The SIA is changing the qualifications needed for an SIA licence. This follows a review of the licence-linked qualifications.

The SIA has developed top-up training to make sure current Door Supervisor and Security Guarding licence holders have the same basic skills and knowledge as new entrants achieving the updated qualifications.

From October 2021, door supervisors and security guards will need to complete top-up training before they renew their licence.

Tony Holyland, Head of Quality and Standards for the SIA, says

The new licence-linked qualifications will better equip operatives to work in the private security industry. They reflect what we have learned from extensive industry consultation and engagement.

By introducing this top-up training we will be bringing the skills of existing licence holders up to date.

Our aim is to improve the basic skills, knowledge, and understanding of security operatives so that they can do their jobs more effectively. This will help to improve community safety and to protect the public in the UK.

A key element of our role as the regulator is to work with the industry to raise standards in private security. The new requirements will help achieve this.

The SIA is including the following in top-up training:

Door Supervisors

• An Emergency First aid At Work qualification (required to take top-up training)
• Use of equipment
• Updated terror threat awareness
• Physical intervention skills training (knowledge and practical)

Security Guards:

• An Emergency First aid At Work qualification (required to take top-up training)
• Knowledge of physical intervention
• Updated terror threat awareness

Does your SIA Badge run out soon? You will need to book the Top-Up Training. Various companies will be offering the Top- Up Training. The SIA has provided this flowchart to help.

If you are unsure how to proceed, please contact us so we can help you pick the best for you. 

SCaN For All Staff, is a module created by CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure), designed to increase awareness of hostile reconnaissance and how staff can help to counter it.

The module includes a short film and then questions to highlight the importance of staff vigilance and the role they can play in disrupting the planning of a hostile act. 

This module is designed for All Staff and outlines the core components of SCaN: 

• See - understanding what hostile reconnaissance is and how to spot it
• Check - knowing what to do if you suspect hostile reconnaissance or identify suspicious activity
• Notify - who should you tell and what should you tell them

To complete the module click here.

The NCSC has produced an e-learning training package: 'Staying Safe Online: Top Tips for Staff'. It’s totally free, easy-to-use and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The training introduces why cyber security is important and how attacks happen, and then covers four key areas:​

• defending yourself against phishing
• using strong passwords
• securing your devices
• reporting incidents ('if in doubt, call it out')

There will be a short quiz at the end to put what you've learnt to the test.

This free government service for UK organisations performs a range of simple online checks to identify common vulnerabilities in your public-facing IT.

All checks are remote, without the need to install software and uses the same kind of publicly available information as cyber criminals use to find easy targets.

 IP address & website 

Check if cyber criminals could attack your systems to gain access to your data via the internet.    

Web browser

Email Security

It's important to invest in first aid training to meet health and safety requirements, but first aid isn't just for the workplace; it's a life skill that we think everyone should have.

That's why The British Red Cross have produced a free First Aid Pack, so everyone has the opportunity to learn some first aid skills. To download your free pack click here: Free First Aid Pack

Free courses are available through a new online platform hosted on the gov.uk website, called The Skills Toolkit. The new platform gives people access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses to help build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.Learn about:

• practical maths
• computer essentials
• personal growth and wellbeing
• professional development
• business and finance
• digital design and marketing
• computer science and coding

The courses have been selected on the advice of experts and leading employers to make sure they meet the needs of business, not just for today but in the future. To see if there any course that you are interested in click here: The Skills Toolkit

IPSA offers free membership to those employed in Industrial or Commercial Security and to those companies who supply services or materials used in connection with Industrial or Commercial Security. They also provide a number of training courses for Industrial or Commercial Security personnel and management and a growing range of services to companies, including official security items and screening aids. IPSA is dedicated to all the front-line workers in the private Security profession.