As we countdown to the end of 2022, we take time to pause and reflect on the past year, the highlights and achievements during what has been a fast and challenging year for all.2022 marked the start of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Large public gatherings, celebrations, festivals, gigs and sporting events became possible again. The Commonwealth Games, Glastonbury, and the Platinum Jubilee are just some of the high-profile examples of the pr...

A counter-terrorism emergency planning exercise in a Glasgow nightclub before the holiday (10 April) saw security operatives dealing with realistic terror scenarios presented by actors.The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which is the regulator for the private security industry, ran the safety resilience exercise at Kokomo on Glasgow's West Regent Street. The SIA organised the exercise, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, in partnership with Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers and Glasgow City Council.The training e...

Zoë Billingham has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the SIA. Her appointment is effective from 06 December 2021 and she becomes a member of the Board of the SIA. Her tenure will be for three years.Zoë is a lawyer by background and she brings to the Board a wealth of experience in the oversight of public safety. She has spent much of her career inspecting public services to promote improvement. She was formerly a lead inspector with Her Maj...

Family-run security firm, CDX Security was recently scored in the top five per cent of UK security firms, following a successful audit from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), commissioned by the SIA, aims to protect the public and maintain and improve standards within the security industry. Firms are marked against seven criteria and must consistently demonstrate excellent service delivery and sound business manag...

Heather Baily QPM, the Security Industry Authority Chair has announced the appointment of Michelle Russell as their new Chief Executive.Michelle Russell has been serving as Acting Chief Executive since October 2020. She joined the SIA as Director of Partnership and Interventions in January 2020, leading the criminal enforcement and regulatory inspection functions. She has over 25 years’ experience of working in regulation and regulatory environments in...

On Sunday night (10 October) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is running a safety resilience exercise at West End venue, The Cuckoo Club. The SIA is running the exercise in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service, Profile Protection Security Services Ltd, West End Security Group, Safer Business Group, the Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps, Inspirations Theatre Company, and The Cuckoo Club itself.The training event at The Cuckoo Club comprises a series of real-time simulations, involving actors and volunteers, of possible emerge...

Today, Friday 10 September, the Security industry Authority (SIA) is launching Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Security e-learning for security professionals. The SIA developed the new training in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.ACT Security is free, specialised training for front line security operatives. The custom-built training provides up-to-date counter-terrorism knowledge to help operatives prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents whils...

Change to the launch date for the new Close Protection qualificationThe SIA has extended the introduction of the updated Close Protection qualification to 01 April 2022.The new implementation date will allow for full testing of the new skills before they are introduced. They will run a pilot in early 2022 with selected training centres. This will enable those delivering the qualification to provide feedback on the new bespoke physica...

Volume one of the report, which addresses the security arrangements at the Arena on the night of 22 May 2017, has been published today.Our thoughts today are with those who lost loved ones, suffered injuries, and had their lives shattered because of that terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena that night....

Today, 07 June 2021, Heather Baily QPM, starts her new role as the Chair of the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Appointed by the Home Office, her term as Chair will run for three years.As Chair of the Authority Heather Baily will contribute to the overall strategic direction and corporate oversight of the SIA, ensuring with other Authority Members, that the SIA’s Executive Team is held to account for discharging its duties effectively and to the hig...