The general assumption would be no, unless there is a statutory or legal requirement to do so. But lawyers representing the parents of a young man shot dead as he was closing a restaurant at a US retail and leisure complex last year think differently. They have filed a lawsuit alleging security negligence against the complex's owners. The complex, for its part, has responded with plans to upgrade its cameras to provide facial recording and number plate recognition.
This case raises some interesting issues for security professionals. Was the complex prior to the incident the subject of a security review, and was this carried out by a qualified (certified) security professional. The security profession is awash with individuals offering such services, but precious few are formally qualified to do this work.
In the case of litigation, where does the buck stop? With an establishment that contracts in an unqualified consultant to carry out a security review? Or with the consultant himself, or herself, in promoting professional services without professional certification?
In the UK, many leading security consultancy companies have foreseen this litigation exposure, and are busy getting their consultants professionally credentialed by undertaking either the ASIS CPP or PSP certification. For more information on how to certify as a security professional, contact David.
