Security Officer's School -- Level 1
Overview
Security isn't just about alarms, cameras, robbery procedures and filing Suspicious Activity Reports any longer. Security is the evolutionary process through which we provide a safe and secure environment for our employees to work and our customers to do business. While the institution's Security Officer doesn't need to hold a full-time position, the appointed Security Officer will likely be held to the same professional performance standards as a dedicated, full-time Security Officer.
The Security Officer's School - Level 1 is designed to educate the Security Officer about security-related requirements contained in the Bank Protection Act, Regulation H and other, related state and federal regulations. The Bank Protection Act serves as the foundation for the development and implementation of the institution's Security Program. The Security Officer's and the institution's Board of Directors' understanding of the Act's provisions is critical in averting or minimizing losses -- and the resulting civil and criminal liability -- from all sources.
Federal and state regulations (which may have more requirements) require that the Board of Directors of every institution -- banks, credit unions and thrifts -- insure that:
l A Security Officer has been appointed to manage the Security Program
l The Security Program is available in written form
l Each facility is equipped with appropriate security devices
l Appropriate security policies and procedures have been developed and implemented to discourage robberies, burglaries, and larcenies -- and to assist in identifying and apprehending persons who commit such acts
l A training program is developed for and delivered to officers and employees about their responsibilities under the Security Program and in proper employee conduct during and after a robbery, burglary or larceny
l The Security Officer report at least annually to the Board of Directors on the implementation, administration, and effectiveness of the Security Program
This isn't an ordinary job and it's not for everyone. The Security Officer's position needs to be filled by a person who has the special skills to do it right -- skills that are acquired through training, education and experience. Traditionally, the Security Department is one of the least appreciated, most misunderstood and frequently maligned functions within the institution. Used appropriately, however, the Security Department may play a unique and pivotal role in the institution's overall profitability and success.
Mission Statement
The Security Officer's School -- Level 1's mission is to:
l Provide a basic, initial and standardized training program that is appropriate for the professional Security Officer, regardless of the geographical location or the type of financial institution involved. Banks, credit unions and thrifts all share the same security practices, regardless of the regulations involved. This program focuses upon the development of core competencies regarding:
¡ Industry-standard security practices
¡ Personal and corporate security and safety awareness
¡ The compliance with regulatory and legal issues
¡ The successful implementation and management of an institution-wide security function
l Define the basic role, duties, authority and responsibilities of the professional Security Officer. Among other requirements, The Bank Protection Act, Regulation H and other, related state and federal regulations require that the Security Officer must develop a written Security Program that effectively:
¡ Prevents crimes and other incidents likely to result in an increased risk to the institution's employees, customers, facilities, assets and records
¡ Assists with the identification of persons responsible for criminal acts and policy violations
¡ Assists with the apprehension of those offenders
¡ Assists with the prosecution of offenders in both civil and criminal actions
¡ Assists with the recovery of lost funds and property
l Establish an on-going program of instruction that will satisfy the continuing education requirements of various disciplines including:
¡ Security Officers
¡ Compliance Officers
¡ Human Resource Managers
¡ Auditors
¡ Training Managers
l Using a comprehensive workbook, provide a basic and practical reference tool and appropriate resources available for further study
l Provide a program of basic instruction that will serve as a preparatory base for attending Security Officer's School - Level 2
Course Content
The Security Officer's School - Level 1 addresses the increasing attention that examiners are focusing upon the security function -- allowing more time for participants to gain insight into the core components of security-related regulations and practices. The program is designed to give both the new and the experienced Security Officer an educational program that:
l Provides him/her with a critical resource for receiving timely and continuing security education
l Will expose him/her to established and emerging "industry-standard" security practices
l Enhances his/her credibility with peers and with the Board of Directors
l Encourages him/her to continue a personal and professional development path
l May reduce his/her considerable personal, corporate, civil and criminal liability
Focusing upon the basic, core topics involving financial institution security, the Security Officer's School - Level 1 provides instruction, discussion and experiential learning opportunities for all participants. Security professionals will share their security and loss prevention strategies that will potentially save the institution losses in time, resources and money. Participants have significant opportunities to discuss mutual security and loss prevention issues -- and their solutions. Participants return to their institutions with valuable knowledge to share with other business unit managers and with the Board of Directors. The 3-day/12 segment program presents information in several segments, including:
l Security Officer: An Orientation (1 block)
l Security Officer: Laws, Rules & Regulations (1 block)
l Security Officer: The Department (1 block)
l Security Officer: The Security Officer's Role (1 block)
l Security Training: Robbery Prevention, Response & Aftermath Techniques (4 blocks)
l Security Focus Group: Hypothetical Problem-Solving Scenarios (2 blocks)
l Security Risk Assessment: Conducting A Security Review & Preparing Your Annual Security Program Report (2 blocks)
Last updated on January 30, 2009
