Safety is machinery that needs each gear to work synchronously to achieve its goal; PRECISELY CPPs are a vital component of this industry.
In 1983 the engineer Jesús Cruz Vorrath began his journey in the world of security when he was appointed CEO of the company SEPSA. This company dedicated to providing comprehensive private security services marked the beginning of a career that 28 years later is consolidated with his work as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the companies of the Integral Security Group (GSI).
This Mexican, who currently resides in Monterrey, graduated as an Electrical Mechanical Engineer from the Universidad Veracruzana; his professional development has been marked by engineering and he worked in companies such as Mallaminsa, HYLSA, and FEMSA. Later he would obtain his Master's Degree in Administration from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.
For Cruz, the CPP must be a specialist in security and administration, "it must have an overview of all the functions of a company," he says. And it raises the need for these professionals to strengthen their skills and improve their performance by studying a specialization in management. "This would allow them to have a global vision of the organizations and thus comprehensively assess the risks."
Similarly, from their perspective, risk analysis and safety diagnosis are essential studies for a CPP, since they provide important and priority information for decision-making and good management of security risks. In the same sense, he noted that these studies must be influenced by the profitability analysis of security, for which it is very important to follow up on all plans and projects in this area in the company.
The voice of experience
Jesús Cruz, our guest in this edition, relates that the reason for being certified as a CPP was "to have an exemplary official recognition that would help improve the level of knowledge of the companies". So far, he believes that he has not been wrong in his intentions, although he confesses that he has had great challenges in his performance as a professional.
The most frequent problems he identifies in the work environment are the "lack of loyalty on the part of the staff and the loss of the perception of the security measures that must exist". He also highlighted as indispensable qualities of a CPP the knowledge of the functions of deterrence, detection, detention and the ability to respond to an act of theft or crime.
On the other hand, he stressed that one of his greatest learnings was obtained by implementing the public banking security patrol program. "The project was created with the aim of cooperating with the authorities, reducing theft from bank branches and helping the authorities to reduce accident rates in Monterrey. In the end we managed to make the city one of the safest in Latin America."
Currently, it is developing another banking project in which it must maintain a national security system that works efficiently in more than 100 branches of the Mexican Republic. "The goal is to provide secure services to customers, keeping these procedures up to date, while continuing to advance in the development of technology to further reduce claims."
Electronic security
His tour of the industry has also taken him to the field of electronic security, as a result of his experience in banking surveillance, "for the projects I have developed electronic security is very important, for example in the transmission of alarm signals of crimes in process; to achieve an immediate response, alert the staff of the Ministry of Public Security, and be able to act in case of being a crime in process," he explained.
It also considers that electronic security is a fundamental tool in the constitution of a comprehensive security system. For that reason every day they have a higher percentage of application. "It is an effective complement to security personnel and is a determining element for the deterrence of crime," he said.
Although he did not hesitate to note that the most important thing to combat crime is "to win the battle in the mind of the potential criminal", that is, through clear messages communicate the existence of security measures and the ability to detect and respond to criminal acts.
In addition, he indicated that "in addition to the ability to respond immediately to crimes in process, it is necessary to increase the expectations of punishment by having electronic systems such as closed circuit TV and others that provide evidence to avoid impunity."
Future of the industry
Finally, Jesús Cruz stressed that the main objective of a CPP is to maintain a safe environment and reduce crime rates, collaborate with the strategies and objectives of the institution it serves, and ensure that security procedures are complied with in an environment of respect for human rights.
"Going forward I see strong growth for the security industry in Latin America, due to the investments that are being scheduled. The political instabilities that currently exist in other countries will increase investments, the demand for more security professionals and PPPs to meet the needs of companies," he said.
He concluded by affirming that in order to meet the needs of the market, in Latin America it is a priority to train those who work in the area of security, from the level of guards to directors. "The recent and future growth of the industry is double digits annually, so the demand for quality and training will continue to grow at the same pace."
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A security professional
The CPP of the month, Jesús Cruz Vorrath, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the companies of the Integral Security Group (GSI). Leading private security group in Mexico, formed, among others, by the companies Cometra, Sepsa and Seguritec.
This group operates under the concept of providing comprehensive security to its customers through its recognized companies; commercially its various service lines include: transfer of values, cash processing, ATMs, security guards, custody of securities via land, air and satellite, digital security systems and security manufacturing.
In addition, he was Regional Vice President for the Mexican Republic of ASIS International, and responsible for the chapters of Mexico, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Tijuana.
