The Security Institute and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding, which will see both organisations promote and strengthen each other’s efforts to support security professionals and raise standards across the security sector.
Both organisations are strong voices representing professional security in the UK, and under this new agreement the organisations will support each other’s events and wider work within the security sector.
The BSIA is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK, representing a wide range of companies operating in the security industry. Its members are responsible for more than 70% of privately provided UK security products and services (by turnover). This includes the manufacturing, distribution and installation of electronic and physical security equipment and the provision of security guarding and consultancy services.
In turn, the Security Institute is the UK’s largest membership organisation for security professionals with over 4,100 individual members. The Institute’s members represent the wide breadth of the security sector, with members from across the industry and over 30 Government Departments. Since 2000, the Institute has been working to promote the highest possible standards of integrity and professional competence across security as well as the continued professional development of its members.
This new formalised relationship continues a long history of collaboration between the Institute and the BSIA. Most recently in 2020, the two organisations joined forces along with the Security Commonwealth to launch the ‘Hidden Workforce – Perceptions’ campaign. This awareness campaign highlighted the essential role that Security Officers play in public life, especially since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Security Institute’s Chief Executive Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI, said: “This new memorandum of understanding between the Security Institute and BSIA is a fantastic development, the benefits of which will be felt across the security community. There is so much to be gained from working more closely together, as two established organisations seeking to support security professionals and raise standards in the security sector. The ‘Hidden Workforce – Perceptions’ campaign is already a shining example of what can be achieved when we collaborate, and I am sure this is just the start of things to come.”
Mike Reddington, CEO at BSIA, added: “The value of work undertaken by those operating in the private security industry often goes unnoticed. BSIA’s proactive collaboration with the Security Institute formalised with this MOU will help reinforce our collective commitment in raising awareness of the immense contribution our industry makes in keeping people, places and property safe. There are so many great opportunities being developed to drive our industry forward through development of standards. This collaborative approach of the BSIA and Syl working in partnership will enable us to further develop, promote and support this work at an accelerated pace.”
