Security Training Thought Leader and Industry Innovator

Mark Costello is the owner and Managing Director of Asset College, an award-winning institution specialising in a broad range of security industry training programs across Australia. With a diverse career portfolio that spans the Australian Defence Force, private security sector, and over 18 years in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, Mark is an authoritative figure in the fields of security, risk management, and workforce development.

In 2006, motivated by his desire to improve training standards in the Australian security industry, Mark founded Asset College which has since evolved into one of the largest and most highly respected security training providers in Australia . The college now offers an extensive suite of over 40 nationally-recognised qualifications spanning all aspects of security, safety and leadership. Mark remains the driving force behind the strategic development and rollout of new programs, ensuring their pertinence by developing and maintaining extensive partnerships with key industry stakeholders.

Under Mark’s leadership, Asset College has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Large Training Provider of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards in 2020, and finalist in this category in 2021, 2022, and 2023. His focus on rigorous quality assurance is manifested in the college’s consistently high student completion rates and resounding endorsements from both industry and graduates.


Background and Contributions
 
Before entering the VET sector, Mark worked in key positions in the private security industry, including operations and business development. His experience in the Australian Army also adds to his range of skills. Mark has contributed to industry and community through participation on a variety of advisory committees and working groups, such as the Department of Home Affairs’ (Aviation and Maritime Security) Screener Reform Project, Queensland Police Ministers Firearms Advisory Committee; as well as technical advisory groups for the development of Nationally Recognised Training Packages in Security, Aviation, Investigations, Risk Management and others with Australian Industry Standards, PwC Skills for Australia and Artibus Innovation. He consults extensively on optimising regulatory frameworks and implementing best practices in workforce capacity-building.

Mark is currently working on projects to develop new accredited qualifications in Operational Safety (Use of Force) Instruction for public and private sector security departments; and a Graduate Certificate in Security, Risk and Intelligence to educate C-suite executives promoting top-down implementation of security strategies.
 

Qualifications and Certifications

Mark holds a Master of Business Administration, post-graduate qualifications in Adult Learning, Community Sector Management, Strategic Leadership and vocational qualifications in Security, Risk Management, Work Health and Safety, and more.

Mark is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with ASIS International, a Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (F.ISRM), a Fellow of the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (FASIAL), a Security Risk Management Certified Professional (SRMCP), and consistently works to enhance his own skills to effectively contribute to the security community.

Mark Costello’s intricate understanding of the complexities and evolving dynamics of the security industry positions him as an invaluable thought leader, particularly at events such as the Protective Security in Government Conference.