The following standards are promulgated to ensure conduct by individuals designated by the Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO™) credential does not reflect adversely upon the profession or the cATO™ designation. The following cATO™ Character Standards also provide notice to individuals pursuing cATO™ certification that certain conduct would bar certification, or require an individual to petition the Certifying Board of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals for consideration.

Unacceptable Conduct

The following conduct is unacceptable and will always bar an individual from certification. If an individual was previously awarded certification, the following conduct will result in automatic revocation of the cATO™ designation.

• Conviction of any crime classified as a Felony or equivalent under the laws in the individual's country of residence, including any crime punishable by one year or more of imprisonment.
• Membership, support, or affiliation (outside the context of official government business) with any group, or members of any group, designated as a 'terrorist organization' by the European Union or the governments of Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States. List.
• Support or advocacy, in any form, for actions that may predictably cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a Government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act.

Other Unethical Conduct

Other ethical matters that may reflect adversely upon the profession or the cATO™ credential will be reviewed by the Certifying Board of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals after the candidate has successfully demonstrated completion of the education and experience requirements for certification. If an individual was previously awarded certification, conduct deemed unethical will result in suspension of the cATO™ designation until the matter is investigated and adjudicated by the Certifying Board of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals.

Additional circumstances that may invoke presumptive suspension of the cATO™ designation include dishonorable discharge from military service, disbarment from legal practice, revocation of another license or certification for reasons of ethical violation, felony arrest, and allegations of illegal activity deemed credible by the Certifying Board of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals.