SSAIB News

Tony Porter, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC), has launched his online toolbox – a collection of resources to help organisations comply with the surveillance camera code of practice and follow good practice and legal requirements.

The toolbox comprises 4 tools:

The buyers’ toolkit, developed in conjunction with the British Security Industry Association and Alastair Thomas of Alasthom.com, is for small and medium enterprises that are thinking about using surveillance cameras, yet as non-experts want to identify the best solution before they proceed and invest their time and money in a system. Following the guidance in the buyers’ toolkit will help people make informed decisions about whether surveillance can be justified as a solution to their problems. If surveillance cameras are necessary, then the toolkit is full of advice and tips on how to get the best out of your prospective suppliers.

The passport to compliance is aimed at large public-space surveillance camera systems, such as town centre schemes operated by local authorities. It will take you through the necessary stages when planning, implementing and operating a surveillance camera system to ensure it complies with the surveillance camera code of practice. It should be completed for new systems, for upgrades of systems if it significantly alters or enhances the views obtained, when additional cameras are added to a system and/or when existing systems are extended.

The self-assessment tool will help you and your organisation identify if you’re complying with the principles in the surveillance camera code of practice. The four self assessment tools which were previously available – for ANPR, CCTV, body worn video and drones – have now been condensed into one tool.

The surveillance camera specific data protection impact assessment (DPIA) template with associated guidance notes has been developed in partnership with the Information Commissioner’s Office and replaces the Privacy Impact Assessment advice which was previously available on the SCC website. It reflects updated data protection requirements set out in the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Speaking to the official Government website, Tony Porter said: "I have a statutory remit to encourage compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice and to provide advice about it. To do this, I have worked with a range of organisations to develop various guidance notes, tools and templates which are now available on my website.

"These tools will help your organisation comply with the code and its 12 guiding principles, which - if followed - will ensure that surveillance camera systems are only operated proportionately, transparently and effectively.

"I am grateful to Alastair Thomas, BSIA and the ICO for all their efforts in developing this toolbox."

John Bonney has joined SSAIB as an assessor for manned services  – after new scheme manager Dougie Callander moved quickly to strengthen his auditing team.

He arrives within the company having worked within the public sector for the past 20 years. The 39-year-old brings with him an extensive knowledge of the security industry regarding manned guarding, key holding and alarm response, alarm receiving centre software and remote black screen CCTV monitoring – after holding the positions of control room manager, assistant contracts manager and operations co-ordinator during his career so far.

John - who is NEBOSH-qualified and is a technical member of IOSH - has also worked within the private security industry and has experience of CCTV and intruder alarm systems.

And SSAIB's newest auditor couldn't contain his delight at joining the leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection and alarm systems and manned services.

John revealed: “Having met the SSAIB through my previous employment, I was quick to apply for the vacant position of manned services assessor when it  became available and I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges that this new chapter in my working career will provide and I feel that I can bring an additional range of skills to the already dynamic team that Dougie has at his disposal.”

Tavcom Training have partnered with Banham Academy to provide a professional training pathway for apprentices on the new trailblazer scheme.

The trailblazer apprenticeship standard for the fire, security and emergency systems industry is approved by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Now, Banham Academy and Tavcom Training are going further with the inclusion of professional qualifications that will benefit apprentices and the wider security industry.

The BTEC Level 3 courses developed by Tavcom Training delivers comprehensive security training during the three-year apprenticeship, through a combination of online and classroom teaching, practical exercises, assessments and exams.

Paul Tennent CTSP, executive director at Tavcom Training, stated: “Working in partnership with Banham Academy, we are ensuring apprentices gain an essential understanding of theory combined with practical industry experience to kick-start their careers. Meanwhile, the security industry benefits from a steady stream of fully trained and qualified engineers at the end of the process.”

The first cohort of Banham Academy trailblazer apprentices has already embarked on the BTEC Level 3 training pathway.

Kevin Faulkner, Banham Academy Operations Director, explained: "We are delighted to be working alongside Tavcom Training to ensure quality materials and practices are available to support the delivery of our apprenticeships.

“Achieving the Tavcom qualifications is a great way to measure the progress of our learners and the accreditation provided motivates them on the pathway to completing their apprenticeship."

Paul Tennent added: “We are proud to be supporting young engineers and helping to bring new, fully-qualified talent to the sector. We also believe it’s vital that, ultimately, all trailblazer participants have a level playing field to compete on.

“Our aim is to raise standards in general across the scheme.”

To find out more about the Banham Academy trailblazer apprenticeship scheme, visit www.banham.co.uk/banham-group-trailblazer-apprenticeship/. Alternatively, for further details on Tavcom Training - and their range of courses - visit www.tavcom.com, telephone +44 (0)1489 895 099 or email [email protected].

SSAIB have named Dougie Callander as the new scheme manager for manned services – after predecessor David Taylor made the decision to step down from the role over the summer.

After training as a sheriff officer - before working in a joint Police/council team tackling antisocial behaviour utilising surveillance techniques - the 37-year-old has spent the last 10 years working as a regional investigator for the Security Industry Authority (SIA), where he also completed a seven-month stint acting as regional investigation manager for their compliance and investigation department during 2012/13.

While working for the security regulation organisation, the new Scotland-based scheme manager also played an integral part in a multi-agency team coordinating the regulation and quality assurance at high profile events such as: the London 2012 Olympic Games, the G8 summits in Northern Ireland (2013) and Cardiff (2014), the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Ryder Cup tournament.

And, after building up a wealth of experience in his previous employment at the SIA, Dougie revealed that he is looking to use what he has learnt so far to “bring a new dynamic to SSAIB.”

“While working for the SIA - and within the security industry - over the last 10 years, I have been aware of the excellent reputation the SSAIB have within the industry and the work they have done to help raise the performance standards within the Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS).

“Most importantly, I also know of the part they have played in safeguarding the integrity of the ACS scheme - by ensuring all assessments are fair, proportionate and transparent – and, for me, it is essential that the SSAIB continue to perform to the high standards they have already set.

“I like to think I am a champion of change and I always promote best practice. Therefore, I believe that my unique and diverse background – as well as my knowledge of the SIA and ACS - will bring a new dynamic to SSAIB and I’ll be able to offer fresh ideas on ensuring that we continue performing to a consistently high standard.”

Departing scheme manager David – who joined SSAIB back in June 2014 - will continue on as a part-time manned services assessor for the time being, but we would like to thank him for all of his hard work during his time as manned services scheme manager.

After enjoying a hugely successful IFSEC 2018 thanks to their exclusive Ice Bar, SSAIB will hope to carry on that momentum when they attend no less than four exhibitions over the next two months.

First up for the leading certification body for the security and fire industries is the Security Twenty 18 show at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin on September 5, before they make the trip up to Scotland a week later – for the Fire Safety Scotland event, taking place at the SEC in Glasgow on September 12-13.

Representatives for the organisation will then be at Consec 2018 at London Heathrow Marriott Hotel on Thursday October 4, before a hectic few weeks are brought to a close with a second Fire Safety event – as SSAIB travel to EventCity in Manchester for Fire Safety North, taking place between October 9-10.

Despite having a busy few weeks planned for SSAIB, PR and communications executive Glen Maxwell revealed that he is looking forward to getting back out on the road after a “fantastic” IFSEC for the Ice Bar sponsors.

Glen – who will be at Security Twenty 18 Dublin and both the Fire Safety events - revealed: “IFSEC was a fantastic success for us. We weren’t sure how well the Ice Bar idea would work out for us beforehand, but we all worked non-stop for each of the three days and the feedback we’ve had since has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“The number of enquiries we had was very encouraging as well, so we’ve been hard at work in the weeks/months that followed sorting them out. We’ve had more than enough time to recover from what was an amazing IFSEC show for us now though, so we’re eager to turn our attention to the four upcoming events over the next few weeks.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to replicate the success we enjoyed earlier in the summer and speak to even more people looking for SSAIB certification in Dublin, Glasgow, London and Manchester, so please come and see us.”