The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) Board of Directors established and maintains a voluntary certification process called the Certified Protection Officers (post nominals: CPO) course, which is based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of private security for Security Officers. The IFPO requires that all programs that offer a certification must be maintained by the individual through a re-certification process. Therefore the CPO certificate is valid for a period of two years, at which time re-certification must be achieved.
Qualified Certified Protection Officers can also obtain the designation of CPO Instructor (post nominals: CPOI). This is a designation that requires qualification and the proper credentials.
After 1998, when the Universal declaration for Human rights defenders passed, many International and Regional NGOs created a post for protection officers. The post is for expertise in Security and risk assessment officers who are responsible for safety of Human rights defenders.