Skills for Security has appointed Darrell Gilmour as the new Director of Technical Training. Darrell has worked in the fire and security industry for almost a decade starting his career as an alarm apprentice and installation engineer, later moving towards sales and design with well-known Kings Secure Technologies. In 2018 he took up a brief post with Marlowe Fire and Security gaining experience with varying markets and larger projects, before entering the educational sector with New College Lanarkshire as a Lecturer. Darrell holds a certified ISMI* Security Management Professional Di...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced the full list of national finalists for its British Security Awards 2021, which will again take place as an online showcase event. The event will be held on the original scheduled date of Wednesday 30 June and will now be held digitally due to the ongoing uncertainty and restrictions surrounding large scale events. This year the awards scheme received a record number of entries, from which the chosen finalists will now go forward to be recognised and awarded for their contribution to the security industry in the last 12 months, ...

Connelly Security Systems (CSS), members of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), have partnered with Skills for Security to access its newly developed online technical Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to upskill their engineers. Over the next year, CSS intend to use Skills for Security’s online courses to upskill their workforce, starting with an initial ten engineers. The courses are aimed at installers, project managers, surveyors and maintenance engineers. The training will be delivered through a customised virtual training portal enhancing their knowledge...

A Preston man has been ordered to pay a four-figure sum for providing unlicensed security to a school. Last Tuesday (20 April 2021) Martin Coe of Blackpool was handed a £6,548 Confiscation Order at Preston Crown Court, payable within three months. If he fails to pay he will face a 60-day jail sentence. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £5,000 to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) within 12 months. Tuesday's decision follows the SIA's prosecution of Martin Coe last October. Coe was the former director of Evolution Security Services NW Limited (now dissolved). He was found g...

Perpetuity Research, led by Professor Martin Gill CSyP has been commissioned by The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) to undertake a ground-breaking study to explore the roles, responsibilities and training of frontline security officers. We are looking for frontline security officers in the UK or Ireland to take part in an on-line survey where they will be asked questions about the tasks they undertake, the skills required and the training they have received. The survey will take no longer than 15-minutes and will consist of mostly multiple-choice questions. The...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has recognised the work of its members’ frontline security officers across the United Kingdom during COVID-19 by announcing its regional security personnel winners for 2021.   The BSIA’s regional security personnel awards are part of the Association’s national British Security Awards, which will be taking place on 30 June. All regional winners will now go forward as national finalists. For over 20 years the regional awards, sponsored by Camberford Underwriting, have recognised the talent, dedication, skill and bravery exhibit...

On the day before they come into force, Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA (Security Industry Authority), marks the introduction of the changes to training for SIA licence applicants and licence holders. The statement confirms the changes, the context behind their introduction and their importance in public protection.   “Tomorrow marks the introduction of the updates to the existing qualifications needed to apply for an SIA licence for the first time.   I want to take this opportunity to confirm the changes, why they are needed, and how this will benefit the ...

*Press Release* The first-ever virtual UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place on 25th February 2021. Hundreds of security professionals tuned in to the live-streamed virtual award ceremony to celebrate the best of the best from across the sector – with guest appearances from Paul Sinha (AKA The Sinnerman from the Chase) and Alan Dedicoat known by many as ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery programmes. This year, once again, companies, initiatives, technologies, individuals and teams were honoured in sixteen categories for their outstan...

The event promises to be fun and lively with guest appearances from Paul Sinha, known by many as ‘The Sinnerman’ on the Chase, and Alan Dedicoat the ‘Voice of the Balls’ on the National Lottery programmes. The event, sponsored by TEAM Software, is free-to-attend and will include entertainment and surprises! A Zoom Afterparty will follow providing an opportunity congratulate the winners and network with colleagues and friends from the industry. To secure you place register here ...

*Press Release* 01/02/2021 - The British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) video surveillance section has launched an ethical and legal use guide for Automated Facial Recognition (AFR). The guide is the first of its kind, following recommendations on responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and encompasses useful terms and abbreviations, ethical uses, and more. The guide has a specific focus on distinctive application types verification (is it you?) and identification (who is it?). Both industry expert...