One of the newest CSyP is Irishman Garry Bergin, pictured, who was among the diners at the annual dinner of Chartered Security Professionals, at St Ermin’s Hotel in central London – more words and pictures on that night in the November print edition of Professional Security Magazine. Garry was also a visitor to the Security TWENTY show at Blanchardstown, Dublin, in September. Here he explains how he came to be Chartered, and why.
Describe your early years in the security and the people who helped you get started?
In 1998, I entered the security industry by working as a door supervisor at a local nightclub while also employed full-time by a major sporting goods retailer. In the company of other martial artists, I learned the value of effective communication as a means of negotiation and de-escalation. Within a short amount of time, I worked my way up to regional security manager. I started working for security firms back in 2009. My background is as an operations manager in high-end retail, international data centres, and public sector contracts. Then I left that company in 2011 for a higher-ranking position at another major security firm. Thanks to the inspiring colleagues and patrons I met at the PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland], Ulster Bank, and the European Commission, I am now firmly set on a career in the security sector. In 2014, I made a pivotal career move by accepting a position with Manguard Plus as their Commercial Manager and Security Consultant.
How has learning and development played a part in your career? Describe the role that continued education and training played in helping you succeed in your chosen field.
I developed a huge desire to reinforce my years of experience within the industry with third level academia. My employers embraced my enthusiasm to learn, and I received massive support in my endeavours. In 2018 I completed an MSc in Security Management at Portsmouth University. On completing my Master’s degree, I approached the owner of the company, Sean Hall, with my proposal to undergo a doctorate; within 90 seconds of a conversation, he agreed to fully fund my professional doctorate, something I will be eternally grateful for. Blending studies with work is a mammoth task. However, I now work with amazingly talented and experienced people who allow me to grow with the business, which I am happy to say is on a massive upward trajectory.
Tell me about your motivations for pursuing the CSyP credential.
Despite starting college at 40 years old, I have always had the mentality of trying to surpass my own previous best. The ASIS CPP certification is seen as the industry standard when interacting with American data centres in Ireland. Due to the CSyP’s prominence in the UK and European security sectors, I felt compelled to work toward it. The fact that the CSyP is also a peer-reviewed process was a major selling point for me; a quick glance at the CSyP register will show you the calibre of my colleagues in this field.
What impact has having the Chartered Security Professional designation had on your career?
Because of the CSyP, I now have much more leverage in the eyes of my clients in the security industry in Ireland and the UK. The CSyP has served as a benchmark for the professionalisation of the industry, much like the ‘Chartered’ designation does in other fields.
Tell me how having the CSP designation has helped you professionally.
The CSyP has given me a great deal of credibility with my clients in the security sector in Ireland and the UK. Similar to the ‘Chartered’ designation in other fields, the CSyP has helped raise the precedent for professionalism in the industry.
Is there any advice you would give to those who are considering applying?
If you know a CSyP, they can give you the best advice on what to do next. One thing that unites them all is their friendliness. As there is only one application deadline, you should spread out the completion of the form over a few weeks. As a former CSyP applicant, I can attest that the team responsible for reviewing applications is among the most helpful and pleasant I’ve ever worked with.
Tell me about your doctorate?
I am in the midst of my third year at the University of Portsmouth, where I am pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Business Administration. My thesis, titled “The Development of a Close Protection Training Syllabus for Use by the Private Security Authority in Ireland,” centres on syllabus creation, knowledge and skill acquisition, and testing. As one of the leading security academics put it, “CP is the great desert of security studies,” I am instead conducting a scoping and integrative review because neither approach seems to be adequate on its own.
