The British Security Industry Association

The British Security Industry Association is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. BSIA members are responsible for more than 70% of UK security products and services (by turnover) including the manufacture, distribution and installation of electronic and physical security equipment and the provision of security guarding and consultancy services.

Their vision is to create a climate where the BSIA hallmark is a symbol of quality and professionalism for security buyers and industry partners.

Their mission is to support their members and encourage excellence; educate the marketplace on the value of quality and professional security; and create an atmosphere in which our members can flourish.

Their values

Dedication – commitment to serving all members equally.
High standards – promote best practice and excellence to add value.
Innovation – push the boundaries, using a positive attitude to lead the industry forward.
Integrity – operate ethically to do the right thing.
Belief – passionate about what they do.

Key areas of BSIA activity include:

Information dissemination

The BSIA disseminates information to members, potential members, users of security products/services, related organisations and the general public to raise awareness and understanding of issues relating to security and crime prevention.

Lobbying

The BSIA lobbies key organisations/bodies to form valuable working partnerships and achieve desirable changes e.g. Members of Parliament, the Home Office, Association of Chief Police Officers, Association of British Insurers.

The BSIA is extremely active in liaising with Government to ensure that legislation reflects industry and customer needs. The Association lobbied for regulation of the security industry for over 15 years, culminating in the introduction of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and the launch of the Security Industry Authority.

Standards

One of the BSIA’s top priorities is the maintenance of high standards within the industry, and it places rigorous requirements on companies wishing to become members. BSIA draws up industry codes of practice and technical documents, often then submitting documents for consideration as British Standards. Our representatives work on European standards committees to ensure these will meet the practical needs of the industry and its customers

Skills

In 2006 a skills body for the private security sector was formed. 'Skills for Security' incorporates the Security Industry Training Organisation, the BSIA's training subsidiary, which was divested from the Association to form the new skills body. The BSIA is working with Skills for Security, alongside other key industry stakeholders, to help to establish a stronger skills foundation which will add further benefits for the industry and its people.