composition of the Committee, keeping in mind various factors including the applicant's knowledge of the subject of the guideline, past experience working on and/or crafting guidelines/standards, establishing diversity within the Committee, and support from the applicant's employer. After a Committee submits its final draft guideline to the Commission and the Commission approves it, the draft will be placed on the ASIS Guidelines Web site for a public review and comment period of 60 days. Notice is given in the same manner as above. Comments must be submitted on the ASIS Guidelines Comment Form. After the comment period has expired, the Committee will evaluate all comments and make recommendations regarding whether the guideline should be further modified. These recommendations are submitted to the Commission. The Commission makes the ultimate decisions regarding each comment's disposition. What does the Guidelines Designation Award by DHS mean? This Designation is significant in three ways in that it: (1) establishes that ASIS guidelines are qualified to be a 'technology' that could reduce the risks or effects of terrorism, (2) limits ASIS' liability for acts arising out of the use of the guidelines in connection with an act of terrorism, and (3) precludes claims of third party damages against organizations using the guidelines as a means to prevent or limit the scope of terrorist acts. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Where can I find a listing of all the ASIS programs for the year? A calendar listing of all ASIS programs is available at http://www.asisonline.org/store/calendar.xml. How do I become a speaker for an ASIS conference (Seminar, European Conference, Emerging Trends)? Submit an abstract of the speech online. All presentations are peer-reviewed by a committee of ASIS members which convenes annually, prior to each event, and selects speakers. What is the ASIS Speakers Bureau listed on the ASIS Web site? The ASIS (online) Speakers Bureau lists people who have participated as speakers in ASIS events, educational programs and the Annual Seminar and received at least a 3.50 rating or higher on their session evaluations-based on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being excellent). The database at present contains approximately 2700 listings, ranging from 23 November 1995, to present. The Speakers Bureau is accessible from the Volunteer Leadership section of the Web site and is password-protected. Should you need a suggestion and not have access to this section, please call Susan Melnicove at 703-518-1420. MEMBERSHIP Do you offer corporate memberships? No, ASIS is a society of individual members. How can I update my member contact information if I change jobs or move? Members can update their information online after logging in with their user ID and password. Changes can also be sent to Member Services via fax at (703) 519-6299 or email at asis@asisonline.org. How do I change chapters? Send an email to asis@asisonline.org indicating which chapter you wish to transfer your affiliation to, and it will be changed in the ASIS database. Does ASIS provide liability insurance? ASIS International does not have a professional liability insurance program or other such insurance programs for members. How do I join a council? You will need to submit an application. The council will then contact you directly to discuss the process for joining that particular council. Please remember that serving on a council is a working position, not an honorary one. ASIS PUBLICATIONS Where should I send press releases about my company, organization or products? Press releases on company/organization and/or product news should be sent to Sherry Harowitz, Editor-in-Chief, Security Management, at sharowitz@asisonline.org. How do I send ASIS member-related news into Dynamics? Information on individual members, chapters, and councils, as well as short articles about special events - other than on the chapter level - should be sent to Ann Longmore-Etheridge, Editor, Dynamics, at aetheridge@asisonline.org. Photos are welcomed with all submissions. How do I submit an article for Security Management? Instructions for writing and submitting an article for Security Management are provided in the Writer's Guidelines found along the left-hand navigator on www.securitymanagement.com. All articles should be submitted directly to Sherry Harowitz, Editor-in-Chief, Security Management, at sharowitz@asisonline.org. CONTACT EMAILS FOR SPECIFIC INQUIRIES AT ASIS Generic member and non-member questions: asis@asisonline.org Certification issues: certification@asisonline.org Council issues: councils@asisonline.org Education issues: education@asisonline.org Exhibits issues: exhibits@asisonline.org ASIS Foundation queries: foundation@asisonline.org Information /Research requests for Information Resources Center: info@asisonline.org Marketing issues: marketing@asisonline.org Public Relations queries or issues dealing with the media: pr@asisonline.org Inquiries about ASIS job postings: recruitment@asisonline.org Inquiries about POA Manual: protectionofassets@asisonline.org Inquiries about Security Industry Buyers Guide: buyersguide@asisonline.org Inquiries about SIBG Salary Survey: salarysurvey@asisonline.org Inquiries about Security Management Daily and Weekly Newsletters: smdailyweekly@asisonline.org |
