Security Design Consulting

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

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.

This important reference from the American Institute of Architects provides architects and other design professionals with the guidance they need to plan for security in both new and existing facilities Security is one of the many design considerations that architects must address and in the wake of the September 11th 2001 events, it has gained a great deal of attention This book emphasises basic concepts and provides the architect with enough information to conduct an assessment of client needs as well as work with consultants who specialise in implementing security measures. Included are chapters on defining security needs, understanding threats, blast mitigation, building systems, facility operations and biochemical protection. * Important reference on a design consideration that is growing in importance * Provides architects with the fundamental knowledge they need to work with clients and with security consultants * Includes guidelines for conducting client security assessments * Best practices section shows how security can be integrated into design solutions * Contributors to the book represent an impressive body of knowledge and specialise in areas such as crime prevention, blast mitigation, and biological protection

Integrated Security Systems Design, 2nd Edition, is recognized as the industry-leading book on the subject of security systems design. It explains how to design a fully integrated security system that ties together numerous subsystems into one complete, highly coordinated, and highly functional system. With a flexible and scalable enterprise-level system, security decision makers can make better informed decisions when incidents occur and improve their operational efficiencies in ways never before possible. The revised edition covers why designing an integrated security system is essential and how to lead the project to success. With new and expanded coverage of network architecture, physical security information management (PSIM) systems, camera technologies, and integration with the Business Information Management Network, Integrated Security Systems Design, 2nd Edition, shows how to improve a security program’s overall effectiveness while avoiding pitfalls and potential lawsuits. Guides the reader through the strategic, technical, and tactical aspects of the design process for a complete understanding of integrated digital security system design. Covers the fundamentals as well as special design considerations such as radio frequency systems and interfacing with legacy systems or emerging technologies. Demonstrates how to maximize safety while reducing liability and operating costs.

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

Integrated Security Systems Design is a one-stop resource for security directors, consultants, engineers and installation managers who are interested in providing the best possible security while saving millions in improved operations efficiency. An integrated security system is a system that has been incorporated into other programs (such as Access Control, Private Branch Exchanges, Human Relations, Security Video, and Intercommunications) to perform tasks in a manner consistent with corporate or agency policies and procedures. This book explains how to accomplish such integration, thereby saving a company both time and money. Integrated Security Systems Design is arranged to go from the strategic to the technical to the tactical. The strategic section covers the why of design, the technical section explains how it’s done, and the tactical section provides the cultural knowledge that leads to project success. Norman also offers guidance in avoiding pitfalls out of which legal action have arisen. Many of the subjects covered, such as how to make a security system invisible on an Information Technology System network, include material not available in any other book. * Centralize monitoring of security, of business processes and of adherence to policy * Learn the what-not-to-do's of security design from an experienced practitioner * Maximize your organization's safety while reducing liability and operating costs

Security technology convergence, which refers to the incorporation of computing, networking, and communications technologies into electronic physical security systems, was first introduced in the 1970s with the advent of computer-based access control and alarm systems. As the pace of information technology (IT) advances continued to accelerate, the physical security industry continued to lag behind IT advances by at least two to three years. Security Technology Convergence Insights explores this sometimes problematic convergence of physical security technology and information technology and its impact on security departments, IT departments, vendors, and management. Includes material culled directly from author's column in Security Technology Executive Easy-to-read question and answer format Includes real-world examples to enhance key lessons learned