Many people protect themselves, their families, their businesses and their property by employing security companies to safeguard them against criminal and terrorist threats. This means that security is currently high on the UK agenda and, as a result, the market is strong and expanding, and offers a host of roles – as outlined in this feature – to those looking to work in this diverse sector.

The major security organisations

The role of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is, among other things, to reduce criminality and raise quality standards within the private security industry. The following sectors or activities must be covered by a licence (cost £245, valid for three years):
 

•  Manned Guarding, which includes

- Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Close Protection
- Door Supervision
- Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)
- Security Guarding

• Key Holding
• Immobilisation, Restriction and Removal of Vehicles.

The SIA is currently developing its approach to the licensing of private investigation activities. It has now endorsed a qualification and says that it will ensure that licence-linked qualifications are available when it regulates this sector – so, operating as a private investigator, security consultant or 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 nationally recognised qualifications (see the box on the SIA’s modular training scheme), and undergo identity and criminal records checks. Everyone working under contract in licensable sectors needs 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)

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. Its members are responsible for more than 70% by turnover of all the security business conducted in the UK. The industry sectors covered by BSIA members are:

• access control
• associate (suppliers of products or services)
• cash and property marking
• cash and valuables in transit
• closed-circuit TV (CCTV)
• civil aviation security
• close protection
• crowd management
• export council
• information destruction
• leisure industry security
• physical security equipment
• police and public services
• security consultancy
• security equipment distributors
• security equipment manufacturers
• security guarding
• security systems.

Skills for Security
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 enhance business performance.

Security skills gained 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 national and Scottish vocational qualifications in security.

During resettlement there is a range of intruder alarm and security systems installation courses available. Modules take the novice from the most basic level, through intruder alarms, to access control and CCTV, and should provide sufficient knowledge to allow them 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. In addition, there are security management courses available for those who wish to convert their security and management expertise into a recognised qualification.

For specialist dog work (see below), ex-military dog handlers/trainers will find it easier to gain a route into this sector, but it is possible, with the right aptitude and training, for people from other Service roles to succeed in this area.

Employment in the security industry

Static and mobile security guards

Most security is carried out by static guards who patrol premises, and use 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

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 interpersonal skills and the ability to produce written reports and give evidence in any case of theft where they have made a citizen’s arrest.

Security Alarm Fitters

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, jobs at weekends and response to emergency call-outs. Much of their work involves cramped conditions and working at heights.

Locksmiths

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.

Specialist dog handling

As well as the dogs used to patrol premises alongside ‘static’ security guards, another facet of security work that can offer a range of opportunities is specialist dog handling – e.g. working with a ‘sniffer’ dog. In partnership with a correctly trained dog, this kind of employment can include explosive device and narcotic detection, and searching for cash, bodies, firearms, oil leaks and even SIM cards. Work with a search and rescue dog might range from earthquake zones at one end of the scale to searching for lost hill walkers at the other. Sniffer dog handlers can work worldwide. For example, in recent years private-sector search teams have routinely been used in conflict areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan to support the military and to help with private companies rebuilding damaged infrastructure. The nature of this work relies on the handler being flexible, confident, dedicated and willing to learn, as well as having core skills such as being able to work safely using their own initiative, but being able to work as part of a team, too – all skills that are well-established for ex-Service people. Working hours will vary from a basic 35-hour week to several consecutive days when overseas – depending on what each client needs. Rates of pay can differ according to location, duration and complexity of work. An appropriate SIA course is a requirement to work in the civilian sector.
 

Qualifications and training
Skills for Security is developing standards and training for the industry. A list of the national occupational standards that have been approved to date can be accessed from its website (see ‘Key contacts’, below). As well as vocational qualifications, Skills for Security has developed industry-led apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes with regional UK cooperatives designed to carry out this training. It also accredits and certifies courses, and runs training for trainers.

Security Management Roles

Graduates and postgraduates

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 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.

The Security Institute

There has been an increase in the range and nature of academic and vocational security-related qualifications, and security practitioners in management positions need their abilities to be understood clearly by employers, who have inevitably been confused by the mix of qualifications, experience and professional affiliations available. For this reason, the Security Institute (SyI) 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 and Fellow). The criteria considered are:

• 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 written, and participation in projects and work outside direct employment.

Rates of pay

Because of the wide range of job opportunities available in this industry it is difficult to offer specific information about rates of pay, although larger organisations tend to offer broader benefits but with lower basic remuneration, while smaller firms compete by offering higher pay but fewer benefits. Starting salaries may be comparatively low, but increase with training and experience, and there are opportunities to earn considerably more for operating advanced equipment and working in high-risk situations. Overtime is likely to increase the overall worth of any package.