The Last Word

Across the last 12 months and more, the professional security industry has evolved immensely, from the increase in adoption of digital solutions through to the changing perceptions on the role of security officers with a large focus now on recognition. Major current affairs events have played a key role in these developments, but there’s still a good deal of work to be done.

Despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the professional security industry sector remains robust in its performance. We must always be primed and prepared, while we all look ahead to some semblance of normality in the coming months.

For security officers and other practitioners on the front line of our industry, there remains an added danger whenever a new COVID variant is uncovered. The November 2021 edition of Security Matters witnessed The Last Word focusing purely on recognition for those in this industry. Going forward, we as an industry body will once again concentrate on lobbying efforts as Government guidance and restrictions continue to change.

‘Key worker’ status

Back in March 2020, at the beginning of the first lockdown, the UK Government confirmed that security personnel clearly fell under the ‘key worker’ classification, thus ensuring the continuation of critical security services in keeping organisations’ people, property and places safe.

This affirmation embedded security personnel further into the public’s consciousness and was the driving force behind the creation of the ‘Hidden Workforce – Perceptions’ campaign, which is now being promoted by The Security Commonwealth of which the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is a key player and driving force.

As each lockdown and the resulting restrictions arose, so did the need to re-clarify due to so many operational sectors being eligible for ‘key worker’ status. Interchanging vocabulary was being used by those creating new Government guidance and legislation. Fast forward to 2022 and it’s absolutely vital we ensure that this hard-fought status is protected. We’re seeking clarity on the recent updates.

The words ‘critical’, ‘essential’ and ‘key’ are often used interchangeably in official statements, documentation and press coverage. We’re asking the Government to confirm if there’s any differentiation here and, if not, which term should be used.

Following on from this process, it’s then vitally important to actively request any updates to the criteria for a ‘critical worker’ should there be subsequent changes from the initial list published just shy of two years ago.

We’ve also asked the Government if the security sector’s ‘critical worker’ status affords any prioritisation in accessing PCR/lateral flow tests, vaccinations or booster injections. This is something that would greatly benefit all those personnel on the front line and facing the public on a daily basis.

Indeed, it’s with this very point in mind that the BSIA has recently called on the UK Government to clarify that security personnel are permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances, and for this arrangement to also include those who’ve been contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of a case of COVID-19, or otherwise advised to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app.

Protect Duty

On another note, this year will bring the first proposed Protect Duty legislation, which was issued for public consultation between February and July 2021.

Itself a term synonymous with Martyn’s Law (named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack), the Protect Duty is a piece of legislation that seeks to embed in law the necessity for public site management to demonstrate preparedness for terrorist attacks. This will almost certainly require the completion of a security risk assessment and identifying countermeasures designed to protect against a terrorist attack, which in turn provides additional security benefits for a given location.

The expectation is that thee changes realised by the Protect Duty will be as significant as those impacting data protection in the wake of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, while some commentators have even drawn parallels with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

As stated, the major focus of the legislation is publicly accessible locations, which has the ability to include the majority of businesses as long as clients, patrons or other third parties are welcomed to site.

Given our role as a Trade Association, it’s imperative that, in 2022, we continue to do what we can to assist our members in making sure their voices are heard in relation to any concerns or changes within the industry.

We will carry on lobbying on behalf of our members wherever and whenever we can, while keeping them up-to-date on any changes that could affect their day-to-day security activities. 

Mike Reddington is CEO of the British Security Industry Association (www.bsia.co.uk)