The Security Professional

There is an often-made distinction between those working in a profession and professionals. For example, all bank employees work in the banking profession, but only certain employees are called banking professionals. Those who are regarded as professionals are usually more influential within their profession and within the broader community in which they practice. What characteristics define a professional? Can safeguards and security practitioners achieve recognition as “professionals?” How? Is it important if we do? This paper will expand on these questions and present some aspects of professionalism as they might apply to safeguards and security practitioners.