Associate Protection Professional (APP) Practice Exam
Associate Protection Professional (APP) Practice Exam
Associate Protection Professional (APP) Practice Exam
Obtaining the APP certification marks the initial stride toward advancing your career in security. This credential, attainable with just one year of relevant experience, signals to prospective employers your solid command of essential security skills, positioning you to elevate your professional trajectory.
Who should take the exam?
The exam is for security professionals with at least one year of compensated experience, the Associate Protection Professional certification should be:
Holding a full-time position in a security-related capacity.
Maintaining a clean criminal record that aligns with the values of the security profession, ASIS, and the certification program.
Willingness to follow the ASIS Certification Code of Conduct.
Commitment to comply with the policies outlined in the ASIS Certification Handbook.
Eligibility Requirement
Security Management Experience*Education
One year - Master’s degree (or international equivalent)
Two years - Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent)
Three years - No higher education degree
Why take the exam?
Confirms your expertise in security matters.
Offers recognition from peers and industry stakeholders on a global scale.
Attain a competitive edge within the job market.
Elevate your career trajectory and financial prospects.
Experience personal gratification and professional fulfillment.
Exam Details
Exam Languages: English
Exam Questions: 100 Questions
Time: 2 hours
Course Outline
The exam covers the following topics:
Domain 1: Understand Security Fundamentals (35%)
TASK 1: Implement and coordinate the organization’s security program(s) to protect the organization’s assets
Knowledge of
1. Security theory and terminology
2. Project management techniques
3. Security industry standards
4. Protection techniques and methods
5. Security program and procedures assessment
6. Security principles of planning, organization, and control
TASK 2: Implement methods to improve the security program on a continuous basis through the use of auditing, review, and assessment
Knowledge of
1. Data collection and intelligence analysis techniques
2. Continuous assessment and improvement processes
3. Audit and testing techniques
TASK 3: Develop and coordinate external relations programs with public sector law enforcement or other external organizations to achieve security objectives
Knowledge of
1. Roles and responsibilities of external organizations and agencies
2. Local, national, and international public/private partnerships
3. Methods for creating effective working relationships
TASK 4: Develop, implement, and coordinate employee security awareness programs
Knowledge of
1. The nature of verbal and non-verbal communication and cultural considerations
2. Security industry standards
3. Training methodologies
4. Communication strategies, techniques, and methods
5. Security awareness program objectives and metrics
TASK 5: Implement and/or coordinate an investigative program
Knowledge of
1. Report preparation for internal purposes and legal proceedings
2. Components of investigative processes
3. Types of investigations (e.g., incident, misconduct, compliance)
4. Internal and external resources to support investigative functions
TASK 6: Provide coordination, assistance, and evidence such as documentation and testimony to support legal proceedings
3. Relevant laws and regulations regarding records management, retention, legal holds, and destruction practices (Note: No country specific laws will be on the APP exam)
TASK 7: Conduct background investigations for hiring, promotion, and/or retention of individuals
Knowledge of
1. Background investigations and personnel screening techniques
2. Quality and types of information and data sources
3. Criminal, civil, and employment law and procedures
TASK 8: Develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate policies, procedures, programs and methods to protect individuals in the workplace against human threats (e.g., harassment, violence)
Knowledge of
1. Principles and techniques of policy and procedure development
2. Protection personnel, technology, and processes
3. Regulations and standards governing or affecting the security industry and the protection of people, property, and information
4. Educational and awareness program design and implementation
TASK 9: Conduct and/or coordinate an executive/personnel protection program
Knowledge of
1. Travel security program components
2. Executive/personnel protection program components
3. Protection personnel, technology, and processes
TASK 10: Develop and/or maintain a physical security program for an organizational asset
Knowledge of
1. Resource management techniques
2. Preventive and corrective maintenance for systems
3. Physical security protection equipment, technology, and personnel
4. Security theory, techniques, and processes
5. Fundamentals of security system design
TASK 11: Recommend, implement, and coordinate physical security controls to mitigate security risks
2. Physical security protection equipment, technology, and personnel
3. Security survey techniques
TASK 12: Evaluate and integrate technology into security program to meet organizational goals
Knowledge of
1. Surveillance techniques and technology
2. Integration of technology and personnel
3. Plans, drawings, and schematics
4. Information security theory and systems methodology
TASK 13: Coordinate and implement security policies that contribute to an information security program
Knowledge of
1. Practices to protect proprietary information and intellectual property
2. Information protection technology, investigations, and procedures
3. Information security program components (e.g., asset protection, physical security, procedural security, information systems security, employee awareness, and information destruction and recovery capabilities)
4. Information security threats
Domain 2: Learn about Business Operations (22%)
TASK 1: Propose budgets and implement financial controls to ensure fiscal responsibility
Knowledge of
1. Data analysis techniques and cost-benefit analysis
2. Principles of business management accounting, control, and audits
3. Return on Investment (ROI) analysis
4. Fundamental business finance principles and financial reporting
5. Budget planning process
6. Required components of effective documentation (e.g., budget, balance sheet, vendor work order, contracts)
TASK 2: Implement security policies, procedures, plans, and directives to achieve organizational objectives
Knowledge of
1. Principles and techniques of policy/procedure development
2. Guidelines for individual and corporate behavior
3. Improvement techniques (e.g., pilot programs, education, and training)
TASK 3: Develop procedures/techniques to measure and improve departmental productivity
Knowledge of
1. Communication strategies, methods, and techniques
2. Techniques for quantifying productivity/metrics/key performance indicators (KPI)
3. Project management fundamentals tools and techniques
4. Principles of performance evaluations, 360 reviews, and coaching
TASK 4: Develop, implement, and coordinate security staffing processes and personnel development programs in order to achieve organizational objectives
Knowledge of
1. Retention strategies and methodologies
2. Job analysis processes
3. Cross-functional collaboration
4. Training strategies, methods, and techniques
5. Talent management and succession planning
6. Selection, evaluation, and interview techniques for staffing
TASK 5: Monitor and ensure a sound ethical culture in accordance with regulatory requirements and organizational objectives
Knowledge of
1. Interpersonal communications and feedback techniques
2. Relevant laws and regulations
3. Governance and compliance standards
4. Generally accepted ethical principles
5. Guidelines for individual and corporate behavior
TASK 6: Provide advice and assistance in developing key performance indicators and negotiate contractual terms for security vendors/suppliers
Knowledge of
1. Confidential information protection techniques and methods
2. Relevant laws and regulations
3. Key concepts in the preparation of requests for proposals and bid reviews/evaluations
4. Service Level Agreements (SLA) definition, measurement and reporting
5. Contract law, indemnification, and liability insurance principles
6. Monitoring processes to ensure that organizational needs and contractual requirements are being met
7. Vendor qualification and selection process
Domain 3: Understand Risk Management (25%)
TASK 1: Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessment processes