Security

Many people protect themselves, their families, their businesses and their property by employing security companies against criminal and terrorist threats at an annual cost of around £6 billion. They employ around 500,000 people, and there are more than 4¼ million CCTV cameras in the UK.

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 has established a Security Industry Authority (SIA) to:

• Reduce criminality within the private security industry
• Raise quality standards within the private security industry
• Continually improve and develop the organisation and its performance
• Meet financial targets and demonstrate value for money to the Home Office and fee paying customers
• Build on its credibility with stakeholders
• Review the application of the Act.

The following sectors or activities must be covered by a licence (cost £245 valid for three years. Failure to do so renders the individual liable to a maximum of a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison):

· Manned guarding, which includes:

- Cash and Valuables in Transit

- Close Protection

- Door Supervision

- Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)

- Security Guarding

· Immobilisation, restriction and removal of vehicles

· Key Holding.

Operating as a private investigator supplied under contract, as a security consultant, or as a precognition agent will be licensed but no date has yet been set for its implementation. To gain an SIA licence, applicants must attend an approved training course, attain a nationally recognised qualification and undergo identity and criminal records checks. Everyone working under contract in licensable sectors will need to be licensed. This includes employees, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies. Licensing does not extend to those who are employed in-house.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the largest trade association for companies operating in this area. Its 570 plus members are responsible for more than 70% by turnover of all the security business conducted in the UK. Industry sectors are:

• Access Control
• Cash and Property Marking
• Cash and Valuables in Transit
• Closed Circuit TV
• Civil Aviation Security
• Export Council
• Information Destruction
• Physical Security Equipment
• Police and Public Services
• Security Consultancy
• Security Equipment Distributors
• Security Equipment Manufacturers
• Security Guarding
• Security Systems.

Working alongside the BSIA is Skills for Security, the Sector Skills Council for the security industry. It is the skills and standards setting body for the sector, responsible for working with employers and other stakeholders to deliver a range of educational and related services to improve skills, raise professionalism and improve business performance.

Key attributes and skills for a security officer are:

• honesty
• communication skills
• ability to deal with people
• supervisory management
• reception duties
• looking after visitors
• driving
• first aid
• mail handling
• fire duties.

Most security is carried out by static guards who patrol premises using CCTV and surveillance equipment. They will probably have radios, and may combine security with gate control and reception duties. Some will use dogs. Mobile guards use vans to patrol a number of establishments while cash-in-transit guards protect money and other valuables.

Store security officers usually work over 40 hours a week, Monday to Saturday, sometimes operating in plain clothes as store detectives. They check for shoplifting, that delivery contents are correct and with general emergencies such as ill customers and lost children. They need good inter-personal skills and to be able to make written reports and give evidence in any case of theft where they have made a citizen’s arrest.

Security alarm fitters install and maintain systems that should have been planned by a trained surveyor. They have to make good any damage, and could be working anywhere from a small private house to a modern office block. They work normal weekday hours with some requirement for overtime and jobs at weekends and response to emergency call-outs. Much of their work involves cramped conditions and working at heights.

Locksmiths install, maintain security devices, including locks and safes in commercial and private premises. They cut keys and can often work closely with security alarm specialists. They often provide a 24-hour call-out service.

Security in the Services

Service people spend a great deal of their lives thinking about, planning and implementing security. Part of basic and more advanced training in some parts of the Forces is the accumulation of units leading to Security National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

The personal qualities for which people are selected and which are then developed during training are also highly relevant, and most Service people will possess many of the skills that security employers look for. They should be physically fit, and able to patrol an area, taking note of what they see and writing a report. Working in a team is critical as is common sense, integrity and courage. They should be able to react to the unexpected, as well as being self-reliant and self-confident.

During resettlement there are a range of intruder alarm and security systems installation courses. Modules take the novice from the most basic level, through intruder alarms, to access control and CCTV, and should provide sufficient knowledge to be able to visit premises and quote for contracts. For the manned guarding sector, there are also specialised programmes to prepare Service leavers for all sectors of this employment field. There are also security management courses available for people who wish to convert security and management expertise into a recognised qualification.

Qualifications and training

Skills for Security/SITO is developing standards and training. The following National Occupational Standards have been approved:

• Cash procession
• CCTV operations
• Common core
• Community warden occupations
• Investigations
• Keyholding & response occupations
• Parking control occupations
• Port security
• Precognition operatives
• Providing cash & valuables in transit services
• Providing close protection
• Security & loss prevention
• Security consultancy
• Security dog handling
• Security management
• Security risk advisers
• Systems sector.

As well as skills frameworks, Skills for Security has developed industry-led apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes with regional UK co-operatives designed to carry out this training. They also accredit and certify courses, deliver Level 2 Certificate for Security Practitioners, run training for trainers, and have developed a CPD passport.

Graduates

Security managers need to have organisational and management skills, a knowledge of law and criminology, an acquaintance with risk theory and the ability to conduct a risk analysis. They should also know the principles of physical security and information security; they need to be familiar with computer security and contingency planning, and they must be able to communicate their ideas professionally.

Many employers now look for a postgraduate qualification. Security industry-specific qualifications, up to Master’s level, demonstrate knowledge of the relevant aspects of security and management, and give the individual personal and professional confidence.

Security Institute

Security practitioners in management positions need their abilities to be understood clearly by employers, and there have been a huge variety of associations, guilds and institutes designed for this purpose. There has been an increase in the range and nature of academic and vocational security related qualifications. Inevitably the mix of qualifications, experience and professional affiliations has confused employers. It is difficult to compare an ex-senior police officer who has no commercial experience, an ex-warrant officer with ten years as an in-house security manager and a graduate with 20 years experience as a regional security manager.

The Security Institute has developed a programme to assess security management experience, academic qualifications, vocational qualifications and contributions to the security profession through an independent professional validation board, which can award three grades of membership:

• Associate
• Member
• Fellow.

The following criteria are considered:

• Work experience including roles and areas of responsibility
• Qualifications including academic security-related and non security-related
• Training including non-examination vocational and non-vocational courses
• Other contributions such as publications, projects and work outside direct employment.

Rates of pay

Starting salaries are around £9,000 to £10,000, rising to between £12,000 and £16,000 when fully trained and experienced, although some may earn considerably more for operating advanced equipment and working in high risk situations. Supervisors can expect to earn upwards of £18,000 while managers could be on £23,000 plus car and other benefits. Overtime is likely to increase the overall worth of any package.

Some useful contact details are:

Security Industry Authority, PO Box 1293, Liverpool, L69 1AX Tel: 0844 892 1025 Website: www.the-sia.org.uk

British Security Industry Association, Kirkham House, John Comyn Drive, Worcester, WR3 7NS Tel: 0845 389 3889 Website: www.bsia.co.uk

Skills for Security Ltd, Security House, Barbourne Road, Worcester, WR1 1RS Tel: 08450 750111 Website: www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk

Security Institute, PO Box 4247, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 9BJ Tel:08453 707717 Website: www.iisec.co.uk

Master Locksmiths Association, 5d Great Central Way, Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northants, NN11 3PZ Tel: 01327 262255 Website: www.locksmiths.co.uk