ASIS releases report examining diversity issues in corporate security

A new report published by the ASIS Foundation, “Empowering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In Corporate Security,” highlights the positive steps that have been taken towards diversity and inclusion within the corporate security world but also emphasizes there is still a long way to go.

The report addresses some of the industry’s challenges through an understanding of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability and shines a spotlight on the well-worn image of a profession dominated by men with policing, military or intelligence backgrounds. This perception affects both recruitment practices as well as how corporate security is viewed by people of different backgrounds as a viable career choice, notes the report.

Other topics addressed in the report include the business case for diversity and what security leaders, businesses and organizations can do to raise the level of conversation and take action to support DEI initiatives.

The diversity report is based on data gathered in partnership with U.K. research firm The Clarity Factory and includes interviews with CSOs and security professionals globally as well as an anonymous survey taken by 474 people based in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Europe.

“We embarked on this research effort to better understand the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within corporate security: the nature and extent of diversity, the experience of diverse professionals within the industry, the thinking of corporate security leaders and the types of initiatives they are spearheading, the role of membership organizations, and outstanding challenges,” said Maria Teresa Septien, chair of the ASIS Foundation board of trustees, in a statement issued by the association.

“Organizations like ASIS International have a key role to play in progressing DEI efforts now and in the years to come.”

“According to the study’s findings, corporate security departments have recently placed more focus on DEI work,” added Rachel Briggs, co-founder and CEO of The Clarity Factory.

“Corporate leaders acknowledge the importance of DEI but also voice their displeasure that more hasn’t been done. Security isn’t the only sector suffering with it. Although there is still much to learn about the strategies that will work best for corporate security, this study gives us a glimpse into the most urgent problems now present in corporate security settings.”

An executive summary of the report is available on the ASIS website. The full version is available to ASIS members or to non-members for a fee.