Navigating the complexities of modern business often calls for expertise that internal teams may not possess. Enter Pinkerton Dedicated Professionals (PDPs) —a transformative approach to security and risk management. These embedded subject matter experts (SMEs) go beyond merely filling roles. PDPs immerse themselves in the client’s organization, seamlessly integrating into their teams and adapting to their unique cultures. At the heart of this model is Pinkerton’s Center of Excellence (CoE), a dedicated hub fostering growth and success for both clients and PDPs alike.
Embedded Experts in Corporate Risk Mitigation
Since the 1800s, Pinkerton has refined the art of placing highly skilled experts into client organizations across all industries. Our first PDPs were embedded in all the large traveling circuses of the 1880s. They kept an eye out for grifters, pickpockets, and other troublemakers — helping to make the shows respectable places for spectators.
Today, Pinkerton's enduring presence, global infrastructure, and deep expertise in security and risk management make it the preferred destination for professionals seeking high-impact opportunities. With nearly 1,300 PDPs embedded across 39 countries, Pinkerton attracts specialists in intelligence analysis, security management, and data analytics, serving a diverse range of industries and all sizes of organizations — from managing Global Security Operations Centers (GSOCs) to supporting one-person security departments.
…nearly 1,300 PDPs across 39 countries…
Our modern PDP model is designed to place the right experts within client organizations — strategic, tactical, or technical specialists who fully grasp the client’s unique vulnerabilities, stay abreast of the latest risk-mitigating strategies, and have access to vital, accurate information globally. With Pinkerton taking charge of recruiting, onboarding, role-specific training, and ongoing development, it’s a streamlined model built on integration, expertise, and measurable outcomes, setting a new standard in risk management and security solutions.
The COE: Driving Success for Clients and SMEs
Pinkerton’s Center of Excellence (CoE) is the backbone of the Pinkerton’s embedded Subject Matter Expert (SME) model. It exists beyond HR and account management, and its mission is clear: to enhance the embedded security professional’s experience to improve client outcomes. The CoE helps to facilitate seamless integration as well as minimize risks like misalignment or performance gaps by facilitating open communication and setting clear expectations from the outset.
Understanding and aligning with client goals are crucial for successful integration. The CoE works closely with clients to understand their unique needs, objectives, and organizational culture. This deep understanding helps tailor the approach of SMEs so that they are not just fulfilling roles but actively contributing to strategic goals. Through regular alignment meetings and feedback loops, the CoE helps Pinkerton embedded SMEs stay on track, adapting as client needs evolve.
…our SOC team has grown stronger and more confident, consistently delivering service that meets the highest standards…
The CoE is not merely support for clients; it is a catalyst for PDP excellence. Through personalized mentoring, SMEs gain insights to navigate client environments effectively and refine their skills. The CoE enhances connectivity by facilitating global, role-specific peer knowledge-sharing sessions, allowing SMEs to exchange best practices and cultivate a community. They also have access to extensive corporate resources, benefiting from industry insights, benchmarks, and specialized expertise. Regular training and professional development opportunities ensure SMEs remain at the cutting edge, while clear paths for growth — whether through new roles or corporate trajectories — pave the way for long-term success. Regular engagement with a dedicated CoE contact fosters open communication, reinforcing the PDP’s support network beyond day-to-day tasks.
For PDPs, this means a higher satisfaction rate. For clients, this translates into a powerful advantage: elite expertise delivered as a flexible budget line item, backed by an organization that has a legacy of success. The CoE’s role in fostering collaboration and alignment makes Pinkerton’s embedded model a strategic asset for any organization navigating complex risks
Embedding Success: Pinkerton Center of Excellence Benefits
For over a decade, one of Pinkerton’s dedicated professionals was embedded within a large organization along with a team of other PDPs. He thrived in an environment where alignment with the client's vision was paramount. He understood that he was an integral part of the client’s security program, impacting the client culture as much as it impacted him.
However, his journey didn't stop there. He embraced every chance to engage with the embedded employee specialists, mentors, and peers, both within the vast onsite SME team and across other accounts. His approach was strategic — each handshake and conversation was a step in his professional development. This relentless pursuit of growth and visibility ultimately culminated in an executive role at Pinkerton — a testament to his dedication and the opportunities afforded through the CoE.
The CoE also helped me define my personal objectives and supported me in pursuing them…
Another former PDP, who recently transitioned from the field to corporate, said her success was built on developing relationships with fellow Pinkertons as much as with the client contacts. The CoE played a crucial role in facilitating those connections.
She said, “It’s important for PDPs to maintain both levels of relationships, especially with other SMEs who understand the unique dynamic.”
And yet another PDP, who spent eight years embedded at a client site, attributes his success and career path to his connection with Pinkerton, feeling like he was part of a bigger team and less like he was isolated. As he said, “This was very important in keeping productivity high.”
His advice to future Pinkertons: set clear goals and take all the training and professional development available to you through the CoE. It benefits the client as much as it does you.
Why Pinkerton?
Clients couldn’t agree more. When one client was asked, "Why Pinkerton?"
They answered:
.. [our firm] would have difficulty establishing viable career pathways to ensure that we could attract and retain the best candidates...every employee should have an aspirational career next step. As Pinkerton employees, they have multiple growth opportunities beyond our account, and appropriate professional development options at their disposal.
Clients value Pinkerton's ability to bring in future-focused, qualified candidates that their firms cannot support on a career path as full-time employees. Without a defined pathway, internal resources can stagnate, and career-focused candidates may not view the opportunity in the same light as they see one with upward mobility, continuous training, and mentoring.
Pinkerton Corporate Security Services and Solutions
Pinkerton’s embedded SME model redefines how organizations leverage specialized talent, blending the flexibility of contract work with the depth of full integration. The Center of Excellence is the secret to this success. With a dedicated team, the CoE focuses on enhancing the SME experience to drive unparalleled client satisfaction.
Curious about how this model can elevate your organization? Contact Pinkerton today to explore the possibilities.