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 more than £5 billion. They employ around 600,000 people, while 2,000 security guarding companies employ 125,000 security officers. There are more than 4.25 million CCTV cameras in the UK.

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

• license people operating in the area
• check on and enforce breaches of the rules
• maintain and improve standards
• establish industry inspectorates and maintain records.

The following sectors or activities must be covered by a licence (failure to do so makes the individual liable to a maximum of a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison:

• door supervisors both in-house and supplied under contract
• vehicle immobilisers on private land both in-house and supplied under contract
• security guards supplied under contract
• key holders supplied under contract
• close protection operatives supplied under contract
• cash and valuables in transit operatives supplied under contract
• CCTV (public space surveillance) operatives supplied under contract.

Operating as a private investigator supplied under contract or as a security consultant will be licensed but no date has yet been set for its implementation.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the largest trade association for companies operating in this area. Its 500-plus members are responsible for more than 70 per cent of all the security business conducted in the UK. Industry sectors are:

• access control
• cash and property marking
• closed-circuit TV
• security equipment distribution
• export council
• information destruction
• manned security
• security equipment manufacturing
• physical security equipment
• police and public services
• security systems, and
• transport (cash in transit).

Working alongside the BSIA is Skills for Security, the newly designated Sector Skills Council for the security industry, which incorporates SITO, the former security national training organisation. 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 skills
• reception duties
• escorting 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 deal with general emergencies such as sick 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 and 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. The ability to work as part of a team is critical, as are common sense, integrity and courage. They should be able to react to the unexpected, as well as being self-reliant and self-confident.

The Resettlement Training Centre at Aldershotruns a range of intruder alarms and security systems installation courses. The two-week modules take the novice from the most basic level, through intruder alarms, to access control and CCTV, gaining sufficient knowledge to be able to visit premises and quote for contracts. A three-week security management course is also available for those who wish to convert security and management expertise into a recognised qualification.

Qualifications and training

Skills for Security/SITO is developing standards and training. Currently on offer are the following packages.

·Level 4 in Security Management – giving learners the opportunity to bring together their education, training and experience to gain accreditation for their developing management skills within the sector.

·Basic Job Training for:

– CCTV (PSS) Operatives – delivered under licence

– Security Guarding – also delivered under licence.

·Basic Weapon Recognition Trainer Course – aimed at Level 3 qualified trainers already delivering training to the cash and valuables in transit, security guarding, door supervision, community warden, event steward and associated sub-sectors.

·City & Guilds Certificate in Delivering Learning (7302) – an entry-level teaching qualification that will allow people to deliver training for licensing to security staff.

·Conflict Management Trainer (City & Guilds 1886) – enabling qualified trainers to deliver conflict management training for licensing to security staff.

·First Aid at Work Trainers Courses (one and five day) – training first aid-qualified people in first aid training techniques to deliver in-company and/or public courses.

·Risk Analysis and Security Surveyors Course – for managers and consultants who will be actively involved in negotiating and agreeing security contracts.

Skills for Security has also developed industry-led apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes with six regionally based UK cooperatives designed carry out this training. It also accredits and certifies courses, and has developed a continuing professional development (CPD) passport for the industry, as well as working on skills frameworks.

Graduate qualifications

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.

Vocational qualifications

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 next training modules likely to be taken by the individual who wishes to further their career might cover retail, store detection, CCTV, intruder alarm engineering, or even port and airport security. Some of these lead to an award and all of them can result in NVQs across the industry.

Assessor and verifier courses are suitable for people with an acceptable working knowledge of security practice, and are suitable for people in or from the Armed Forces. Other courses prepare people to train supervisors and team leaders to train and assess staff in the workplace. However, qualifications in such areas as first aid, internal quality audit, fire prevention, health and safety, and employment law are also valued.

Some employees may face screening for ten years retrospectively. For some sensitive or high-risk contracts the screening will be longer and some extra formal training may be required.

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.

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Contact details

Security Industry Authority, PO Box 9, Newcastle upon TyneNE82 6YX, Tel: 08702 430100 Website: www.the-sia.org.uk

British Security Industry Association, Kirkham House, John Comyn Drive, WorcesterWR3 7NS Tel: 0845 389 3889 Website: www.bsia.co.uk

Skills for Security, Security House, Barbourne Road, WorcesterWR1 1RS Tel: 08450 750111 Website: www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk

International Institute of Security, Suite 8, The Business Centre, 57 Torquay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3DT Tel: 01803 663275 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

Been there done that…

Gareth Ogden

Ex-Lance Corporal Gareth Ogden served 13 years in the Army as a driver before deciding ‘it was time to go’ in early 2005, and taking up a new career in security and close protection. Service in Iraq, Germany, Northern Ireland and Great Britain had gained him and NVQ in Road Haulage, all his LGV licences and training in protective mobile skills.

He reports that his Uxbridge Career Transition Workshop ‘spells out what you are going into in civilian life.’ Apart from a driving awareness course, his main resettlement effort was devoted to CP training run by the Nemesis Group, and he would ‘totally recommend the course.’ Although he found the RFEA job finding service ‘very useful,’ Ogden’s first job came through his own efforts: ‘I just sent my CV out three months before I was due to leave the Forces, I was asked for an interview straight away, and secured my job six days after my discharge date.’

Working with Global Group security for the US Embassy in Kabul, he is now a Security supervisor, ‘managing and co-ordinating with the client the requirements for an effective and secure construction site during day and night, and organising static and mobile patrols around 15 locations.’ Despite long hours, the rewards are good and many aspects of the task are very familiar. He also enjoys the control that he now has over his own future.