JIM MCGUFFEY, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI
Jim has spent the past 14 years (2012-2026) in the antiterrorism program training law enforcement officers in 26 countries, how to protect critical infrastructure and soft target from terrorist and criminal attacks. Jim joined the U.S. Army at 18, serving two tours in Vietnam, receiving an Honorable Discharge, rank E-5, Good Conduct medal, Vietnam Campaign Medals and an Army Commendation Medal. The majority of Jim’s management career has been in the private security sector serving in senior management roles. Jim earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts Degree in Management. Jim served 8 years in law enforcement prior to accepting an offer to work in Corporate America, where he served 20 years in senior level roles for Global Companies, with responsibility for $100 million profit centers, 1000 vehicles, several thousand employees and 50 high risk facilities. Direct reports were: General Managers, Branch Managers, Area Human Resource Managers, Loss Prevention Managers, Account Executives, Regional Controllers and Training Managers.
For the past 14 years, Jim has served as a private security contractor, vetted by the Department of State. As a private security contractor, Jim served as both staff and lead instructor since 2012 for 79 Antiterrorism Administration Assistance (ATA) courses, training federal, state, local law enforcement, military and private security professionals in the following countries on multiple occasions: Afghanistan, Egypt, Columbia, Jordan, Mexico, India, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Pakistan, Philippines, Tunisia, Jamaica, Qatar, Chad, Niger, Mauritania, India, Senegal, Indonesia, Argentina, Indonesia, Yemen (taught in Jordan), Libya, Bahrain and in the USA, for Saudi Arabia Kingdom.
As an instructor for the Antiterrorism Program, Jim has supervised security risk assessments at the following facilities: Water Treatment Plants, Railway Stations, Bus Terminals, Electric Power Plants, Hotels, Malls, a Hospital, Sports Stadiums, a Secretary of Energy facility, a Secretary of Interior facility, Military Training Centers, Department of Interior facility, National Police Headquarters, a National Control Center for Energy, a National Communications Center, a Government School (ages 5-18), a Mosque, Churches, a National Art Museum, Airports, a Commercial Shipping Pier, a Police College, an International Expo Center, Government Communications Center and other critical infrastructures.
Jim has been a member of InfraGard since 2013, serving in the roles Sector Chief, Regional VP, Executive VP and President ofSouth Carolina InfraGard Member Alliance. InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and the private sector. It is an association of persons who represent businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States.
Jim continues to serve as an expert witness for the security industry, retained by both defense and plaintiff attorneys and organizations in the U.S., Canada, and South America to provide expert opinions in security cases pending litigation. He has also served as a consultant for numerous financial institutions and capital investors, seeking to invest or conduct acquisitions of global security companies.
On January 1, 2025, Jim was approved as a Life Member of ASIS, the world’s largest association of senior-level security professionals, which Jim has been an active member since 1981. As noted above, he is one of approximately 500 security professionals globally to hold all three ASIS International Board Certifications in Security Management. A Board-Certified Designation is acknowledged as the security profession’s highest recognition of practitioners. Rather than the individual stating qualifications on a resume, the individual’s experience and education are verified and reviewed by a professional board of his peers, and once qualified, the candidate is tested in the area of expertise selected and must receive a passing score. Testing is monitored under camera, with supervisory personnel present throughout testing. The CPP®, PSP®, and PCI® certifications are awarded based upon experience, education, and examination that provides an objective measure of an individual’s broad-based knowledge and competency in security management, physical security, and the investigation process. Ongoing professional development is required to maintain each credential. The CPP®, PSP®, and PCI® are administered by ASIS International, the preeminent international organization for security professionals, with 38,000 members worldwide, of which Jim has been an active member since 1981.
Jim’s board certifications in security are accredited by the Department of Homeland Security, the American National Standards Institute, and the International Standards Organization 17024 Standard. In addition, these certifications have been awarded the DHS’s SAFETY Act Designation, which gives ASIS board-certified professionals, their employers, and their customers immediate protection from lawsuits involving ASIS certification and the ASIS certification process that arise out of an act of terrorism. Certified Protection Professional (CPP®) – This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management. Physical Security Professional (PSP®) – The PSP® designation is the certification for those whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys at critical infrastructures and soft targets, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures, and people, or install, operate, and maintain those systems. Professional Certified Investigator (PCI®) – Holders of the PCI® certification have demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation.
Jim has been interviewed regarding security loss events by Good Morning America, CNN HLN, ABC, CBS, New York Times, LA Times, other US and Canadian news media and publications. He is considered a global expert in security. He is one of approximately 500 security professionals world-wide, holding three ASIS Board Certifications in Security Management, Physical Security, and Investigations, accredited by the Department of Homeland Security, the American National Standards Institute, under ISO/IEC 17024: 2012 and International Standards Organization (ISO). In addition, CPP, PCI and PSP are recognized by the American Council on Education (A.C.E.) for college credit and CPP Certification received the SAFETY Act Designation, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jim has provided pro bono security services for the past 25 years for Houses of Worship and charitable organizations, and for the past 30 years, he has served as a Church Council Vice President, Risk Manager, Outreach Chair, and Board Member for various charitable organizations. Jim and his wife, Liz McGuffey have also worked with the homeless for numerous years.