We Need To Study History If We Want To Be Security Professionals. Period.

History gives a sense of identity and pride within Security professionals. This is vital; especially at the entry level where turnover is an issue.

History enables us to reach various markets outside of our own traditional industry markets. This opens up the way for new people to become aware of our organizations, possibly join them and recognize them when making key decisions. It gets us out of the “Talking To Ourselves Syndrome”.

Understanding History enables us to see historical parallels, to realize that “the only thing new is the History we haven’t learned”. Things have happened before; in different time. In a different manner. History never repeats itself; it parallels itself.

It also helps us to better address clients & executives. Firstly, it prevents us from being ambushed by someone knowing Security Industry History that we don’t know. Secondly, it demonstrates a depth of research that can be quite important; particularly in those instances where current empirical data is not available. Or not relevant. The “data” on active shooters being a prime example.

Security Management needs a historical body of knowledge in order to become a real profession.

This helps in establishing academic programs in colleges and universities. In many cases it provides a powerful argument for their establishment: Chuck Nemeth’s research which thoroughly documents the role of self-help and private security; that private security has a longer and larger history than public law enforcement.

The use of public-private partnerships in England and America is quite apparent in our history. Such arrangements are extensive today. Finding and analyzing early cooperative efforts can provide added insight into their employ.

Transportation/commerce; easily seen in the development of railroad security/police systems is applicable to other types of commerce. There are lessons to be applied to IT as well. A deeper understanding of the threats to and protection of commerce will enable Physical Security to mature and avoid becoming a stepchild of IT.

The Code of Hammurabi was primarily a commercial code; more akin to the legal environment of contemporary business law and security legal standards than the over simplistic “an eye for an eye” that is commonly portrayed.

Historical study helps prevent single cause explanations from occurring. Martial arts are commonly believed to have originated in India where a traveling man taught monks in China. This did occur. But martial arts have developed independently in various areas of the world. Ju Jutsu developed in Japan shortly before the birth of Christ. The popular version is only a partial explanation; something that is common with loss events such as crimes, accidents, disasters, etc. Historical exploration mitigates this tendency by teaching us to inquire. Always inquire!