Title: Security Manager
Company: Harvard Protection Services, LLC
Location: Randolph, New Jersey, United States
Matthew Porcelli, MS, Security Manager at Harvard Protection Services, LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in the Security and Protection Industry.
Mr. Porcelli, an esteemed executive in both security and protection, developed a calling to serve and protect others early in his life. With a professional journey that spans more than two decades and is distinguished by progressive leadership roles within the security sector, he joined Harvard Protection Services, LLC, in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2017 as a security manager. In this capacity, he oversees safety and security operations across multiple properties in New Jersey and New York. His responsibilities include managing staffing and operations, conducting safety training and supporting field technology initiatives. Mr. Porcelli also frequently assists additional locations on Broadway and Fifth Avenue in New York with their security needs. Despite recent operational changes, such as one property entering receivership, he remains committed to upholding high standards of safety for clients and staff alike.
Before joining Harvard Protection Services, LLC, Mr. Porcelli was a security operations manager at U.S. Security Associates, Inc., in the New York City metropolitan area from 2015 to 2017. There, he refined his expertise while acting as a critical liaison between clients and employers, notably managing 330 security officers and supervisors for over 55 client locations. Mr. Porcelli held the same title at Global Elite Group at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, between 2014 and 2015, where he began to develop his skills in operational oversight within high-stakes environments.
Mr. Porcelli’s foundational experience includes five years as a shift supervisor at Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., based in Hialeah, Florida, beginning in 2009. Earlier in his career, he was a police officer and 911 emergency dispatcher with the Maplewood Police Department in Maplewood, New Jersey, from 2008 to 2009, a role that deepened his understanding of crisis response and public safety communications.
A strong advocate for continuous learning, Mr. Porcelli holds an impressive array of academic credentials that have underpinned his professional growth. Influenced by his Roman Catholic upbringing and inspired by the legacy of St. Matthew as a protector, he pursued studies in criminal justice at Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice in 2007. He later acquired a Master of Science in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2014. In addition to formal degrees, Mr. Porcelli completed coursework at the FBI Citizens Academy in Newark, New Jersey, in 2019, focusing on topics such as white-collar crime, cybercrime and counterterrorism intelligence.
Mr. Porcelli’s commitment to lifelong education is further demonstrated through numerous credentials, including master security instructor certification from the International Foundation for Protection Officers, certified protection officer instructor from the International Foundation for Protection Officers, the completion of Occupational Safety and Health Administration outreach training from the University of South Florida and executive protection credentials from ASIS International. Mr. Porcelli also holds advanced credentials from The Institute of Strategic Risk Management, including diplomas in strategic risk and crisis management, and maintains certifications related to aviation security, incident command systems and emergency management dating back to the early stages of his career.
Mr. Porcelli’s commitment extends beyond daily operations to active involvement in industry organizations and volunteer leadership roles. He has contributed to ASIS International through numerous roles such as co-chairing the “International Risk & Resilience” webinar series since 2018. He has served as the community vice president for ASIS International since 2021. Among other initiatives, Mr. Porcelli has served as a steering committee member of FLOSIG within The Security Institute since 2023 and, since 2024, as the chair of the North America Hub for The Institute of Strategic Risk Management and as an ethics committee member for the International Foundation for Protection Officers. Mr. Porcelli is also an elected fellow of The Institute of Strategic Risk Management and an active member of the National Association of Safety Professionals and The Security Institute.
With an equally robust civic background, Mr. Porcelli serves on the advisory council for the Crisis Response Journal while maintaining active involvement with Hostage US, InfraGard, Airline Ambassadors International and Habitat for Humanity International. His decade-long volunteer service as an auxiliary police lieutenant with Roseland Auxiliary Police also underscores his dedication to community safety beyond paid employment.
As an author and thought leader within the industry, Mr. Porcelli has contributed extensively to professional literature, authoring or co-authoring more than 55 publications, addressing topics such as frontline officer empowerment, enterprise risk management and improvisation in security practice. Recent works include “Frontline Security Officers: An Imperative Force Multiplier,” featured in City Security Magazine in 2023, and “Bullet-Proofing Balloting Season,” published by the Crisis Response Journal in 2024. He has also been engaged in collaborative presentations delivered at GSX – ASIS International events. Furthermore, Mr. Porcelli is recognized for engaging audiences through podcasts such as “The Security Circle Podcast,” where he has discussed personal motivation within the field, underlining his philosophy that excuses today should not become regrets tomorrow.
Throughout his career, Mr. Porcelli has set himself apart by choosing private security as his primary professional path rather than transitioning from law enforcement or military service, a route less traveled among his peers. Starting as a security officer in 2009 despite modest entry-level wages, he has built a reputation for expertise through ongoing education and industry certifications.
Among Mr. Porcelli’s most notable achievements was winning the Outstanding Young Security Professional Award at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards in 2023, a testament to his impact on the industry. He has also received recognition from Life Safety Alliance in 2024 and was named a Top 30 influencer in North American Security by Security Journal Americas in 2026. Other distinctions include recognition as a finalist for International Achiever of the Year by The Security Institute across multiple years. Looking ahead, Mr. Porcelli remains dedicated to continuous improvement within the realm of security management, committed to refining his expertise through ongoing education while seeking new ways to enhance protective measures for people and property alike.
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