ARIS is the Association of Security Professionals in the Republic of Romania, and exists to promote professionalism among security practitioners in the country (while also ensuring that persons and corporate entities offering commercial security services including security guarding, intruder alarm and CCTV services” adhere to the correct standards).
In days gone by, ARIS enjoyed close ties with the International Institute of Security which, of course, has now merged with The Security Institute to create a body that’s really pushing hard for Chartered status for professional security practitioners in the UK.
Assistance, guidance, support
The increase in trade throughout the world – and specifically in multinational commercial activities requiring the protection of assets and property – has led both organisations to conclude that it’s in their mutual interest to join forces and offer assistance, guidance and support.
Present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in The SMT SELECT Lounge were Justin Bentley (IPSA’s chief executive), Gabriel Mihai Badea (chairman and CEO at Global Security Systems and chairman of ARIS), IPSA International Council member Simon Smith and Brian Sims, the Editor of SMT Online.
“We’re pledging to co-operate in any way appropriate and desirable in order to promote and foster each other’s aims and objectives,” commented Bentley. “We want to work on proposals to unify security matters across the EU without having the politicians do it for us. That’s to everyone’s benefit in the security profession.”
In practice, each party may offer assistance to its partner organisation in relation to the education of members, their training and/or professional development and the assessment and inspection of corporate bodies.
IPSA: back in the spotlight
IPSA has really hit the headlines in a positive way of late, having come into being back in 1958 “for the sole purpose of encouraging professionalism in the provision of security services, whether in the public or private sector”.
The chief executive has been hugely proactive, offering salient comment and advice on a number of issues (including the current state of play regarding the Approved Contractor Scheme).
“As part of this agreement,” continued Bentley, “we want to work with third parties including associations, guilds, chambers or institutes such that we can develop and promote professionalism, and at the same time distinguish those bodies and personnel that raise the status of security both progressively and on the international stage.”
Bentley pointed out that 20% of IPSA’s membership resides outside of the UK. “Security professionals are moving swiftly between nations within the global community,” he stated. “It’s useful to visit a country and know that there are practitioners there upon whom you can rely for salient and useful information.”