The Importance of a Code of Ethics and Security Standards for Security Professionals

By Dave Benson, MS, CTM

Perhaps, like me, some of you are “old enough to remember” a time when there was little in the way of professional security codes of conduct, ethics, or standards available to security professionals. We were generally expected to conduct ourselves with integrity and professionalism, to “Do the Right Thing” with little or no specific guidance as to how to perform our duties.

While it's true that in the past, there were few security codes of conduct available to professionals in the industry, it's encouraging to see that today, more guidance and standards are now available to help ensure ethical practices and responsible behavior among security professionals. Adhering to these codes can help build trust with clients and minimize risk for your organization. It's important to conduct oneself with integrity and professionalism, even in the absence of specific guidance.

It's important to keep in mind that ethical practices are crucial in the security industry. Likewise, following relevant security standards can help to ensure that your organization is operating in a responsible and compliant manner. By doing so, you can build trust with clients and minimize risk. It's great to see that more guidance and standards are now available within our industry to guide professionals with ethics and responsibility.

As security professionals, it is crucial to prioritize ethics and security standards in our work. Not only do we have a responsibility to protect our client's assets and data, but we must also do so in a way that is ethical and upholds the trust placed in us. This means following prevailing best practices for data privacy and security, being transparent with clients about potential risks and vulnerabilities, and constantly educating us on emerging threats and how to combat them.

By prioritizing ethics and security standards, we can ensure that we are not only effective security professionals but also trusted partners in our client's success.

Furthermore, understanding what is morally correct and following ethical values is crucial in our work. As security professionals, we have a responsibility to act in the best interest of our clients and our company, even if it means going beyond what is technically compliant. It's important to be able to judge these matters accordingly and prioritize the ethical implications of our actions. By doing so, we can build trust with our clients and ensure their assets and data are protected responsibly and ethically.

Having a clear and well-defined code of conduct is crucial for any organization. It sets the tone for how leaders and employees should behave and can help to establish trust with clients and employees. Security professionals need to prioritize ethical considerations in their work, and a code of conduct can be a useful tool in achieving this. By articulating the values and principles that the organization wishes to foster, a code of conduct can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.

Likewise, just as Security professionals should prioritize ethical and responsible practices to build trust with clients, it's important to understand the significance of prevailing security standards as they can minimize risks, reduce insurance premiums, and ensure compliance with legal regulations.

Staying informed about and applying relevant security standards applicable to your client or organization is essential to ensure the safety and security of your organization, as it is crucial to performing your professional duties by relevant law and the highest moral principles.

 In conclusion, paying attention to human rights, equality, diversity, and respecting the rights of others in performing professional responsibilities are essential for security professionals. Security Professionals must also understand the importance of security standards. These standards can minimize risk, reduce insurance premiums, and ensure compliance with legal regulations. By following these standards, you can demonstrate a commitment to ethical and responsible practices, which can help to build trust with clients. It is essential to stay informed about the different security standards available and understand how they work to ensure the safety and security of your organization. In the final analysis, “Doing the Right Thing” is not enough for security professionals today. By striving to tie our professional actions to relevant codes of conduct and prevailing security standards, we will be better equipped to take on the myriad of security challenges now and in the future. 

Dave will be presenting at GSX 2023 and answering questions in person at our booth 3563. Below are the presentation details. We hope to meet you there.

Security Leadership: Best Practices for Conducting Behavioral Threat Assessment and Enhanced Cognitive Interviews

Wednesday, September 13 • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Central Time (US & Canada)

Location: C155

Houses of Worship: Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Within a Mature Safety and Security Model

Tuesday, September 12 • 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Location: D163/D165