The Manned Security Services Section of the British Security Industry Association has issued a new standard – 'Towards the Future' – aimed at improving the quality of service provision
The British Security Industry association's (BSIA) Manned Security Services Section has produced a new standard covering operational procedures which is primarily aimed at improving the quality of service provision and informing decisions being made by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The standard – entitled 'Towards the Future' – represents an enhancement of existing membership requirements, and has initially been adopted by Section member companies as a guide to 'Best Practice'. Indeed, the document has also been presented to the SIA to help with the development of its own Approved Contractors Scheme.

Commenting on the standard – which is published at the same time as The Security Institute's 'Guide to the Procurement and Management of Manned Security Services' (see 'Guard right', pp26-29) – BSIA chief executive David Dickinson told Security Management Today: "This standard has been produced for members, by members, and really aims to address the issue of a step change in service provision. We very much hope it will inform the work the SIA is carrying out on its own Approved Contractors Scheme, along with the excellent work that's been done by The Security Institute."

Dickinson feels that the Approved Contractors Scheme will rapidly become the benchmark that differentiates high quality security service providers from all others.

He continued: "In order not to conflict with the requirements of the Approved Contractors Scheme, the BSIA will maintain 'Towards the Future' as a guide to Best Practice until such time as the SIA publishes its own scheme. The longer term intention is that it becomes a mandatory requirement for membership of the Manned Security Services Section."

Indicative timescales suggest that this situation might well occur in advance of the commencement of security officer licensing and the launch of the Approved Contractors Scheme early on in 2005.

In essence, 'Towards the Future' responds directly to client requirements for enhanced services, demonstrating the willingness of BSIA member companies to invest in improved standards that will meet with the professionalism required in a regulated security environment.

Source

SMT