This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve our website and provide more personalised services to you, both on this website and through other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, and information on how to block or delete cookies, please see our Privacy Policy. If you continue to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Security Services

SSAIB offers a wide range of certification that fall under the general heading of Security Services certification.

Apply Now

SSAIB offers a wide range of certification that fall under the general heading of Security Services certification.

BS 10800 Provision of Security Services

This standard is the umbrella standard which relates to context of the organisation, management commitment, risks and opportunities, support, operations, and performance evaluation and removes the generic information from the standards listed below, apart from BS 7858.

Companies will be required to meet BS 10800, plus the relevant sector specific standards e.g. BS 7499, before certification can be granted.

BS 7984 – Key Holding and Response Services
There are three standards under the keyholding suite:

- BS 7984-1 Keyholding and Response Services – General recommendations for keyholding and response services for the management, staffing and operation of an organisation providing key holding and response services on a contracted basis.

- BS 7984-2 Lone Worker Response Services

- BS 7984-3 Provision of Mobile Patrol Services

An SIA licence is required when keeping custody of, or controlling access to, any key or similar device for operating (whether mechanically, electronically, or otherwise) any lock.

All SIA licenses, including non-front-line licenses cover the key holding activity. A non-front-line licence is issued in the form of a letter and should only be applied for as long as front-line activity is not carried out.

BS 7960 – Door Supervisors
BS 7960 gives recommendations for the organisation, staffing, operation, and management of companies providing door supervision services to licensed premises or events, and to other individuals, companies, organizations, and designated premises supervisors who provide or employ door supervisors.

An SIA licence is required for this activity for both contract and in-house staff.

BS 7499 – Static Site Guarding and Mobile Patrol Services
BS 7499 gives recommendations for the management, staffing and operation of an organisation providing security guarding services on a static site.

Its recommendations do not apply to all security services. An SIA licence is required for Security Guarding if you are conducting licensable duties, such as:

  • Guarding premises against unauthorised access or occupation, against outbreaks of disorder or against damage.
  • Guarding property against destruction or damage, against being stolen or against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained.
  • Guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others.

The above activities involve providing a physical presence, or carrying out any form of patrol or surveillance, to deter or otherwise discourage unlawful or destructive activities or to provide information to relevant parties should it occur.

BS 8406 – Event Stewarding

BS 8406 gives recommendations for the infrastructure, staffing, operation, and management of organisations providing event stewarding at either indoor or outdoor events.

The recommendations of BS 8406 do not apply to the provision of security services such as static guarding, mobile patrol services or door supervisors.

There is no specific SIA licence for event stewarding as any licensable activities are likely to be covered under other SIA licenses, such as static guarding, door supervision, close protection, or CCTV.

BS 7872 – Cash and Valuables in Transit

BS 7872 gives recommendations for the organization, staffing, operation, and management of companies providing a Cash-in-Transit (CIT, also known as CVIT - Cash and Valuables in Transit) service (collection and delivery) on a contracted basis.

An SIA licence is required for this activity.

BS 7958 - Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Management and Operation

BS 7958 gives recommendations for the operation and management of CCTV within a controlled environment, where data that might be offered as evidence is received, stored, reviewed, or analysed.

For control rooms whose operation falls within the scope of other British Standards (e.g. BS 7499 and BS 5979), all the security requirements, both physical and procedural, of the relevant British Standard remain applicable.

BS 7958 is applicable to:

  • CCTV schemes used in public places - such as town centres, shopping malls, public transport, and hospitals.
  • Schemes that overlook a public space, such as traffic monitoring.
  • Private schemes where a camera view includes a partial view of a public space.

An SIA licence is required for CCTV Public Space Surveillance. The SIA’s definition of public space is as follows:

  • Monitoring for outbreaks of disorder.
  • Guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others.
  • Monitors the activities of a member of the public in a public or private space.
  • Can identify a particular person.
  • Uses CCTV or non-CCTV equipment for purposes other than identifying a trespasser and protecting property


BS 8507 – Close Protection Services Scheme
BS 8507 is in two parts:

Part 1 - Services within the United Kingdom

Part 2 Services outside of the United Kingdom

Part 1 gives recommendations for the management, staffing and operational accountability for the provision of all aspects of close protection services within the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Crown Dependencies.

Part 2 is for service provision not covered in Part 1. Additionally, this code might be used by those who wish to purchase close protection services.

An SIA licence is required for close protection if you are conducting licensable duties, such as guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequences of the unlawful conduct of others. This applies if services are supplied for the purposes of or in connection with any contract to a consumer.

BS 8517 – Security Dogs Scheme
BS 8517 is in two parts:

Part 1 - General Purpose Security Dogs

Part 2 - Detection Dogs

Part 1 gives recommendations for the operational use of a dog by a security dog handler when providing security guarding services on a static site or mobile patrol basis.

Part 2 gives recommendations for the operational use of a detection dog by a detection dog handler when providing passive and proactive detection services, such as: drugs, firearms, munitions, or explosives detection.

There is no specific SIA licence for a dog handler although it is likely that the duties conducted by the handler would be licensable e.g. security guarding or door supervision licence.

BS 7858 - Screening of Individual Working in a Security Environment
This standard gives the recommendation for the vetting and screening of individuals working and is a normative reference for the above standards, which means that firms are required to follow this standard as well as the sector specific standards.

More information about the Security Industry Authority's Approved Contractor Scheme process can be found at www.ssaib.org or www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk

BS 8584  – Vacant Property Protection Services

BS 8584 gives recommendations for the provision of security management services, the provision of manned services (static guarding, mobile patrols, remote monitoring services), physical devices (barriers), electronic systems (alarm and CCTV) and protection by occupation for the security of vacant properties.

Security Services providers who demonstrate such Product and/or Management Systems compliance will have greater market acceptance, as they will have an awareness of all the management and service product standards required to operate a professional security services business.

Other product certification is also available. For more information on Security Services certification, please call 0191 296 3242 to request an information pack.