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Security consultants advise on protecting digital assets, physical property, and personal safety. They perform risk assessments, develop plans, and provide training. Certification has stringent requirements and prohibits conflicts of interest. Former hackers may enter the profession.
Security consultants are professionals who advise businesses and individuals on the best ways to protect digital assets, physical property and personal safety. Risk assessment is a big part of the job. Consultants will implement a plan for the client to install technology or revamp procedures to meet its security needs. There are numerous fields in which the consultant can work. Certification as a security consultant has stringent requirements, is subject to renewal, and requires regular skills refresher.
The first thing security consultants will do is meet with customers and discuss concerns. They will perform risk assessments detailing weak areas in computer security or personnel risks. Some companies offer employee training that involves mail handling, personal security, and building access. Different industries have special needs, such as healthcare facilities, whose physical plants are open to the public in many areas.
Security consultants are highly sought after by school systems and companies with large digital databases. Both jobs are highly specialized, and schools will have different needs than businesses when it comes to accessing and privatizing personal information. The job carries a lot of pressure, as a security breach will reflect poorly on the consultant who designed the system.
Agriculture and food manufacturers, as well as oil, gas and chemical facilities, can hire safety consultants to ensure their materials are not compromised. A good system will protect against both internal and external theft, as well as safe storage, transport and receipt, in order to avoid dangerous activities for the consumers of the product. Terrorism directed at these industries is a primary consideration.
Security consultants also develop emergency response plans for clients. They start with threat assessment and develop processes for designated individuals within the company to implement in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. The consulting firm will also provide training to establish response procedures. Preventive measures and the reduction of consequences are addressed.
Some computer security consultants are former hackers who entered the profession after seeing firsthand how vulnerable companies are to data theft. If they have been convicted of a crime, they are not eligible for certification through the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). A degree in computer science is helpful in obtaining this job. Engineering degrees and CAD experience are useful for designing intrusion detection systems and surveillance systems as well as access control.
IAPSC requires a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience or at least eight years of experience to earn a security consultant certification. Candidates must sign a declaration pledging their independence from any particular vendor and may not sell or endorse specific products. This is to ensure that there is no conflict of interest and that the consultants are working in the best interests of the client. Criminal or civil investigators are not eligible.
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