• Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscription
  • The Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Circuit Magazine

For Security & Protection Specialists

I feel qualified to write this article as I have been involved in the commercial surveillance sector for the past 25 years, that’s what I do.

Things are things afoot in the surveillance sector in respect of qualifications, and I am hoping that the ‘powers that be’ do not let things slide down a slippery slope as they did with the Close Protection qualification when it was introduced in the UK, by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Some would argue that it is not ‘fit for purpose’, some would say that it is. Think of this; there is a big difference between being ‘highly trained’ and ‘having undergone basic training to obtain a licence’.

The SIA does not state on their website that you have to be a super highly trained bodyguard to obtain a licence, it states that you have to undergo 140 hours of training. If that is what it states on the tin, that’s what you get.

Either way, set the SIA aside as they have nothing to do with our sector (yet) but I have heard criticism on social media that some surveillance qualifications are not worth the paper they are written on, and this is true to some extent, but it’s all down to the training provider.

Let’s get something straight; if someone knocks on our door with a Level 3 Certificate in Close Protection, I automatically understand that they are not experts or highly trained. The answer is in the qualification title ‘Level 3 Certificate’. The ‘Level 3’ part tells me what level the individual has been assessed at, and the ‘Certificate’ part tells me they have had 140 hours of training, that’s it. Similarly, if someone holds a Level 3 Award in Mobile Surveillance they have attended a medium to basic course of training over a 60 hour period (Level 3 / Award), so with that in mind, I would not expect them to be an expert of super highly trained, but at least capable to a certain level. You can only do so much in that time, so the quality comes from the level of instruction provided over that training period combined with the student’s aptitude.

Not a lot of people know this, but when you undergo a CP course, the training topics, subjects and outcomes are already written out in a Specification Document. This specification is what every CP training provider has to work to, as a ‘minimum’ requirement within 140 hours of guided learning hours. The course is listed on what is called the Regulated National Qualifications & Credit Framework (NCF) – It is a national qualification, setting out minimum standards written by a bunch of blokes back in 2001 or so. Individual CP Training companies then deliver the course covering all of the learning outcomes from the specification. The course is made ‘good’ or ‘bad’ by the level of instruction, experience, facilities, exercises and guided learning hours, etc.

Within Surveillance it is much different but soon to be changed.

Today, there are a number of companies offering ‘accredited’ surveillance training courses, but NONE of these courses are the same product, they are all different. Any training provider that offers these ‘qualifications’ in surveillance is offering their ‘OWN’ product in what is classed as a ‘Customised’ qualification that has been endorsed by an accrediting body such as the likes of Pearson / Edexcel, Highfield, Industry Qualifications, NCFE or City & Guilds.

For example, The ISS Level 4 Award in Surveillance is classed as a ‘Customised Award’. It is a qualification that ISS designed; set the content, the learning outcomes and the strictness of the assessment test.

Now then, another surveillance training provider may also offer a similar sounding qualification, but their course will also be a ‘Customised Award’, and it would have been designed by them to cover what they feel is right and to their own standards. Therefore, no two surveillance qualifications are the same if they are from different training providers. You would expect them to be, but this is far from the truth. ‘Super Spook Surveillance Ltd’ can push out a Level 3 or 4 Award/Certificate but it could be all classroom theory based with minimal vehicle work, without fully covert comms’ or structured assessments and so on.

A disgrace maybe, but training providers can do what they want so long as they ‘map’ it out and have it accredited as their work. I attended a meeting recently where a rep’ from another major surveillance company admitted that they had not failed a student in the past 11 years, they issue everyone with a ‘pass’. I felt sorry for those who had paid money to this company to be given a worthless piece of paper in return.

So what of the future?

For those familiar with the MOD, ELCAS Scheme, military personnel, in the UK, are given an allowance to pay for civilian training. ELCAS state that the course attended has to be at Level 3 (or above) and on the regulated NCF (as mentioned above). A few months ago, the MOD stopped allowing service men and women to attend surveillance courses as the qualifications were not listed on the NCF. A very short-sighted and poor decision as far as the MOD are concerned – in one swoop, they disadvantaged many service leavers of a choice.

As a consequence, the accrediting bodies are now devising a ‘general’ qualification in surveillance that will be put up on the regulated NCF as a national qualification, just like the one in Close Protection. The course is currently being designed, and a number of people are involved in its implementation. I just hope that the final course structure, content and assessments do it justice, unlike the controversial CP course.

Free For All?

When this course is up on the NCF, anyone running a security company or training company (or wanting to start one up) will be able to offer surveillance training qualifications. The accrediting bodies will set a criterion to deliver it (demonstrate instructor competency & experience etc), but I can see them being flannelled by those who have minimum experience claiming to be experts and qualified trainers to offer the course. The accrediting bodies, after all, make their money from issuing certificates and so ‘volume’ may be high on the agenda and something to keep an eye on.

I might be somewhat cynical, but I remember life before regulation. Three or four CP training companies were offering 4-week CPO courses at the time, and it was good training. Then comes the SIA, who develop a 140-hour NQF course and throw it open to the world to deliver. There are now 96 companies listed on the SIA website offering the ‘off the shelf’ CP qualification.

I am sure it will go the same way with surveillance training when the qualification is put up on the NCF. Every man and his dog will be offering it, and shortcuts will be taken to be competitive. The companies at the top of the tree have a head start as reputation speaks a lot. However, to compete, the others will have to cut their price to a bare minimum and will result in them using minimum staff, inferior equipment, less time in vehicles etc. and generally turn out poorly ‘trained’ students.

There is a big difference in being ‘surveillance trained’ and having ‘attended a training course’, so be careful who you part your hard earned cash with. It will be interesting to see how many companies spring up by this time next year.

 


The Changing Face of Surveillance Training Qualifications?
By Peter Jenkins – ISS Training Ltd

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Buy The Latest Issue

Sign Up For News and Updates

We respect your privacy and will not share your information with anyone.
We will only message you when we have something relevant and of value to share with you.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Latest Issue

Circuit Magazine - Issue 66 - AI Armageddon

Issue 66

Buy Now

Latest Newsletter

Newsletter Sign Up

What you don't know CAN hurt you!

SUBSCRIBE

Latest Industry News

Ugandan Minister Killed by Bodyguard in Apparent Wage Dispute

A Ugandan government minister, Charles Engola, was shot and killed by his bodyguard early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute over wages, according to the army and local media. Engola, a retired army colonel, served as the junior minister in charge of labor in President Yoweri Museveni’s government.

Event

News - Circuit Magazine

Zelenskiy Denies Ukraine’s Involvement in Alleged Kremlin Drone Attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has refuted Russia’s claims that Ukraine was involved in a drone attack on the Kremlin, which was allegedly aimed at killing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine fights and defends its territory, not attacking Putin or Moscow. The Kremlin reported that two drones were used in the attack but were disabled by Russian defenses.

News taken from Issue 65 of the Circuit Magazine

Bodyguard Saves Japanese PM from Pipe Bomb Attack

A bodyguard has been hailed as a hero for his quick-thinking actions during a suspected pipe-bomb attack on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Video footage captured the bodyguard kicking away a metal object as it landed near Kishida
before positioning himself between the Prime Minister and the device, shielding him with a collapsible, handheld ballistics shield.

News from Issue 65 of the Circuit Magazine

AlertEnterprise Reveals First-Ever Guardian AI Chatbot Powered by OpenAI ChatGPT

AlertEnterprise has unveiled its first-ever Guardian AI Chatbot powered by OpenAI ChatGPT. The chatbot will make its global debut at the ASIS Europe and ISC West trade events. Built on OpenAI’s GPT-3 platform, the Guardian AI Chatbot aims to provide security operators with instant access to critical physical access and security insights through quick questions and prompts.

Executive Protection/Secured Transportation Profession

COVID-19 and the Executive Protection

As practitioners, our responsibilities are many: protection of the client from physical harm, protection of the client from self-embarrassment, etc. Now, that the restrictions in the post COVID-19 era are starting to be lifted in some areas, Clients, and other high-net-worth individuals will be more aware of the area in which they are located, lodging, and traveling to.

James Bore's Cyber Security

Ways to See the Threat Before it Happens

Threat modelling is widely in use, whether knowingly or not, across every walk of life – and has been used since time immemorial to prioritise security defences. The only difference between the well-known risk assessments carried out by everyone and threat modelling in cyber security is the attempt to document and systemise it. I am hoping that this idea of formal threat modelling will be a useful tool for you to use in your future arsenal of available resources as a CP operator.

Close Protection advice

Keeping Your Edge: Building a Solid Foundation

Longevity, consistency and remaining relevant are some primary goals of all protectors. These factors are important when establishing a new contract and providing services for a new client. But what is equally important is the mindset that goes into those first days and weeks on the assignment. As such, I wanted to get the personal perspective of Vantrell Wilson, a close protection agent who I have trained with and worked alongside of for years now.

Global Risk Updates

Global Situation Report - November 2021

Global Situation Report – November 2021

Each issue our global geopolitical partner, Stratfor, provides an in-depth analysis of global incidents via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and through a comprehensive globally sourced network. Here is your summary from the last 30 days.

Popular Tags

armed attack Bodyguard business Celebrity client clients Close Protection Communication cp Crime Elijah Shaw EP Executive Executive Protection firearm firearms government gun Intelligence Law Enforcement Media Medical military News online police Prevention professional protect protection Risk Safety Security SIA Social Media Surveillance Technology terror Terrorism terrorist Threat Training VIP weapon

On The Frontline

The Impact of Street Crime on the Security Professional

Did you know: Historically, street crime increases, proportionately, with population growth? Crime in England is accelerating, and according to police figures, the London murder rate has now surpassed that of New York for the first time in modern history. Not only does this place the general public at risk but arguably, it exposes the front-line security operator to even greater danger.

Executive Protection in Russia

Risk and Retaliation at the World Cup and Beyond. On 3/26/2018, the United States joined 20 nations including the UK, Canada, and Italy in what is said to be the largest coordinated expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.

Over 100 Russian diplomats were told to leave their foreign postings in response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy living in the UK. Russia promised to retaliate against this “provocative gesture”.

How Much Do Security Companies Make?

People who have never been a business owner might wonder ‘how much do security companies make?’ Is it a profitable industry and where is the money made? As the owner of a security company I believe, as many do, that transparency is paramount to running a reputable business. This article specifically looks at the door and event security side of the market as well as factoring in low-level security guardin

Follow us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

From The Archives

Global Risk RoundUp – Feb 2020

Our Global Risk partners, Drum Cussac, provide in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house …

Continue Reading about Global Risk RoundUp – Feb 2020

Global Incidents – 08-Apr-13

Global Incidents - 08-Apr-13 Critical Information Iran: Earthquake near Bushehr nuclear power …

Continue Reading about Global Incidents – 08-Apr-13

Why A Political Soloution With The Afghan Taliban Is So Important

We've all seen over the last few years just how quickly ISIL established themselves in a fractured …

Continue Reading about Why A Political Soloution With The Afghan Taliban Is So Important

Be the Change You Want to See

  It is harder now than it has been at any point over the past 15 years for prospective …

Continue Reading about Be the Change You Want to See

Promoted Event

International Security Expo

Latest Podcast Episode

Latest Issue

Circuit Magazine - Issue 66 - AI Armageddon

Issue 66

As AI armageddon comes closer, the global challenge is discerning the line between innovation and oversight, particularly concerning decision-making biases and security implications.

Buy Now

Follow us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Subscription
  • The Magazine
  • Podcast
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Circuit Magazine · Rainmaker Platform

This website or its third-party tools use cookies which are necessary to its functioning and required to improve your experience. By clicking the consent button, you agree to allow the site to use, collect and/or store cookies.
I accept