The Security Institute and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) have announced a new 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.
The BSIA represents a wide range of companies operating in the security industry, with members responsible for 70% of privately provided UK security products and services. The Security Institute, on the other hand, is the UK’s largest membership organisation for security professionals with over 4,100 individual members 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 agreement will reportedly allow the organisations to support each other’s events and wider work within the security sector, continuing a long history of collaboration. 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.
Speaking on the new agreement, the 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 BSIA commented: “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.”
