The original Ontario group was formed in 1954 and later expanded into a national organization that was federally incorporated in 1963.

No, it has remained a purely national group, but we do have several members who reside in other countries.

No. However, coincidentally both organizations were independently founded in their home countries in 1954. Later, around the mid 1980s ASIS became an international organization and created regions and chapters in many countries, including Canada. Many Canadians who are members of CSIS, Inc. are also members of ASIS Chapters in Canada.

The principles of the Society are published on our website. Since 1990 we have been and are now a membership services and advocacy organization, but prior to 1990 we were a fraternal group. Essentially, we offer connectivity through membership, which means a member has access to all the other members for discussion on professional and related matters. Part of the notion of membership is that when you become part of a professional group you will provide professional assistance to fellow members on request. Also, most professions have associations, and the private security practitioner is no different. Many new friends are made through membership in CSIS, Inc. 

We have members from all walks of the security world. Many are managers or supervisors in security enterprises, but we also have student members who are undergoing their training in some college or other learning institution. Student members are urged to become regular members when their training is finished.

All members pay membership dues (except Life Members) and these funds are used to pay for the administrative and operational activities. We receive some donations and also enjoy some profit from our annual convention and local security presentations.

The Society does not endorse or support any equipment or service offered by a security enterprise. However, we encourage members to advertise the fact that they are members of CSIS, Inc. This does not endorse their products but does give the Society a strong image in the world of security activities and points out to potential customers and others that the security practitioner is an accepted member of an important professional group.

The annual conference is held in different locations each year and is the showcase for the security industry and CSIS Inc. The conference agenda usually consists of several days of presentations on topical and key security subjects by notable speakers, supported by a number of exhibitors. The exhibition hall is a good place to view the latest in security products and services offered by the security industry. The conference also has a social agenda to promote conviviality and collegiality to support networking. At these events, prizes are offered as well as recognition of key members for their executive roles, contributions and dedication. The Society also holds its Annual General Meeting at the conference. 

Chapters and Regions usually hold periodic local meetings and professional development events. A typical event will normally consist of a cocktail period, a meal, a guest speaker and/or a visit to a security enterprise or site. During this event there will be a number of meeting agenda items, perhaps some voting on local and other issues and the presentation of awards to deserving persons. New members are also recognized. The meeting usually involves an entrance fee that offsets the cost of the event. Such events are planned and conducted by the local executive group of the Society. 

There is a national Board of Directors consisting of 7 members elected by the membership. Regions and Chapters have their own executive groups to which members either volunteer or are voted into office. The Society also has several operational committees that are run by volunteer executives. 

The Society offers a mid-career recognition fellowship-type program for security practitioners. This is the highest level of recognition offered by the Society and is not found in any other security association in Canada. Essentially, when a security practitioner has achieved sufficient experience and knowledge to meet the exacting standards of the ASP program that person may request to be enrolled in the program and, if accepted, undergo a verification process to ensure the standards have been met. When verified, the practitioner will be granted ASP status by the Society for life. The ASP program is not an educational or training package.

.This program is an entry-level credential process by which new and journeyman security practitioners can be certified by the Society.  Membership in the Society is not required to hold Certification. This certification is equivalent to a credential in the profession denoting a level of reliability of preparatory and enhanced training. In this process, the society evaluates and endorses training course and programs offered by learning institutions and companies and, if accepted, grants one or more of three levels of certification to a member. Membership in the Society is essential to receive and hold a level of Certification. Certification is often a key resume item that employers look for in selecting new employees. There are three certification levels.

CSIS, Inc. stands for improvement and development of all aspects of the security profession. In this sense we advocate change that we believe will lead to better jobs, better training and education, better recognition of professionals, better understand of the profession, better relationships with police and better business opportunities. The Society corresponds with other groups, both government and private sector, to ensure our point of view is understood. We also serve on a wide variety of security-related committees across Canada to ensure the voice of the Society is heard in key areas. 

We share part of a national publication called "Canadian Security Magazine." In each issue the Society presents material relevant to the activities of our operations. The magazine editor will accept articles from CSIS, Inc. members for publication. Members receive the magazine at no cost. There is also a quarterly newsletter issued by the Society called “The Forum.” 

Yes. We encourage former members to join us again.

You must believe in our principles and have an interest in security. Each application is reviewed by Head Office to determine if such factors exist. 

While CSIS, Inc. does not make supportive or condemnatory statements on social issues to the media like many other organizations might do, the Society does stand for law and order, a just society, fairness and ethical conduct among many other similar positions. We try to emulate these beliefs in the way we advocate and do business. The ethical strength of our Society is drawn from the membership body. 

Yes, but in a limited way. We will seek out members who are knowledgeable in a topic brought to our attention and ask that member to respond to an inquiry. Also, we will point to relevant sources of information we believe might help a person doing research. We advocate that all security practitioners embark on some form of research and development contribution to support their profession. 

Although no agency has tabulated completely the various elements of the private security community in Canada, CSIS, Inc. believes that it consists of about 14 sub-component groupings of various sizes: They are: uniformed security guards, private investigators, armoured car crew/guards, security educators and trainers, alarm specialists, bodyguards, commercial agency internal security forces, government internal security forces, industry security equipment manufacturers, business intelligence and counterintelligence services, fraud examiners, information security technology specialists, security consultants and locksmiths. We also believe that there are about 253,000 working in security today in Canada accounting for an estimated 4.5 billion dollars annually. The ratio of security to police is about 4 to 1.