Security Standards Driven Forward
by Julian Stanton

The prevention of crime is a growth industry. Like it or not, we find ourselves spending more and more time and money on security measures whether at our business or home.

Some expenditure is by choice, where we value something enough or want to avoid the inconvenience, emotional upset and cost of crime.  Very often this is at the request of insurance companies who insist on us taking appropriate measures in order to satisfy their policy requirements.

Many of us, particularly those involved in security, have a reasonable idea of what security measures need to be taken.  However, due consideration is not always given when selecting a company to provide these security requirements, as we want the job done quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Unfortunately, choosing the wrong security supplier can have dire consequences.  How do you know your intruder alarm system has been fitted to the required standards and that you will not be plagued by false alarms?  Will the system receive police response? Is the installer acceptable to insurers?  Does the manned guarding company providing your contracted security guards vet their staff, pay them acceptable wages, supervise and monitor them?

The problem with security is not just understanding and accepting what measures should be taken, but ensuring the supplier of these services meets the necessary standards.

This is where the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) comes in.  NSI is the only industry wide inspection and certification body in the UK.  An independent, non-profit making organisation, NSI's remit is to promote and monitor consistent high standards across activities relating to the secure environment so that specifiers and consumers can purchase products and services with confidence from reliable, independently assessed suppliers.

Scope Of Inspection Schemes

NSI consists of two divisions, Electronic Systems and Manned Services.  The former operates two schemes, NACOSS and ICON that approve companies installing intruder alarms, CCTV and access control systems as well as companies providing Alarm Monitoring services.  Through these two schemes, NSI also approves companies involved with the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection systems.

The Manned Services division operates under the ISI scheme name and covers an extensive range of 'manned' security services including security guards, secure transportation of cash and valuables, security screening, door supervisors and the monitoring of CCTV.

Standards

NSI Recognised firms must meet industry specific British Standards augmented by Codes of Practice.  Companies are inspected twice a year to ensure they continue to maintain these high standards.  NSI operates two levels of entry for companies.  Product Certification is the entry level for companies and involves a rigorous financial check, proof of extensive competence in operation, staff security screening and appropriate training for personnel.  This is designed for the newer and smaller company and is represented by the ICON scheme for electronic systems and the ISI Inspected Companies Scheme. 

Quality Assured is the higher level certification required to cover the most significant risks offering the highest inspection standards in the industry.  In addition to Product Certification requirements, these companies must operate a Quality Management System to ISO 9000 standards.  Electronic systems installers operate under the NACOSS scheme whilst the manned services division operates the ISI Quality Assessed Scheme.

Impartiality And Accreditation

Although NSI is not a Government organisation it has an ethos very much in the public interest. It remains independent of influence from any of the key stakeholders and its board consists of representatives from the Police, Insurers, Government, Trade Associations, Specifiers and Regulated Companies.  Employees with no conflicting interests, make decisions regarding the admission and removal of companies from NSI schemes.

To ensure NSI discharges its responsibilities in a proper manner, it is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which operates under a Memorandum of Understanding from the DTI.  This ensures that accredited organisations are run by a proper board that take into account opinions of all interested parties.

Meeting Insurers Requirements

Insurance companies are becoming more and more influential in end-user selection of security service suppliers, particularly when businesses are involved.  This has been particularly evident in the case of security system installation but is also becoming more evident for manned security suppliers.  One of the causes of break-ins and subsequent losses are badly installed or wrongly specified electronic security systems resulting in significant losses for insurers.

To this extent, insurers will usually provide cover only where the service supplier is recognised by a UKAS Accredited inspectorate such as NSI, so the insurer is happy that the supplier is providing the best possible service.  In fact, insurers were influential in originally establishing NSI to improve standards within the security systems installation sector.

The Police And False Alarms

A persistent problem for the police is false alarms.  Two key issues contribute significantly to this - badly or inappropriately installed alarms and user setting errors. The latter is down to the user to resolve and in the case of businesses, it is essential that all relevant staff are fully conversant with the system's operational instructions and the implications of false alarms.  The former is down to the specifier to ensure that a suitably qualified and competent installer fits an appropriate system.

This is where NSI comes in.  NSI has worked tirelessly over the years to improve standards amongst installers and have helped reduce false alarms.  However the problem still persists and is a drain on valuable police resources.  Although NSI installers account for approximately 80% in value of commercial installations of intruder alarms and a significant share of the domestic market, there are still a large number of installation firms who exist outside of regulation and account for a significant number of false activation's.

It would be unfair to label all these companies as 'cowboys' as many do operate in a proper manner.  However, a significant number resist working to standards bringing a bad name to the security industry.  The police as well as insurers and NSI want to drive up standards to eliminate this 'cowboy' element. 

The Association of Chief Police Officers, ACPO (ACPOS in Scotland), have produced false alarm policies that have serious implications for all owners of intruder alarm systems.  If you are purchasing a new system and want the police to respond to an activation, make sure the system meets police requirements and is installed by a company acceptable to the police. NSI's schemes, NACOSS and ICON, both meet these requirements.

The Private Security Industry Act

This Private Security Industry Act has led to the creation of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that will be responsible for licensing individuals operating in particular areas of the manned security sector including door supervisors, security consultants, private investigators and keyholders.   This is intended to drive up standards in this area of the industry. NSI's ISI schemes already inspect companies that more than meet these requirements and should be considered, when looking to sub-contract manned security services.

Choosing The Right Supplier

If you are looking for a company providing a service that is covered by one of the NSI schemes, you can get the latest details by calling .  Alternatively, this information can also be found on the NSI website www.nsi.org.uk