Utilizing the tools available to security professionals can help them to advance their career, says Abraham Desantiago, Physical Security Professional for a Diplomatic Mission.

It has became apparent that a substantial number of security and risk management experts have exceptional qualifications worldwide, primarily from a military or law enforcement background.

However, despite their impressive skill sets, they are notably absent from social media platforms or exhibit infrequent usage.

Instead, they observe and replicate their local counterparts to achieve their goals.

Perhaps they are too introverted or overloaded with responsibilities, impeding them from building an influential personal brand on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.

Nonetheless, I believe that LinkedIn presents an ideal platform for cultivating positive relationships with colleagues and generating substantial networks leading to valuable advantages.

A significant portion of the Latin American population constitutes a vast segment that appears disinclined to advance in their professional path.

This realization has piqued my interest, leading me to contemplate further: how does one procure superior employment prospects or bring attention to their exceptional work and secure invitations for high-level meetings without a personal brand?

Several questions come to mind, but the answers remain elusive without a proper call to action.

One such step is to attend security conferences to enhance your networking skills and improve your toolkit.

Should attending conferences present difficulties, then consider becoming a member of global associations such as ASIS International, International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) or Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), among others.

Membership with any of these organizations provides access to educational resources, training updates and the opportunity to deepen one’s knowledge in your field of expertise.

Having served as the 2024 ASIS Human Threat Management Community Chairman, I have developed exceptional networking skills to new levels.

It is my personal recommendation that one should attend security conferences such as GSX, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) Winter Conference, International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) Annual Conference and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo (located in Florida, US) as they offer various opportunities for networking, educational resources and business growth.

I must admit that I first learned of LinkedIn through ASIS Connects, where I spotted the digital badge, “I’m on LinkedIn”.

I began researching the platform online.

ASIS Connects is a trusted community for global security professionals, providing numerous opportunities for cross-market networking among a global community of 34,000 members spanning all industries, including retail, healthcare, banking, cybersecurity and more.

I currently have more than 7,000 connections on LinkedIn, with a newsletter focused on young professionals and emerging leaders, boasting more than 1,700 subscribers.

There is no doubt that ASIS International and the ISRM have helped me reach remarkable levels of personal branding through substantial connections.

Volunteering work also adds value to your resume and profile.

Another recommendation would be to establish a local networking community, where professionals can build solid and fruitful relationships with their peers.

This creates opportunities for continuous learning, professional development and advancement within the industry.

This is why it is crucial to have a membership with these global associations.

About Abraham Desantiago

With an extensive background in emergency and risk management, Abraham offers a wealth of expertise in the domain of physical security.

He has over a decade of distinguished service as a Police Officer in Baruta, Venezuela and is also the author of the book La transformacion de la seguridad (Spanish Edition).

This article was originally published in the Special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.