The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has welcomed the British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) recently published “Cyber Secure It - Best Practice Guidelines for Connected Security Systems," promoting the importance of secure connections throughout the supply chain in order to protect against cyber security threats. The new guidelines outline a risk-based framework for manufacturers, installers, monitoring centres, maintainers and other stakeholders involved in the manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and inspection of such systems, for the benefit of e...

Interserve, one of the Top 30 largest Security providers in the UK has reached an agreement with its creditors to deal with its rising debts. The firm's lenders which include RBS, HSBC and BNP Paribas have agreed to help reduce its debts from £600m to around £275m by issuing £480m of new shares, to be swapped with its creditors for debt amounting to 97.5% of its entire share capital. This deal is subject to the approval of Interserve's current shareholders and will be finalised within the next few weeks. Debbie White, CEO of Interserve in a Press Statement said: "This proposal has b...

IFSEC Global has announced its judging panel for the 2019 edition of its Security and Fire Influencers, with Labour peer Lord Toby Harris and National Basketball Association (NBA) security chief Jerome Pickett starring. Lord Harris has previously represented the Home Secretary in overseeing the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terror work. Subsequently a member of the Police Counter Terrorism Board, he has a keen interest in policing, cybersecurity and counter-terror. Pickett, who joined the NBA last month as executive vice president and chief security officer, is an expert in crisis manage...

In 2018 we have seen some dramatic changes in the Top 30 List of regulated security companies, which chiefly includes MITIE Plc’s acquisition of Vision Security Group from Compass Plc. In other news, Cardinal Security was bought out of financial difficulties and administration by Amberstone Guarding Ltd, allowing Amberstone to preserve Cardinal's customer base and workforce. Furthermore, Securitas acquired the MK group and Kingdom Security has acquired Keyline Chartered Security. Meanwhile, Interserve announced their first Deleveraging Plan in November 2018 in a bid to restructure their ris...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced its annual Summit will take place this year on 21st March 2019 at The Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham. Approved companies can now register on the NSI Summit Website. In its sixth year, this highly popular, informative and free to attend one-day event offers an opportunity for approved companies to gain insights on industry developments, products, technology and business from recognised experts and security industry leaders. It’s a quick and convenient way to obtain practical, tangible ideas and hear expert perspectives on the latest...

As of today (Monday 14 January) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched a new consultation to help determine the content of the next generation of compulsory qualifications for licenced operatives in the private security industry. This new consultation starts today and will run for four weeks until Monday 11 February 2019. To have a say on the draft specifications for the licence-linked qualifications, please visit the consultation website. Following an initial consultation last year the SIA has been working closely with expert working groups to inform the content of these draft s...

Following the departure of James Kelly in November 2018, today the BSIA has announced the appointment of Mike Reddington as the new BSIA Chief Executive. He will be taking up his new role as of Monday 21st January 2019. Mike has worked in the security industry for over 25 years. Beginning his career in electronic engineering & systems installation Mike then moved into sales and marketing. This led to him rising into senior roles for a variety of leading blue chip organisations, such as Honeywell and ADI. Since 1994 Mike has been in Executive & Director-Level positions for a wide va...

On Thursday 28 February, professionals from the UK’s security sector will once again be given the opportunity to listen to the views aired by a line-up of first-class speakers and contribute to matters affecting the industry at the Thought Leadership Summit which runs on the afternoon of the 2019 UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex will speak about how businesses and the private security sector can better engage to complement the work of the police. Dr Glen Kitteringham will discuss new global research that invites a reth...

Yesterday, Monday 10 December, the Security Industry Authority's (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions team and Hertfordshire Constabulary were at the Forum, the Student Union bar of the University of Hertfordshire. Sharing best-practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe. The aims of the event were to promote the importance of safer restraint and reduce any possible violence during the festive season. The initiative marks the Hatfield leg of a campaign to improve students' safety during the ...

Interserve Plc, one of the UK's largest Security and Facilities Management Contractors has announced it is seeking a new rescue deal with the support of the Cabinet Office to restructure its debts, projected to rise to more than £600m by the end of this year. Interserve employs 75,000 people worldwide and manages service provision at sites ranging from The Ministry of Defence's training base on Salisbury Plain to King George Hospital, East London.On 23 November 2018, the Interserve Board announced that it is working with its advisers to look at all options to deliver the optimum capit...