The Security Alliance - Position Paper

The Security Alliance is a coalition of representative security organisations formed to consult with Government and the Security Industry Authority on the future of regulation of the security industry.  The Security Alliance represents over 80% of the regulated industry whose aim is to ensure that a new “smarter” regulatory framework is established based on the principles shown at Annex A to this paper.

The Government has announced that it is seeking to have a phased transition to a new regulatory regime and that it has asking the Security Industry Authority to put forward proposals, following consultation with industry.   The Alliance sees that it is important to work with other industry stakeholders, the SIA and the Government to have a united position in developing a regulatory regime that is acceptable to all. This paper is intended to set out to Government the Security Alliance's position on the future of regulation in the security industry. 

In order to fulfill its primary aim, the Security Alliance has set the following objectives:

·      to provide the security industry with a single representative voice to Government on this issue;

·      to consult with industry stakeholders to establish a consensual vision on the way forward for the regulated security industry

·      to consider embracing the work being carried out by RISC (UK Security & Resilience Suppliers’ Community) on standards and regulation;

·      to use a risk-based method of assessment in its deliberations;

·      to develop compulsory business registration in the regulated security sector;

·      to seek to establish a consistent regulatory regime that meets the approval of the devolved governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland; and

·      to identify, debate and agree cost effective, robust  and smarter regulatory processes to relieve regulated security of unnecessary red tape including:

o   reducing regulatory costs to both businesses and licence holders, allowing quality businesses the opportunity to have more responsibility for their own regulation;

o   identifying the most effective manner of ensuring regulatory compliance and enforcement;

o   maintaining and improving standards and skills;

o   ensuring an effective model to administer the regulatory regime; and

o   considering other areas of regulation.

·    To work with the SIA to produce, where possible, a fully costed proposal for Government to consider as the basis for a new regulatory regime.

Why?

The Security Alliance believes that achieving its objectives will result in:

·    improved public safety, perception and trust;

·    reduced regulatory costs, administrative and regulatory burdens;

·    an efficient and smart system of regulation;

·    precluding criminals and more specifically, serious and organised syndicates from operating within the regulated security industry; and

·    maintaining credible links with the police and other stakeholders.

How will it achieve its aims?

In order to achieve its objectives the Security Alliance will create an effective representative structure. Using this structure the Security Alliance will:

·      discuss and agree some basic principles and parameters with both the Government and the SIA;

·      consider existing regulatory practices in the security industry and examine alternative and new concepts;

·      provide the industry with a robust and fair consultation exercise on the future of the regulation of the security industry; and

·      operate within the mandate provided by its members and work alongside the SIA to deliver a cost effective industry wide consultation.

The Security Alliance

Constituent Members:

ASIS International,

British Security Industry Association (BSIA),

International Professional Security Association (IPSA),

Security Institute (SyI)

Other members include:

Association of Security Consultants (ASC),

British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body (BIIAB),

Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI),

National Security Inspectorate (NSI),

Fire and Security Association (FSA),

Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB),

Skills for Security (SfS),