Plan of Attack: Studying for the ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP) Certification Test

I recently sat for the ASIS Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification exam.  The test is about 125 questions and you are allotted about three hours to complete the test at a testing facility (e.g., Prometrics).

This Blog is intended to offer a Plan of Attack on how to study for the exam; however, according to the rules of engagement, I am not permitted to offer example/actual questions, answers, etc.  Instead, this Blog is really a "How To" prepare for the test using a process I developed after searching the Internet and reviewing any ASIS resources that could offer ideas.

Be sure you take a look at the ASIS Board Certification Handbook as you prepare for this journey.

STEP 1: ASSEMBLE ALL RESOURCES

Collect/assemble all your resources to study for the test.  The first set of resources is listed on the ASIS site here.

These documents include:

• ASIS Facilities Physical Security Measures Guideline
  
• ASIS Business Continuity Guideline
  
• Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems, 2nd Edition, Mary Lynn Garcia
  
• Effective Physical Security, 4th Ed, Lawrence J. Fennelly (Editor)
  
• Implementing Physical Protection Systems: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition, David G. Patterson
  
• Introduction to Security, 9th Edition, Robert J. Fischer, et al
  
• PSP Reference (Excerpts from the Protection of Assets (POA)), 2nd Edition (See * Below)
  
• Risk Analysis and the Security Survey, 4th Edition, James F. Broder, Eugene Tucker

* One book not listed but is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is the ASIS book, Protection of Assets - Physical Security.  Yes, the PSP Reference does contain some repetitive information from the actual POA -- and you need the PSP Reference due to the chapter on high rise security -- the actual POA is and imperative read as you prepare for the test.

STEP 2: OUTLINE THE ASIS GUIDELINES

This first step will help you to gain a broad view of where your studying will take you.  By simply reading the Guidelines and outlining the various sections -- even just handwriting down the different sections/subsections in order -- you'll get a chance to see the flow of the organization of what is included in Physical Security.

In my case I did my outline in Microsoft PowerPoint with the slides highlighting the key concepts for each section/subsection.  (NOTE:  These outline PPT decks will be useful for review).

From these Guidelines I'd suggest you memorize the Business Continuity process flow first shown on page 10 of the ASIS Business Continuity Guideline and shown below:

BCP Process flow

STEP 3: START READING, OUTLINING, REVIEWING

This is now where the real work starts.  But, with the background you already have with the above outlining efforts and your own professional experience, this will be time-consuming but not daunting.

There is no right/wrong way to proceed but I essentially did the following steps on my reading:

NOTE:  

If you have little or no practical field experience in the Physical Security space, take time to read and outline Introduction to Security,  This is the first thing you'll need to do to get a solid foundation for your studying.  Otherwise, if you have considerable physical and cyber security experience you can "jump into the pool" and start with the reading/studying list below:

• First: Read the Protection of Assets - Physical Security cover to cover with a pen and highlighter in hand.
  
• Second: Read the PSP Reference (Excerpts from the Protection of Assets (POA)), 2nd Edition focused on Part 3 -- High Rise Structures.  (The other three Parts are repeats from the original POA book I just read).
  
• Third: Read Mary Lynn Garcia's Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems, 2nd Edition,  This is a fantastic read and compliments the two books and Guidelines you've read above.  Her book structure follows the figure below, "Design and Evaluation Process for Physical Protection Systems (PPS)."  Take time to memorize this chart and know it cold.
  
  Also, at the end of each one of her chapters she included a few paragraphs called "Security Principles."  These are very helpful to read, know, understand -- and if you don't restudy the chapter.
  

Page 4, Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems

• Fourth:  Read and study Implementing Physical Protection Systems: A Practical Guide,  Be sure you understand the six phases of PPS life cycle planning and what goes into each one of the phases.  Overall this is a very helpful book in your future life as a security project manager and the words of wisdom offered by David Peterson are very helpful.
  
• Fifth:  Read and study Effective Physical Security,  Each chapter offers a wealth of information on various technical topics you've already learned in the POA above and in Mary Lynn Garcia's work.  This book is also great for quick reference when you need a few more details when studying on such topics as locks, lighting, etc.
  
• Sixth:  Read the remaining references in any order.  

STEP 4:  START STUDYING, MEMORIZING, LEARNING, REINFORCING

Now comes the truly hard work.  Each of us have our own way of learning, but below I'll offer my own approach.

Each one of the books above I outlined the chapters using PowerPoint -- the same way I outlined the Guidelines.

Some people prefer to use Flash Cards; however, a wonderful and FREE system you can use is an online application called Quizlet.  Be sure to set up a FREE account and then conduct a search for any Quizes prepared for the PSP.  I located about four and also built a few myself -- which is great! 

 

You can use Quizlet to display Flashcards, develop tests (multiple choice, fill in the blank, match) and even play games using "Scatter" and "Gravity."  

Quizlet really helped me with Flashcard preparation (yes, you can print them) and took the boredom out of the review process.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER PSP TEST PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES?

Be sure to check the ASIS website and your own local chapter to see if they are offering any PSP study groups.  Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in any.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Here are some general guidelines to consider when preparing for the test:

1) Don't CRAM and expect to pass the test.  There is too much information.

2) Draw every diagram you see at least once.

3) Prepare a plan (like the above) and build upon what you are learning.  For instance, when reading a specific topic in the Protection of Assets - Physical Security -- e.g., Lighting -- then also read the section on Lighting in the Effective Physical Security, to complement and augment what you just learned.

4) Know your terms but also know the contents of the practical discussions in Garcia's and Fennelly's books -- as well as both POA references.

5) Get a good night's rest the night before the exam.  Review your outlines the day of the test and go for it!

GOOD LUCK!!