The shooter who took the lives of 12 people and injured many more in Aurora, CO on July 20, 2012 was no doubt deranged in some way. He barged into a crowded movie theatre, hurled a gas canister, and began shooting indiscriminately. His actions not only revealed much about the state and health of society but it also revealed society’s vulnerabilities.

Ever since 9-11, security experts have warned against “lone wolf” threats and “soft targets.” Threats to soft targets by lone wolf attackers, however, have mostly been considered something terrorists would orchestrate. The attack in the theater that July weekend dispels the notion that only terrorists can exploit those methods.

This does not mean that the terrorist threat is any less pressing. To the contrary, it is as prominent as ever. The escalating tensions in the Middle East and specifically Iran point to the potential for state sponsored terrorist attacks. Similarly, the recent bombings of innocent Israeli civilians in Europe underscore how real the terrorist threat is. The fact that the mass shooting was conducted by-ostensibly-a non-terrorist only compounds the threat to society.

With increased threat, either from overseas or from within the U.S., the natural outcome is increased security. This growing security need in the U.S. is not exceedingly new though; it has been underway for about the past ten years. The increased security has been realized mostly by government agencies: military, federal law enforcement, and intelligence agencies. As recent history shows and recent events highlight, an increased security presence is important.

Security and protection jobs, like any job, have a range of roles and positions that can be filled. A person can fill an entry level role, or if he or she has the right qualifications, the person can perhaps fill a middle or upper level role. Qualifications such as education matter when seeking employment in the security and protection field. Take the qualifications of an FBI special agent, for example. There are specific education requirements for this role. An FBI special agent has to at least possess a four year degree from a university that is either regionally or nationally accredited (fbijobs.gov). Additionally, special agents are prioritized according to special skills such as law enforcement or investigative experience.

The competitive nature of such a role or any other federal or local law enforcement role for that matter will be made more realistic by having relevant education. Consider, for example, a security management degree or a protection management degree. The special knowledge and information that goes along with these degree programs will fit right in with the ever growing need for security professionals. In fact, a protection management or security management degree provides a more specific set of competencies than a basic criminal justice degree, which seems to have been the typical degree in this field for many years.

What is more, the student seeking a protection management degree or security management degree can earn the security degree online. Online learning has grown in popularity and respect and it is not uncommon for working adults to seek out an accredited university to earn a security degree online. If you are looking to enter law enforcement on the local or federal level, or related work for a contractor supporting these efforts, consider earning your security degree online.

Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, protection management, security degree online, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, protection management, security degree online, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Author Bio: Dan Sommer works for Henley-Putnam University, a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. For more info on Henley-Putnam University, protection management, security degree online, call 888-852-8746 or visit us online at http://www.Henley-Putnam.edu

Category: Education
Keywords: protection management, security degree online