Life begins again at 40

January 2007 marks a major milestone for the private security industry, for self-regulation and the development of sector standards. The New Year sees the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) celebrate 40 years of service (an achievement that will be honoured in a special Anniversary Brochure produced by Security Management Today in conjunction with BSIA chief executive David Dickinson and the team at Security House).

The old saying suggests that ‘Life Begins at 40’, but will this anniversary prove to be a pivotal moment for the Association and how it interacts with its vast audience?

Many industry practitioners will be aware that a number of the quality and standards-setting organisations we know today originated from the BSIA. The National Security Inspectorate, for example created by the merger of the ISI and NACOSS found its roots in the Association. More recently, of course, the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO) has broken away from its parent to form the nucleus of Skills for Security, the new training and skills body for security professionals.

Let’s not forget, either, that the BSIA lobbied for 15 years – through previous chief executive David Fletcher and current leader Dickinson for the legislation that led to the formation of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

However, in what is something of a bizarre twist, the birth of the Regulator and, in particular, the launch of its Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) – has created an environment wherein some players have begun to question the relevance of (and necessity for) a Trade Association with Government regulation spreading its tentacles far and wide. “If we only need ACS status to obtain work, why should we continue to pay fees to the BSIA?”...

Membership as differentiator

Not surprisingly, the response from David Dickinson to such a question is swift, honest and to the point. “It’s absolutely true that, in the past, companies have joined the BSIA because they rightly believed this would be a differentiator,” he retorts. “Until the SIA was born we acted as the industry’s voluntary regulator. It would be more than premature, though, for guarding companies to make the classic mistake of assuming that ACS status affords them anything other than a benchmark, and a standard to which they must work at all times.”

Dickinson continues: “The ACS does not offer guarding contractors representation. Neither does it give them an opportunity to influence matters like emerging British Standards. Nor does it afford them access to any influencers who are seeking information, to change the law or help determine the form of similar legislation that might impact upon the industry. Only a Trade Association can do that. In the future, I believe the representational services we provide, allied to the strength and regularity of our networking within Government, will be even more at the forefront of what we do, and of great importance.”

The path towards regulation and the ACS has meant huge upheaval. It has been a time when Members’ interests have demanded nothing less than cohesive representation. “We have enjoyed a very successful relationship with the SIA, based on ourselves acting as a not uncritical friend,” explains Dickinson. “Where we feel a situation is arising, or indeed has arisen, we’ll say so. For instance, I believe the Regulator is dragging its heels on the in-house question. We understand full well that the SIA has an explanation for this, and I know that they accept the intellectual argument for regulating in-house teams. However, the reality is that if, for whatever reason, the Regulator cannot push this issue with Government then someone has to. And that someone is the BSIA. Rest assured we will do so.”

Strong, coherent message

Casting his mind back ten years, Dickinson recalls an era when he was working for a Member Company of the BSIA – one half of which is now G4S Security Services (UK), in fact. Then, he also served as chairman of the Association’s Marketing Committee.

“I remember writing a paper outlining the role of the BSIA post-regulation, and post-ISO 9000,” he explains. “At the time, there was a feeling that ISO 9000 was all any company required to do business. That was never going to be the case. What has been proven over the last four years, I think, and arguably more than anything, is that if there is a strong, coherent message and a powerful voice representing an industry sector then a great deal can be achieved that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.”

By way of example, strong BSIA lobbying through and in unison with COESS on the EU Services Directive resulted in the UK being exempted from laws that Dickinson suggests would have resulted in “total disaster” for UK security companies and their clients. “There absolutely needs to be a recognised voice,” adds Dickinson, who alludes to the possibility that ACS status may eventually serve as the benchmark for guarding contractors who wish to become a Member Company of the BSIA.

Dickinson carries on that theme. “There is already a fulsome debate on this matter. We always strive to keep our own standards high, but let me stress again that the ACS will never be an alternative to joining the Association or continuing Member Company status.” Ultimately, given the penchant for any Government but in particular the present regime to react with knee-jerk responses as soon as there’s some kind of problem, it’s hugely important for a powerful voice to exist.

“One that Parliament can trust to speak out when matters do go awry and then, more importantly, help steer ministers towards the right course of action,” says Dickinson.

Creating the right environment

“I can well remember saying when I began my tenure as the BSIA’s chief executive in April 2002 that my job was predicated on creating a business environment wherein Association Members can flourish. That perspective hasn’t changed, and what’s more it isn’t going to change. After all, this is the remit of any responsible Trade Association.”

Dickinson stresses that, while security guarding is of great importance, it’s not the only part of the industry. Indeed, it is one of 14 dedicated BSIA Sections.

“Our Members in the other 13 Sections have to face a myriad of different problems. We need to work on their behalf every bit as much as we have to go into bat for the guarding firms.” This is clearly illustrated by the output from the BSIA in terms of Codes of Practice, technical/end user guides and communications campaigns covering a wide range of sectors.

The electronics side of the industry has been facing up to an equally challenging period, with the new European intruder alarm standards and a raft of environmental legislation appearing in quick succession. Headed up by the BSIA’s technical director Alex Carmichael, the work necessarily put in to guide Members has been considerable.

A further example cited by Dickinson is the Association’s ongoing campaign to reduce Cash-in-Transit crime. “We have been hugely successful in both raising the profile of the problem of increased attacks on crews, and in urging the Government to do something about it. There have been adjournment debates on this subject in the House of Commons, and praise from ministers for our efforts.

“We now have access to those ministers. The Government and the Regulator just don’t have the time to interview separate service providers. There needs to be a collective view put forward. It is, after all, a democracy.”

From hereon in, David Dickinson is adamant that the BSIA is going to cement its place as the natural home for security professionals who want to improve their industry, and who wish to ensure that the marketplace fully understands what they are capable of doing.

In Dickinson’s view, clients and contractors must focus on contingency planning. “In today’s world it’s no longer about someone pulling a piece of paper out of the drawer and saying: ‘If this is what happens, this is what we do.’ It’s about having trained and reliable operatives in situ, ready and waiting to do their duty. In co-operation with the BSIA’s Member Companies, clients can achieve that scenario, but not if they try to do so at the lowest possible cost.

“We have to ask ourselves the fundamental question... ‘If security is seen as a low cost solution, is there any real value attached to it in peoples’ minds?’ We know that we want to prevent innocent members of society being killed. Of course we do. Therefore, part of that prevention lies in ensuring that the right people are in place to assist in times of need.”

Guarding: a professional service

Dickinson feels there has to be a will to believe that contract guarding post-ACS is a really professional service. “Alas, the industry doesn’t do itself any favours by responding to client questions concerning Terms and Conditions by talking solely about price. What we should be doing is championing the sheer value of a security officer, and raising their profile in the minds of the public and buyers of security services. We ought to be doing the same for other security solutions, of course, but in many ways it’s easier to demonstrate the value of security systems because you can do a straightforward cost-benefit analysis.”

Surely that’s not an easy calculation when applied to security officers? “No. Far from it, in fact. How do you carry out a cost-benefit analysis on a security officer who is at your premises when you’re not there and, for 90% of the time, is just keeping an eye out before that one terrible moment when he or she has to take action that could save the business? That’s the real value of the trained professional.”

Modern identity, modern BSIA

Part of the Association looking to the future necessitates the portrayal of a modern image incorporating its key values. “Our new corporate identity, which we launched at the Annual Luncheon in July, has been designed with this in mind,” Dickinson confirms.

The former ‘eye’ logo has now been adapted to include the concept of a human eye as well as a camera lens or torch, representing a range of industry sectors. In addition, the orange hue has been introduced as a more vibrant and lively colour, designed to reflect the energy invested by the BSIA in the security industry on behalf of its Members.

In a bid to find out just how hard the Association works and how much it achieves, last June SMT attended one of the regular Staff Meetings at Security House. Chaired by David Dickinson, these gatherings involve the 20 members of staff based in Worcester and cover Membership Services issues, technical support, public relations, accounts, administration tasks and events.

What was discussed? At the Euralarm General Assembly, the Association called for better use of Assembly finances and recommended that pan-European organisations such as Euralarm could consider working with the likes of COESS to share administration costs. This was firmly on the meeting’s agenda.

The BSIA’s aforementioned single point of contact for sharing information and intelligence on Cash-in-Transit attacks – dubbed SaferCash – has now handled over 400 suspicious incidents since its formation. A report on progress to date concerning the associated campaign ‘Combating Cash Delivery Crime’ was delivered.

Supported by the GMB Trade Union, the campaign has already included an Early Day Motion in the House (and gained over 100 signatures from supportive MPs), engendered an Adjournment Debate in the Commons and a series of meetings with ministers, the British Bankers’ Association and the Building Societies’ Association.

On top of that, the BSIA’s Press and Communications Office has had to handle a huge amount of media interest in this area, with no less than 130 print media items published and 28 broadcast media interviews having already taken place.

Also discussed were a number of Codes of Practice currently in production, with subjects including digital video evidence, privacy masking and Chip and PIN in relation to CCTV monitoring. The latest interpretation documents concerning the new European intruder alarm standards series EN 50131-1 were also being drafted, while the BSIA’s Code of Practice on the Secure Destruction of Confidential Information has been successfully developed into British Standard 8470 (and could now progress to become a ratified European Standard).

Then there is the not-insignificant matter of the BSIA’s work on export issues, which has continued unabated despite severe restrictions in Government funding. At IFSEC 2006, the Association hosted 60 international buyers from nine different countries and arranged over 500 meetings for UK companies with potential overseas clients. A joint ‘tabletop’ event in Romania involving the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers had also been arranged.

At the time of this Staff Meeting, discussions were ongoing with International Business (Wales) in respect of future funding.

Direction from the top

David Dickinson’s own workload is extremely challenging. Take the month of May, for example. There is the annual Camberford Law sponsorship of the BSIA’s Security Officer Awards to be organised. At IFSEC, there’s a presentation to be made at the Security Industry Awards, discussions to host on export funding and Euralarm meetings at which involvement is crucial.

On top of that there are regular meetings with the SIA, senior management conferences (organised by the likes of Reliance Security Services) to attend, the ASIS International UK Chapter 208 Annual Dinner and meetings/away days concerning Cash-in-Transit issues. And that little lot barely scratches the surface.

Technical director Alex Carmichael’s portfolio is similarly demanding. There will be trips to mainland Europe for TC/79 Working Group 1 (EN 50131-1) and TC/79 Committee Meetings. As the leader of the UK delegation to the TC/79 CENELEC Electronic Security Standards Committee, Carmichael is there to put forward the UK industry’s view on matters. There are meetings with the Scottish Business Crime Centre on closer working relations with the BSIA concerning common subjects dealing with Scottish retail crime.

Carmichael produces regular reports on TC/79 and Briefing Notes on the WEEE and RoHS Directives for manufacturers. He also has constant dialogue with ACPO and ACPOS relating to European Standards interpretation.

Readers of SMT will surely conclude that this overview illustrates a busy and vibrant Trade Association playing a vital role in the security sector, underpinning the well-being and success of not just its Members but the wider security industry as a whole. In truth, the BSIA’s existence – and role – is now more important than at any time since its launch.