Security: An Overview

It is a sad fact that crime is at an all-time high, with many people protecting themselves, their families, their businesses and their property by employing security companies. But what is bad and expensive news for those who need such help is an opportunity that has seen an enormous growth in the organisations that can provide it.

A total of 250,000 active security officers in Britain undertake tasks from traditional guarding to the operation of highly sophisticated surveillance equipment (3 per cent of the working population is in security-related employment). Last year's Private Security Industry Act will:

- establish a Security Industry Authority to regulate the industry

- license individuals, managers and directors operating in the area

- check on and enforce breaches of the rules, with breaches becoming criminal offences

- maintain and improve standards

- establish industry inspectorates and maintain public records.

The Act does not yet cover in-house or electronic security; first to be affected are wheel-clamping companies and door supervisors, with contract security to follow shortly. There is still debate over the extent to which Parliament or the new Authority should set standards and rules.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the largest trade association for companies operating in this area. It operates regionally and its 340 members are responsible for over 70 per cent of all the security business conducted in the UK. They represent all company sizes with over one-third having a turnover of under £1 million.

Working alongside the BSIA is the Security Industry Training Organisation (now called SITO), which is tasked to set standards for security training and educational policy, and also to support the training industry of the security arena. It breaks down the industry into the following sectors:

- security guarding

- retail security

- locksmithing

- intruder alarm engineering

- fire alarms

- closed-circuit TV (CCTV)

- access control

- leisure security

- investigation

- risk management

- transporting property under guard

- aviation security

- supervisory management

- door supervision.

Key attributes for a security officer are:

- communication skills

- ability to deal with people

- supervisory management

- reception duties

- ability to look after visitors

- driving

- first aid

- post work

- 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 travel in armoured transport protecting money and other valuables. Shift work includes unsocial hours and weekends, and overtime is usually necessary. Guards are usually aged between 21 and 45 although some companies may recruit people from the age of 18 upwards to those in their sixties.

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 customers being taken ill and lost children. They need good inter-personal skills and the ability 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 can expect to 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 (NVQs and SVQs).

The personal qualities for which people are selected, and which are then developed during training, are also highly relevant; 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 in a team is crucial, 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.

The Resettlement Training Centre at Aldershot runs a range of security systems installation and surveying 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 security management course will be available from October 2002.

Qualifications and training

NVQs and SVQs have been developed, largely by SITO, in most sectors of the security industry and there are also a number of Modern Apprenticeships for people under 25. There are degrees and master's degrees that specialise in security, as well as others in disciplines such as management, which will have a heavy focus on security for people to whom it is relevant. The Open College Network has many practical academic qualifications available for the discerning security professional.

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 risk analysis. They should also know about the principles of physical security and information security; they need to be familiar with computer security and contingency planning; and, above all, 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

The minimum training recommended is 'Basic Job Training', which covers static, patrol and retail guarding, door supervision and stewarding, and intruder alarms. It leads to the next training steps, which cover retail, store detection, CCTV and intruder alarm engineering. Some of these lead to a SITO/City & Guilds award and all of them can result in NVQs that cover the whole industry. An example is the Basic Job Training Foundation Course Static & Patrol Guarding, focusing on such areas as Health & Safety, Fire Awareness, Social and Customer Care Skills, and the general roles and responsibilities of a security officer.

Assessor and Internal Verifier courses are suitable for people with an acceptable working knowledge of security practice, and for those in or from the Armed Forces. Other courses prepare people to train supervisors and team leaders to, in turn, 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.

A large security company might train its staff to British Standard 7499 or equivalent. This would involve an induction course for new employees and screening for ten years retrospectively. For some sensitive or high-risk contracts the screening will be longer and some extra courses may be required. Security companies and organisations with a security function will generally screen their staff in accordance with British Standard 7858.

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.

Useful contact details

British Security Industry Association, Security House, Barbourne Road, Worcester WR1 1RS Tel: 01905 21464 Fax: 01905 613625 Website: www.bsia.co.uk

Security Industry Training Organisation, Security House, Barbourne Road, Worcester WR1 1RS Tel: 01905 20004 Fax: 01905 724949 Website: www.sito.co.uk

International Institute of Security, Suite 8, The Business Centre, 57 Torquay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ3 3DT Tel: 01803 663275 Fax: 01803 663251 Website: www.iisec.co.uk

Master Locksmiths Association, 5d Great Central Way, Woodford Halse, Daventry, Northants NN11 3PZ Tel: 01327 262255 Fax: 01327 262539 Website: www.locksmiths.co.uk

Open College Network (SROCN), Runnymede Centre, Chertsey Road, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2EP Tel: 01932 569894 Fax: 01932 564139 Website: www.nocn.org.uk/srocn

Service people spend a great deal of their lives thinking about, planning and implementing security

Most Service people will possess many of the skills that security employers look for

The ability to work in a team is crucial, as is common sense, integrity and courage