Reasons For Joining Professional Memberships Like ASIS?

For systems integrators, I do not see a lot of benefits for participating with ASIS.

The biggest benefit is possibly business development. Go to their local chapter meetings and events, meet larger security end users, over time, win some business over the longer term.

Their education is generally not very relevant to security systems integrators (though we have had debates on this), e.g., What Certifications Are Most Relevant?, ASIS PSP To Do Or Not To Do?. To the extent it's useful, it's high level concepts but there are lots of low level elements in their training that is rarely useful for integrators.

Also, ASIS has certification, which is well regarded among security end users but not as important for security integrators. One possible benefit is getting an ASIS certification like a CPP or PSP to better network or establish credibility with end users. However, that is a lot of time to spend for a credential to impress potential customers, since it is rarely required for any system integration jobs.

Good topic, I am sure others have differing views here.

Thanks for your fast reply John.

Interestingly my background is originally in Facilities & Property Management and I am still an active member, meeting regularly with my past colleagues.

The reason I still go to those events is to understand and keep up to date with their current challenges - who knows, maybe I have a solution for them?

In the same way, I was considering joining a security specific professional body just to hear about what's going on and understand their perspective more. Hopefully that makes me more informed and appreciate their challenges too. (and also the challenges of our clients)

Business developement is a mere bonus in my opinion.

Let me share some experience in Hong Kong here. There are many organization such as ASIS, but here in HKG not require SI to join them. But the benefit is to keep most latest technology of Security Field, and sometime they will coordinate with Supplier to talent make the training program to each SI.

In Hong Kong, we have below organization:

CSI Chamber of Security Industry Limited

APSA The Asian Professional Security Association (Hong Kong Chapter)

HKSA The Hong Kong Security Association

I can see where John's coming from. However, my experience is that ASIS is as good as you make it. Building up your local chapter by participating in leadership, getting speakers to discuss topics relevant to security integration, etc. have a big impact on the value of the organization relative to time and money spent.

I've used the annual ASIS show as a way to keep myself and clients up to date on products and trends. That noted, ISC West has taken the lead in that respect.

Networking both locally and nationally is another reason I've participated in ASIS...Again, you get out of it what you put into the organization.

As a note, I earned my CPP before ASIS came up with the other designations. It was a difficult exam that required a decent amount of industry experience just to sit for the exam as well as a lot of studying in order to pass the exam. Since that time, I've done a lot to continue to grow my security career. However, I did not keep up with the ASIS CEU's. It's disappointing that ASIS does not recognize a wider range of education to keep up certifications. Since earning my CPP in 2003, I've earned my law degree along with other technical / product certifications. Still, I can't get ASIS to recognize my designation.

There are other organizations such as the International Organization for Healthcare Security and Safety. Again, you have to invest time to benefit from the association.

Others to consider include

NSCA - National Systems Contractors Association

ESA - Electronic Security Association

One thing to consider if you're looking to use an association for marketing purposes, groups that are related to the security industry are likely to have some if not many of your competitors. To connect with customer prospects, trying connecting with other industry related groups.