Security exam proves knowledge of Fort’s security personnel

More than 20 personnel on Fort Huachuca were notified of their passing Security Fundamentals Professional Certification scores recently.

“The Security Fundamentals Professional Certification serves as a valid and reliable indicator of a security practitioner’s understanding of facts, concepts and principles the Department of Defense security community deems critical to successfully perform functions, implement programs and pursue missions necessary to manage risks to and protect DoD assets,” according to a Security Professional Education Development fact sheet.

The SFPC is the first of four certifications within the SPeD Certification Program.

“This test has only been out about a year, it is a new initiative by DoD to certify security people, said Garrison Security Manager Monica Lake. “I have worked in the security field for a long time, and I like to study and learn, so this seemed like a validation of what I have learned, something concrete to say I have studied, I have done the job, and I am competent.” Lake plans to take all of the exams, “I want to go all the way through as many certifications as I can get.”

The SFPC training consisted of a two-week course that was not required to take followed by a two-hour exam. The exam had more than 100 questions covering five security disciplines: personnel, general, information, industrial and SCI security.

“The benefits are the satisfaction of knowing you have reached a pinnacle and crossed a barrier towards becoming well rounded in your field,” Lake said. A ceremony to recognize nine of the recipients was held April 30, where they were presented with their certificates by SES Jerry Proctor, deputy to the commanding general.

To obtain the SFPC, a person must hold a DoD position that requires certification or move to a position identified as a certified position, or be designated by your employing DoD component as an eligible applicant for the certification, according to the SPED fact sheet.

The SFPC is open to all personnel affiliated with a federal agency and/or the National Security Program. Individuals willing to voluntarily submit to and subsequently meet the pre-defined SFPC program requirements can earn the SFPC.

“It’s a combination of years and years of training, duties within security; it kind of puts it all together, gives you something that makes you stand out against other security folks that don’t have one,” said Terry Koch, brigade S2, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade. “I plan to take all of the exams. Education is always important to continue in the security field. It sets you up for better opportunities; the Air Force uses this in all their security jobs,” Koch said.

“This brings all my certificates together into one certificate. It is an individual achievement,” Koch added.

“I didn’t learn anything new before the test; it is what we knew already. Now it makes us more marketable, and people have a little bit more respect. Those who are aware of it, they go, ‘ok, if you can pass this test then you must know something.’”As opposed to a lot of people who just say they know what they are doing,” said Linnea Rosengarten, assistant S2, 111th Military Intelligence Bde., who took the exam and received her credentials.

“The SPeD Certification helps security professionals to provide a common standard to measure requirements for a position, demonstrates success and mastery of knowledge, skills and abilities required by a security professional, provides a recognized credential that is transferable throughout the DoD and facilitates interoperability among DoD security practitioners,” said SPeD brochure.

“The DoD realized security personnel needed to be credentialed much like information assurance people are credentialed, and there wasn’t anything to support that so they came up with the SPeD,” said James Young, G2 PHYSEC/COMSEC/ATFP officer.

“It will be required that all security professionals are certified or credentialed through this program in the future. We had the opportunity to be ahead and be some of the first people to take the exam.  It is the way of the future. I think we are looking at FY 9fiscal) 2013 to make it a requirement for everyone,” Young added.

DoD contractors are also eligible for the SFPC.

For more information, http://www.dss.mil/seta/sped/sped.html.