National Sport Safety and Security Certifications

Certification - Official Launch - Certification

Sport Event Security Aware (SESA) - March 2013 - NCS4
Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) - August 2014 - ANSI/NCS4
Certified Sport Security Supervisor (CSSS) - August 2015 - ANSI/NCS4
Certified Sport Venue Staff (CSVS) - June 2013 - NCS4

Introduction to Certifications:
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi will create certifications for both sport organizations and personnel responsible for sports safety and security.  The goal of the certification programs is to ensure that individuals responsible for the secure and safe operation of sports venues and events have the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform their duties and sport organizations will adhere to scalable standards for assessing risks; identifying vulnerabilities; developing appropriate plans, policies, and procedures; and providing training and exercise to venue staff. The certifications will be research-based and capability-referenced to assure the development and the improvement of knowledge, skills and abilities needed to protect highly valued assets as well as the capabilities to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and to recover from disaster incidents related to sport events.

Sport Organization Certification

Sport Event Security Aware (SESA)
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), at The University of Southern Mississippi offers the Sport Event Security Aware (SESA) certification.  NCS4 offers SESA certification to all professional, collegiate, and amateur organizations that own or operate sports venues. The core of SESA is a set of scalable standards for assessing risks; identifying vulnerabilities; developing appropriate plans, policies, and procedures; and providing training and exercise to venue staff.  The result is a continual four-year cycle to review and upgrade safety, security, and incident management programs at participating sports venues.

 

 

Personnel Certifications

Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP)
The Certified Sport Security Professional designation will be awarded to individuals at the middle and upper levels of an organization and who are in leadership roles responsible for the planning and overall security operations of sport venues and events.  These individuals create security related policies, procedures, operating plans, create and deliver training, and oversee the selection of other venue and event personnel and/or event personnel providers (vendors).  They serve in a command capacity during events and ensure that the event plan is being properly followed and also to provide upper level supervision of event personnel and/or event personnel providers.

Certified Sport Security Supervisor (CSSS)
The Certified Sport Security Supervisor designation will be awarded to individuals who are responsible for the supervision of front line event personnel. These individuals take instructions from the management level and execute event plans, position personnel, deliver training, supervise personnel and provide direction and instructions to front line event personnel.

Certified Sport Venue Staff (CSVS)
This Certified Sport Venue Staff designation will be awarded to individuals who are responsible for a specific post, duty, or detail as part of an overall event operation plan.  These individuals take instructions from the line supervisor level, are in direct contact with spectators, staff and/or vendors and are responsible for a narrow scope of duties and responsibilities.  This certification will include, but is not limited to: ushers, bag checkers, security personnel, event staff, guest service staff, parking attendants, ticket takers, concession personnel, housekeeping and cleaning; and merchandise personnel who have demonstrated a certain level of knowledge and /or skills, and have passed a background screening.