Firstly, before handing over the keys and responsibility for your business to an external professional keyholding company like Viper Security you’ll want to know that they and their staff are dependable, 100% reliable and honest. Accreditations by professional bodies can do just that. In addition to this approving the nature of a security supplier, they likewise give a stringent arrangement of criteria by which their individuals must stand, giving you complete peace of mind
Our services are continually being adapted and developed to keep pace with new technologies, relevant legislation and ever-increasing customer needs and expectations. Third party certification provides reassurance to your existing and potential customers that you are a reputable and trusted contractor that has been independently verified as meeting industry standards.
What to look for when choosing a security company for your business or construction site?
Accredited contractors for business security can display the SIA logo on their websites and marketing literature. As well as this, they should be able to explain to you the benefits associated with this accreditation and what it represents. Have a chat with them and see what being accredited means to them, and how it can benefit your business – it’ll also help you to gain an understanding of the organisation’s work ethos and philosophy. Our keyholding and alarm response team can protect your business by offering a robust and visible deterrent to potential intruders and a rapid response service in the event such an incident does indeed occur. Viper Security offer a range of cost-effective outsourced keyholding services, all of which are tailored to the needs of each individual customer.
The simplest way to see if a security provider is SIA approved is to use the online SIA database checker. It is an offence for a company to claim it is an approved contractor when it is not; this includes indirectly claiming to be an approved contractor by displaying the ACS accreditation mark. The penalty is a fine of up to £5,000.
What is SIA Approved Contractor Status?
Responsible for regulating the private security industry, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is an independent body who report to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
The SIA have two main duties. To undertake the compulsory licensing of ALL individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry, and to manage the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).
A voluntary scheme, the ACS assess Security Contractors against 89 individual indicators of achievement, designed to ‘help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards in the private security industry’.
The objective of the Approved Contractor Scheme is to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities, while better serving customer needs.
What is SIA looking for in an accredited contractor?
The application is reviewed against the following:
- SIA licensed staff. Achieving and maintaining approval is dependent upon your organisation having at least 85% of your security staff licensed at all times, regardless of whether or not they are currently deployed.
- Fit and proper organisation / management. We must be satisfied that the company seeking approval is a ‘fit and proper’ organisation. In addition to this, directors of the company must be considered ‘fit and proper’ persons and must not currently be disqualified from being directors. Known allegations against directors may need to be investigated before proceeding.
- Licensed directors. All licensable directors must hold a valid SIA licence or, in our view, have taken adequate steps to obtain one.
- Significant complaints. If there are significant concerns or complaints against your organisation or its senior management, these may have to be investigated further before proceeding.
- Self-assessment. The Self Assessment Workbook (if applicable) has been completed properly with justification provided for the self-assessment.
What are the benefits of using an SIA approved contractor?
- By using an SIA approved contractor you can be reassured that the contractor:
- Employs fully trained and properly vetted staff
- Has been extensively assessed in respect of quality and best practices
- Is committed to customer service
- Will provide a service customised to your needs
- Can work with the police, businesses and the local community through ‘joined-up’ working relationships
What other security accreditations should I look out for?
As well as the Approved Contractor Scheme, companies can be accredited by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). Our main services is the provision of manned security guards, all our security guards are licensed for the work they carry out, whether security, door supervisor, event security, or CCTV. They display their SIA licence and their ID pass at all times. Our call centre is 24hr and the status of your guard can be tracked at any time.
