Becoming An Independent Security Consultant

The demand for security consulting services is at an all-time high. Organizations of all types face unprecedented challenges in dealing with workplace violence, internal and external theft, robbery and crimes of all varieties. These organizations need help in dealing with these challenges, and are reaching out to independent security consultants to assist them. Operating an independent security consulting practice can be a profitable and rewarding business for those with the right skills. Many people retiring from law enforcement, military, or security careers would like to enter the security consulting profession, but don't know how. These people have extensive skills in security and loss prevention, but don't know how to translate these skills into a successful security consulting practice. While they have some idea about the type of services that they would like to provide, they have no idea of how to go about selling these services, what to charge for them, or how to run a profitable security consulting business. It is for these people that this book was written. Within this book, Michael A. Silva, an independent security consultant with over thirty years of experience, provides practical "how-to" advice on how to start and run a successful security consulting practice. Pulling no punches, Michael tells what it takes to be a successful security consultant, and explains why so many new security consultants fail within the first eighteen months. Chapters in this book include: Chapter 1 - What is an Independent Security Consultant? Chapter 2 - A Week in the Life of a Security Consultant Chapter 3 - The Skills needed to be Successful Chapter 4 - Planning Your Consulting Practice Chapter 5 - Determining What and How to Charge Chapter 6 - Selling Security Consulting Services Chapter 7 - Proposal Writing for the Security Consultant Chapter 8 - Selling to Government Agencies Chapter 9 - Selling to Architects and Engineers Chapter 10 - Security Consulting Services That Sell Chapter 11 - Creating a Business Plan Chapter 12 - Taking the Plunge Chapter 13 - Taking Your Practice to the Next Level Chapter 14 - Continuing Education Chapter 15 - Avoiding Pitfalls and Common Mistakes This book is crammed with practical tips based on the actual day-to-day experiences of a working security consultant. Within this book, Michael tells you what works - and more importantly, what doesn't work. This book is specifically written for the person starting a one-person security consulting practice, and answers questions such as: - What types of skills do I need to be successful? - What types of licenses and certifications do I need? - What should I name my business? - Do I need a website? - What types of insurance do I need? - Should I rent an office, or work out of my home? - How much should I charge? - How do I sell my services and get consulting jobs? - How do I write a proposal? - What consulting services should I offer? - How much money do I need to get started? - What steps should I take before I quit my present job? - Can I start my consulting practice part-time while I'm still working? - How do I grow my practice and take it to the next level? - What are some common mistakes made by new consultants and how can I avoid them? About The Author Michael A. Silva is an independent security consultant that has over forty years of security industry experience. Michael founded Silva Consultants, his independent security consulting and design firm, in 1985. In late 2001, Michael suspended the operations of Silva Consultants to accept a position with Kroll, the world's largest security and risk consulting company. From 2001 to 2006, he managed Kroll's security consulting and engineering practice in Seattle, and was responsible for projects throughout Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. In 2007, Michael resigned his position with Kroll and resumed the operations of Silva Consultants.

A crucial reference for the practicing or aspiring design consultant, Security Design Consulting brings you step by step through the process of becoming a security consultant, describing how to start the business, market services, write proposals, determine fees, and write a report. Specific elements of assessment, design and project management services as well as acquiring product and industry knowledge are all covered in detail. Concentrating on client-focused marketing and sales strategies as well as the crucial elements of preparing, running, and succeeding at the security consulting business, Security Design Consulting gives the reader a working knowledge of all the steps necessary to be a successful security design consultant and a smarter business owner. Security directors, architects and security management consultants will also find this reference invaluable in understanding the security design consultant’s important and growing role in an overall security program. * Focuses on consulting in security design, not security management * Provides sample service agreements, specifications, and reports to use as models * Emphasizes the highest technical and ethical standards for this increasingly crucial profession

Since 9/11, business and industry has paid close attention to security within their own organizations. In fact, at no other time in modern history has business and industry been more concerned with security issues. A new concern for security measures to combat potential terrorism, sabotage, theft and disruption -- which could bring any business to it's knees -- has swept the nation. This has opened up a huge opportunity for private investigators and security professionals as consultants. Many retiring law enforcement and security management professionals look to enter the private security consulting market. Security consulting often involves conducting in-depth security surveys so businesses will know exactly where security holes are present and where they need improvement to limit their exposure to various threats. The fourth edition of Security Consulting introduces security and law enforcement professionals to the career and business of security consulting. It provides new and potential consultants with the practical guidelines needed to start up and maintain a successful independent practice. Updated and expanded information is included on marketing, fees and expenses, forensic consulting, the use of computers, and the need for professional growth. Useful sample forms have been updated in addition to new promotion opportunities and keys to conducting research on the Web. The only book of its kind dedicated to beginning a security consulting practice from the ground-up Proven, practical methods to establish and run a security consulting business New chapters dedicated to advice for new consultants, information secutiry consulting, and utilizing the power of the Internet The most up-to-date best practices from the IAPSC

A compendium of essential information for the modern security entrepreneur and practitioner The modern security practitioner has shifted from a predominantly protective site and assets manager to a leading contributor to overall organisational resilience. Accordingly, The Security Consultant's Handbook sets out a holistic overview of the essential core knowledge, emerging opportunities and approaches to corporate thinking that are increasingly demanded by employers and buyers in the security market. This book provides essential direction for those who want to succeed in security, either individually or as part of a team. It also aims to stimulate some fresh ideas and provide new market routes for security professionals who may feel that they are underappreciated and overexerted in traditional business domains. Product overview Distilling the author’s fifteen years’ experience as a security practitioner, and incorporating the results of some fifty interviews with leading security practitioners and a review of a wide range of supporting business literature, The Security Consultant’s Handbook provides a wealth of knowledge for the modern security practitioner, covering: Entrepreneurial practice (including business intelligence, intellectual property rights, emerging markets, business funding and business networking)Management practice (including the security function’s move from basement to boardroom, fitting security into the wider context of organisational resilience, security management leadership, adding value and professional proficiency)Legislation and regulation (including relevant UK and international laws such as the Human Rights Act 1998, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Geneva Conventions)Private investigations (including surveillance techniques, tracing missing people, witness statements and evidence, and surveillance and the law)Information and cyber security (including why information needs protection, intelligence and espionage, cyber security threats, and mitigation approaches such as the ISO 27001 standard for information security management)Protective security (including risk assessment methods, person-focused threat assessments, protective security roles, piracy and firearms)Safer business travel (including government assistance, safety tips, responding to crime, kidnapping, protective approaches to travel security and corporate liability)Personal and organisational resilience (including workplace initiatives, crisis management, and international standards such as ISO 22320, ISO 22301 and PAS 200) Featuring case studies, checklists and helpful chapter summaries, The Security Consultant's Handbook aims to be a practical and enabling guide for security officers and contractors. Its purpose is to plug information gaps or provoke new ideas, and provide a real-world support tool for those who want to offer their clients safe, proportionate and value-driven security services. About the author Richard Bingley is a senior lecturer in security and organisational resilience at Buckinghamshire New University, and co-founder of CSARN, the popular business security advisory network. He has more than fifteen years’ experience in a range of high-profile security and communications roles, including as a close protection operative at London’s 2012 Olympics and in Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. He is a licensed close protection operative in the UK, and holds a postgraduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher education. Richard is the author of two previous books: Arms Trade: Just the Facts(2003) and Terrorism: Just the Facts (2004).

"Today's business owner is facing a new set of challenges to provide for a safe and secure business environment. But the prudent business owner has only to look to the professional security consultant for assistance in developing strategies to achieve that goal. This unique book provides the private investigator with the information to become a proactive partner with the business owner in enhancing the safety and security within the business. The text includes information pertaining to the legal ramifications of negligent security claims; how to ensure employees are whom they claim to be; optimum utilization of security personnel and electronic security devices and systems; development of relevant security-related policies and procedures; and supervision and management controls. The book's 34 chapters are written in a very clear and concise style and include such topics as: elements of premises liability and negligent security, inadequate security, adequate background investigations, qualifications of a security force, warehouse and cargo security, successful business marketing, armed or unarmed status, separating high-risk employees, workplace violence programs, officer training, preventing internal theft and fraud, employing subcontractors, home and personal safety, guard post orders, parking lot lighting, home security weaknesses, preparation for litigation, crisis management guidelines, convenience store security, protecting human assets, and developing a business safety and security plan"--

Strategic Security Management, Second Edition provides security leadership and decision-makers with a fresh perspective on threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment. The book offers a framework to look at applying security analysis and theory into practice for effective security program, implementation, management and evaluation. Chapters examine metric-based security resource allocation of countermeasures, including security procedures, utilization of personnel, and electronic measures. The new edition is fully updated to reflect the latest industry best-practices and includes contributions from security industry leaders—based on their years of professional experience—including Norman Bates, Robert Emery, Jack Follis, Steve Kaufer, Andrew Rubin, Michael Silva, and Ken Wheatley. Strategic Security Management, Second Edition will be a welcome addition to the security literature for all security professionals, security managers, and criminal justice students interested in understanding foundational security principles and their application.

Whether you want to break into information security, move from one job to another, or transition into management, Breaking into Information Security will help. No other book surveys all the different jobs available in the industry, frankly discusses the positives and negatives of each, and what you need to learn to get into and out of each role. Unlike books that focus on a specific skill set or on how to gain a certification or get a job, this book encompasses the "big picture," including why certifications, if any, are worthwhile for you. In a profession where new career paths aren’t always clear, Breaking into Information Security will teach you how to identify where you are in your career today, understand where you wish to go, and provide proven methods to get there. From entry-level jobs to the extremely specific skills needed to be an InfoSec consultant, this book covers it all, including in-job skill building, working within the community, and building your skills after hours. If you are seeking to advance in the highly competitive field of information security, this book will give you the edge you need to break in. The most practical guide to starting your career in information security, or advancing to the next level Presented in a “level-up gaming framework for career progression, with a “Learn, Do, Teach approach through three tiers of InfoSec jobs Provides examples of specific roles and career paths in each job tier so you can identify and max out skills for the role you want Learn how to advance to management and training roles, as well as the specific skills you need to become an independent consultant Find out about career "booster paths" to help you advance your career at high speed

Women in the Security Profession: A Practical Guide for Career Development is a resource for women considering a career in security, or for those seeking to advance to its highest levels of management. It provides a historical perspective on how women have evolved in the industry, as well as providing real-world tips and insights on how they can help shape its future. The comprehensive text helps women navigate their security careers, providing information on the educational requirements necessary to secure the wide-ranging positions in today’s security field. Women in the Security Profession describes available development opportunities, offering guidance from experienced women professionals who have risen through the ranks of different security sectors. Features career profiles and case studies, including interviews with women in the industry, providing a deeper dive inside some exciting and rewarding careers in security Provides a history of women in security, and an exploration of both current and expected trends Offers experienced advice on how to resolve specific biases and issues relating to gender