What IFPO does

The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) is a U.S.-based non-profit professional organization that issues internationally recognized certifications and training programs for protection officers, security supervisors, and security instructors. Its core product portfolio comprises a tiered certification ladder — ISOP and PSOP at the entry level, CPO (Certified Protection Officer) and CSSM (Certified in Security Supervision and Management) for working professionals, and CPOI and MSI for trainers — accompanied by proprietary study texts such as The Professional Protection Officer (10th Edition, 2025) and Security Supervision and Management (4th Edition). The organization's competitive backbone is its Security Competency Model, which was accepted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Competency Model Clearing House as the standard for security professional skills and knowledge.

IFPO monetizes through a mix of one-time certification program fees (ranging $199-$599 per program, with member and corporate discounts), recurring individual memberships ($40 first year, $20 annual renewal), corporate memberships ($575 per year), recertification fees on a two-year cycle, and the sale of textbooks, eBooks, and branded accessories. Delivery is largely online via IFPO's own e-commerce storefront and the Smart Horizons and Nuology learning platforms, with in-person delivery through a global network of IFPO Approved Training Partners. Distribution is global in claim, with a wholly-owned regional entity in Canada (IFPO Canada) and a partnership with CAPSI serving India.

The GTM motion combines direct inside-sales and self-service (website, email, social) with channel-partner distribution through approved training organizations and educational institutions. Customers span individual security professionals, private security companies and corporate security departments, and educational institutions that integrate IFPO certifications into curricula. The organization is led by Executive Director Sandi Davies with a Board Emeritus and active research contributors including Dr. Glen Kitteringham, who designed the competency model.

Name

IFPO

Legal name

International Foundation for Protection Officers

Website

https://ifpo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFPO is a U.S. non-profit that issues internationally recognized certifications (CPO, CSSM, CPOI, MSI) and training programs for protection officers, security supervisors, and instructors across individual, corporate, and educational-institution segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Certification & Professional Training

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Security, Safety & Fire/Life Safety Management (BPABAAAE)

Keywords

• Security certification programs
• Protection officer credentials
• Security management training
• Physical security certification
• Professional security membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Program Fees: Revenue from certification programs including CPO (Certified Protection Officer), CSSM (Certified in Security Supervision and Management), CPOI (Certified Protection Officer Instructor), and MSI (Master Security Instructor) programs. Fees vary by membership level.
2. Annual Membership Fees: Individual membership at $40 for first year and $20 annual renewal. Corporate membership at $575 per year for organizations with private security forces.
3. Publications and Training Materials: Sales of textbooks, ebooks, study materials, and training resources including The Professional Protection Officer books and Security Supervision and Management publications.
4. Recertification Fees: Recertification fees for maintaining certifications including $40 standard recertification and late fee options for certifications within 90 days or 2 years of due date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IFPO is a non-profit organization that develops, administers, and credentials professional certification programs for security and protection officers. Its core deliverables are the CPO, CSSM, CPOI, MSI, PSOP, and ISOP programs, supported by individual and corporate memberships, study materials, and recertification services.

Product overview

IFPO offers a comprehensive portfolio of security training and certification programs, including five core certification programs (CPO, CSSM, CPOI, MSI, ISOP, PSOP) designed for security officers at all career levels from entry-level to executive instructor. The platform provides multiple delivery formats including online self-paced programs (45-64 hours of training with CEUs), traditional textbook-based study, and live instructor-led training. IFPO also offers branded merchandise accessories, individual and corporate membership programs, and recertification services. All programs can be purchased as standalone offerings or bundled with official study materials, with pricing varying by membership tier (Non-Member, Individual Member, Corporate Member).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Protection Officer (CPO) Entry-to-practitioner level professional certification for security and protection officers, validating foundational knowledge of protection duties. Designed for individual practitioners and employer-sponsored security staff.
• Certified in Security Supervision and Management (CSSM) Mid-level certification for security supervisors and managers covering supervisory and management competencies within security operations. Aimed at security professionals moving into team lead or management roles.
• Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI) Instructor-level certification authorizing holders to deliver IFPO training and prepare candidates for IFPO examinations. Designed for security trainers and corporate training academy staff.
• Master Security Instructor (MSI) Advanced instructor-level credential recognizing senior training capability within the security profession. Targeted at lead trainers and curriculum developers.
• Physical Security Officer Program (PSOP) Specialized program focused on physical security officer competencies, addressing site-specific physical protection responsibilities.
• International Society for Organizational Protection (ISOP) Membership and recognition program for organizations involved in protection functions, providing organizational-level affiliation with IFPO.
• Individual Membership Annual membership tier for individual security practitioners providing access to IFPO resources, member benefits, and certification maintenance.
• Corporate Membership Organization-level membership tier for security service providers and corporate security functions, enabling bulk credentialing and standardized training across employed security staff.
• Recertification Services Periodic renewal and continuing-education service allowing credential holders to maintain active certification status with IFPO.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core, supporting and key.

• CAPSIregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IFPO and CAPSI joined forces to provide security education in India, expanding IFPO's global reach and establishing training programs for the Indian security industry.
• Smart HorizonscoreTechnology or IntegrationSmart Horizons is an IACET Accredited Provider offering CEU-compliant online training programs for IFPO certifications including the CPO and CSSM programs. Training is provided through their learning management system with 45-64 hours of coursework.
• NuologysupportingTechnology or IntegrationIFPO partnered with Nuology to provide a range of ways to access sector-leading continuous learning content for ongoing professional development in the security industry.
• IFPO CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFPO Canada is the official Canadian division of IFPO, established to support protection officers, security professionals, and industry leaders across Canada with internationally recognized training and certification aligned with Canadian standards.
• IFPO Approved Training PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of authorized training organizations that deliver IFPO certification programs. These partners can offer both internal and external training, including in-person courses for IFPO certifications under IFPO endorsement.
• Dr. Glen Kitteringham, CPPkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Kitteringham designed IFPO's security competency model and provides training courses including Developing the Security Instructor (Train-the-Security-Trainer). He has also released research publications on workplace violence and security officer retention.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASIS International: ASIS International is the most established professional security association globally, offering the CPP, PSP, and PCI certifications for security practitioners. It directly competes with IFPO in the same security professional certification category.
• Security Industry Association (SIA): SIA is a trade association for security product and service suppliers, offering education, certification, and standards work. It competes with IFPO for membership and training mindshare within the security industry.
• International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS): IAHSS provides certification programs (CHPA) for healthcare security and safety professionals. It is a sector-specialized peer offering similar certification and training services to IFPO's vertical.

Broad incumbents

• ISACA: ISACA is a global professional association focused on IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity, offering credentials like CISA and CISM. It is comparable as a security-adjacent non-profit certification body.
• (ISC)²: (ISC)² is a leading non-profit global cybersecurity professional organization offering CISSP and other certifications. While focused on cyber rather than physical security, it overlaps in the security professional certification and training space.
• CompTIA: CompTIA offers IT certifications including Security+ that are widely adopted by security professionals. It competes for the same professional development wallet share, particularly at entry-to-mid levels.

Others

• NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies): NICET is a non-profit certification body for engineering technicians including fire alarm and security systems. It is comparable as a long-standing non-profit professional certification organization serving adjacent security fields.
• Elsevier (Butterworth-Heinemann security publications): Elsevier publishes security management and protection textbooks used in academic and professional security training. It is comparable as a publisher/distributor of authoritative security training content, complementing IFPO's own textbook business.

Emerging players

• EC-Council: EC-Council provides cybersecurity certifications (CEH, CHFI) and training programs. It is comparable as a professional certification and training organization serving the broader security workforce.
• Continuing Education for Security Professionals (SecurityCEU): SecurityCEU is an online continuing education provider serving security officers and security companies needing state-mandated CEUs. It is comparable as a competing channel for security professional training hours.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ifpo.org
• Xx.com/ifponews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFPO