Corporate Security

Offered by: Homeland/Corporate Security

Since the events of September 11, 2001, the industries of organizational security and private security have changed and have become a top priority for every organization, public or private. Along with mitigating continually emerging external threats, security professionals work to create plans and execute measures to address workplace violence, theft and diversion of resources, disaster and pandemic events, and fraud/embezzlement concerning their organizations’ financial affairs. They use modern technology and specific skills to protect their organization and its people from physical, financial, and reputational harm.

Students enrolled in Slippery Rock University’s Corporate Security major become part of the solution through program coursework, internships, and individualized projects leading to the Bachelor of Science in Corporate Security. This degree has two concentrations: an Organizational Security concentration, and a Fraud concentration.

The Organizational Security concentration trains majors for private security leadership positions who will be responsible for protecting people, property, information, economic assets, and their organizational reputation. Organizations need security to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks and threats, including crime, terrorism, workplace violence, theft and natural/man-made disasters. The Fraud concentration prepares students to prevent, detect, mitigate and remediate the repercussions from corporate espionage, embezzlement, corruption, asset misappropriation, identity theft, and the varied, nefarious ways people take something of value from organizations.

Students in the Corporate Security major may engage in an internship. Students may also join student-run organizations such as the Security Studies Club and the Project to End Human Trafficking. Students who excel in their studies and meet certain criteria may also be inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield National Honor Society.

The department also offers a series of speakers on-campus where students can hear the latest issues in security and network with professionals in the security industry. Additionally, the department hosts a series of trips and events for students.

The program also offers minors and certificates in Organizational Security and Fraud to enhance or compliment degrees in other subjects. Through these minors and certificates, students learn how to protect organizations from vandalism to extreme threats due to workplace violence and terrorism, as well as, corporate espionage, embezzlement, asset misappropriation, and corruption.

Security is an inherent concern for every organization around the globe.

Why Concentrate in Organizational Security?

World events consistently emphasize just how vulnerable infrastructure, personnel, data, assets, and industrial operations systems are to internal and external threats. Security is no longer just guards, guns and gates. Modern technology – integrated video, alarm, and access systems, drones, security robotics, biometric identification, and a host of other technologies – are now part of an Organizational Security professional’s toolkit. The complexities of threats organizations face mandate critical thinkers who can engage the right tools and techniques in creative problem-solving. ASIS International projects a high demand for entry-level professionals in private security over the next several decades. Corporate Security professionals who assess risks, devise plans to mitigate risks, implement policies, procedures, and technology to address risks and engage in business continuity planning are indispensable within 21^st century- organizations.

What Will You Learn in Organizational Security?

Coursework will emphasize personnel security, physical security, fraud, data security, computer systems security, and security risk and emergency management. In addition to teaching the fundamental skills of security, the curriculum also builds on other skills needed to be successful in the field of private security such as leadership, organizational behavior, financial accounting, and investigations. Students benefit from academically-qualified faculty with decades of industry experience.

Careers in Organizational Security

Graduates who have a concentration in Organizational Security may enter the following careers according to Career Opportunities in Security-ASIS, published 2013:

Banking and Financial Services Security
Commercial Real Estate Security
Communications Security
Crisis Management and Business Continuity
Cultural Properties Security
Food Defense and Agriculture Security
Gaming and Wagering Security
Government/Industrial Security
Healthcare Security
Information Systems Security
Lodging and Hospitality Security
Manufacturing Security
Petrochemical, Chemical, and Extractive Industry Security
Pharmaceutical Security
Retail Loss Prevention
School Safety and Security
Security Engineering and Design
Security Investigations
Security Sales, Equipment, and Services
Transportation and Supply Chain Security
Utilities and Nuclear Security

Graduates with a degree in organizational security may also enter professions such as Executive Protection, Security Consulting, Security Education, Security Training, and Special Event Security.

Organizational Security Certifications

ASIS International is the premier certifying organization in organizational security domestically and worldwide and offers the following certifications:

Organizations in the industry sector offer the following specialized security certifications, among others:

We encourage you to research the requirements of these certifications as many certifications require both the passing of an exam and relevant work experience.

Why Concentrate in Fraud?

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiner's 2018 Report to the Nations “organizations lose 5% of their annual revenues to fraud” and “if the 5% loss estimate were applied to the 2017 estimated Gross World Product of USD 79.6 trillion, it would result in a projected total global fraud loss of nearly USD 4 trillion.” (CIA World Facebook) Organizations lose money, inventory, research and development, intellectual property, and other valuable assets through fraud. Additionally, drug cartels and terrorists engage in frauds to support their mission and devise creative ways to launder money from their illicit activities.

Therefore, organizations need fraud professionals who can assess risks, create risk assessment plans to prevent fraud, and devise policies, procedures, and use software programs to detect fraud early. Fraud professionals also need to know how to investigate fraud incidents, track money laundering, work with local, state, and federal law enforcement, and testify at trials.

What Will You Learn in Fraud?

In this program, you will learn about internal controls, the types of security breaches organizations encounter, and the uniqueness of frauds in certain types of organizations. The curriculum covers the demographics of fraudsters and you will also learn about the types of fraud. Students learn the principles of fraud prevention, detection, and how to assess for fraud. Additionally, the importance of establishing fraud prevention strategies through internal controls, complying with regulations, and engaging in risk assessment will be taught. Investigations, and fraud law and reporting, will also be covered.

Careers in Fraud

Fraud focused careers are available within organizations ranging from Insurance, Healthcare, Banking, Manufacturing, gaming, and more. With the rise of fraud, cyber fraud, and data breaches, fraud examiners are more important than ever and companies are looking for qualified candidates.

Examples of career paths where graduates who have a concentration in Fraud may go:

Bankruptcy Analyst
Bank Examiner
Anti-Money Laundering Specialist
Bank Secrecy Act Investigator
Loss Prevention
Fraud Analyst
Fraud Examiner
Fraud Investigator
Internal Auditor
Legal Investigator
Consultant
Private investigator
Special Agent/FBI Agent

Other agencies where academic backgrounds of fraud are valued are: the Department of Defense, the Securities Exchange Commission, the Government Accountability Office, and the US Postal Inspection Office, and major police departments with financial crimes units. Graduates can also work in various regulatory agencies at the federal, state, and local governmental level with a background in fraud.

Fraud Certifications

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is the premier certifying organization in fraud both domestically and worldwide and offers a Certified Fraud Examiner certification, We encourage you to research the requirements of this certification as many certifications require both the passing of an exam and relevant work experience.

Earn Your Degree in Corporate Security at SRU!

Slippery Rock University’s Corporate Security major provides the student with many career opportunities. Interested in learning more? Request more information today!