Security Awareness Training

I got a short email from Jon Greenwood of Greenwood Security. He wanted to let me know that they had finished their security awareness training video and have posted a video trailer on the internet. They are advertising this video as a training tool that can be used to meet the security awareness training requirements for the CFATS, MTSA and TSA Pipeline security programs.

I’m glad to see that they are using an old-style film advertising technique to give the chemical security community a chance to take a look at the video before they consider buying this. The production values of the clips included in the trailer look good and the information is well presented. I particularly like the ‘low probability but you got to be safe’ attitude of the presentation.

How does this compare with the DHS provided on-line training for security awareness that I’ve discussed before? Well this is targeted at a slightly different audience. The DHS program is targeted at the on-line individual training where videos like this one are better suited to classroom instruction. They both have their place in a security awareness training program.

Jon’s email does mention that Greenwood Security can customize their video for either company or site specific applications. This is certainly an interesting idea and is certain to catch the attention of corporate audiences. Training videos are frequently tuned out by many employees, but the inclusion of scenes that include the facility and, maybe more importantly, employees can help to attract and retain employee attention.

I still would like to see someone do a security awareness training video that uses the scenario based technique used in the DHS on-line program. I have used videos like this in a number of different safety training programs. Stopping the video after each scenario provides a good chance for an interactive discussion. These discussions always make for a more effective training session as they more actively involve the students and make them think about the material being presented.

One last thing about security awareness training (or any kind of mandated training for that matter); don’t forget the end-of-class test. A simple ten question written test helps focus the student’s attention and is the perfect compliance record. While most inspectors will accept a signed class roster, nothing makes them happier than being able to look in an employee’s training folder and be able to see a copy of the test the employee took at the end of mandatory training. Where tests are provided as part of a training package, I always like to modify them by adding at least some site-specific questions and terminology.

BTW: The Greenwood Security web site does have a nice Training page, but it doesn’t list individual products (and no link to this trailer, unfortunately) or provide pricing. I guess you would have to contact them to get the details if you are interested.