Security requires a complex body of knowledge, analyical abilities, and the skill to prescribe suitable security measures for individual circumstances, as well as the effective use of an array of other managerial skills. As a profession, security is at the stage where finance and data processing were 20 or 30 years ago. Much progress has been made toward the formal identification of the field's body of knowledge and the establishment of academic programs addressing that subject matter. In addition, the certification of security professionals begun more than 10 years ago. Nevertheless, security faces obstacles in its efforts to gain acceptance as a profession. Until those who hire security, practitioners understand the qualifications necessary for effective performance; The field will be vulnerable to the image problems caused by unqualified persons who are ineffective in their efforts. Therefore, entrants to the field should be educated about the requirements for professional practice, and individual practitioners must demonstrate professional competence and communicate an accurate picture of the security profession to business colleagues.