Security 101

Book excerpt: The second edition of Security 101 provide an academic-based instructional text for beginning college and university security students. The text is written for first- or second-year students who have yet to enroll in an academic security course. The book discusses relevant theories and practices and offers topics for research and discussion questions, combining both academic theories and current security industry challenges. The content of the book provides general security concepts, information, and examples, suitable for both community colleges and universities. The book is divided into 14 chapters to coincide with a typical academic semester. Each chapter covers the basic academic building blocks needed to develop a solid foundation of knowledge and preparation for the study of advanced security concepts. Today, in the United States, the private security industry is the largest employer in the criminal justice system. As the private security sector continues to protect lives and property, the industry must focus to remember lessons from the past while adapting to the future. With this in mind, the following additions have been made to the second edition of this book: Updated governmental statistics; Additional analysis from noted industry professionals; Revised policies and practices from security industry and governmental sources; Current events and trends impacting the private security sector; and A new chapter addressing the security industry's role in the ongoing battle against terrorism.