When it comes to choosing your security company or switching to a new one, your first port of call should be to look at the SIA Approved Contractor Register. It is absolutely essential that you select a security company with this accreditation. Why? Because this status is proof that they can do what they should AND to the highest quality and industry standards. In this article, we show you what SIA is, why it is important, and the benefits of choosing a security company that has it.
SIA Approved Contractor Register – what is it?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is an independent body formed in 2001. Their purpose is to regulate the UK’s private security industry which accreditations play a key role in.
The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is currently a voluntary accreditation system that aims to raise standards in the security industry. Managed by the SIA, the goal is to “raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities.” Certification Bodies such as the SSAIB will undertake the inspection activities on behalf of the SIA to ensure that companies who achieve the required standard can be registered as approved.
Is SIA accreditation important?
Getting on the SIA Approved Contractor Register isn’t an easy feat.
First, security companies have to carry out self-assessments of the necessary criteria. There are a series of 89 different measures that are assessed during the ACS accreditation process, covering everything from business strategy, corporate social responsibility, financial management and, most importantly, the delivery of high-quality service to customers and clients, so this alone is an exhaustive process.
Next, these criteria are then assessed by one of the SIA’s UKAS accredited assessing bodies. SIA-accredited companies are scored (between 1 and 174, as of January 2014) on the degree to which they exceed or fall beneath the SIA’s requirements.
In short, SIA accreditation is extremely important. Not only does it show the company’s commitment and dedication to customer service and the compulsory licensing of their staff, but it also shows the ongoing commitment to upholding this high standard over time.
Only 25% of UK security companies have achieved SIA accreditation and RGM Security is proud to be a part of this group!
Benefits of choosing an SIA ACS security company
Companies wouldn’t put themselves through such a vigorous process to get on the SIA Approved Contractor Register if it didn’t come with some benefits, especially for their clients. To show you how you would benefit from choosing a security company that is SIA ACS certified, here is a quick list of the advantages.
ONLY companies on the SIA Approved Contractor Register can offer:
1. Greater flexibility and operational effectiveness
When supplying security services, non-approved contractors can only legally deploy staff that physically hold a valid SIA licence. Approved contractors can deploy staff who have completed their training and are waiting for their SIA licence application to be processed, therefore, they can offer better continuity of service.
2. Best practice and continuity of quality
Approved contractors have had their employment practices extensively assessed in respect of quality and best practice, so you can be confident that they will maintain the highest of standards. Should the approved contractor sub-contract, you can also be assured that they will only do so with other SIA Approved Contractors, thereby maintaining the integrity of your security supply.
3. Clear customer focus
Companies who are SIA ACS accredited strive to put in place effective customer-focused procedures to overcome any issues that arise in service delivery. This leads to service customisation rather than an ‘off-the-shelf’ approach which means that clients receive a service that satisfies their precise needs and requirements.
4. Leadership and innovation
The ACS voluntary scheme is a progressive quality initiative. You can expect accredited providers to be highly responsive to change and swift to adopt new methods and best practices, both of which are essential to sustainable growth.
5. High standards
As approved contractors are required to conform to the standards put forward by industry experts at the British Standards Institution, you can be sure that these companies continuously operate to the highest degree relevant to the security sector.
Choose the right security company (or switch to one now!)
If you’re considering switching security companies, it’s important to know that you’re getting a quality service so check if they are on the SIA Approved Contractor Register! Only when they have the accreditation can you feel confident that your business is in safe hands.
In an industry that’s all about trust, checking the accreditation of prospective security services should be one of the first things to consider when choosing a security company that is right for you.
___________________________
What we can do for you:
RGM Security offers a wide range of security services including a free consultation where we carry out a weakness assessment of your site. If you need threat awareness training for your staff, intrusion testing to check your defences or even just advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
01792 293 249
info@rgmsecurity.co.uk
