PSI June2017

INDUSTRY NEWS
In brief
INDUSTRY NEWS
After just ten months of
building the business and
an ARC from scratch, remote
monitoring company
Professional Surveillance
Management (PSM) has
achieved NSI ARC Gold
Accreditation; Monitoring of
CCTV Systems, Fire and
Intruder Alarms.
GJD has announced a new
service deal with VMS, a
provider of installation and
maintenance services within
the audio visual, networking
and security markets. The
deal aims to strengthen
GJD’s customer relations
and levels of field support.
FIA to offer new fire detection
and alarm qualifications
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) will be
offering four new qualifications for the fire
detection and alarm sector, available to book
from early July. The four new qualifications are
designed to reflect the four main job roles of the
sector – Designer, Installer, Maintainer, and
Commissioner – with one qualification for each.
The new qualifications have been designed
to give those working in the industry (or those
just joining or wishing to join) a professional indepth
knowledge of their specialist field, and
are a Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications
Framework (RQF), equivalent to an A-Level or
NVQ Level 3. In addition, the new qualifications
are equivalent to a Level 4 on the European
Qualifications Framework – one level higher
than that specified in the newly released
Standard, EN 16763 – the services standard that
specifies the minimum level of education for
those working in the fire and security services
sectors.
Each qualification pathway begins with a
Foundation unit, which gives learners a
thorough understanding of the relevant
Securi-Guard ARC celebrates
20th anniversary in 2017
Securi-Guard Monitoring’s NSI Gold standard
Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) is celebrating its
20th anniversary this year. Staff marked the
SSAIB makes cyber commitment
SSAIB has met the
Governmentendorsed
Cyber
Essentials Plus
standard. The
industrysupported
scheme
helps prevent the
vast majority of
cyberattacks and
sets out a range of security controls to help
protect an organisation against cyber threats
to its IT systems and software.
The scheme comprises two levels: level
one, Cyber Essentials, requires a completed
self-assessment questionnaire, with
responses independently reviewed by an
external certifying body. Cyber Essentials Plus
covers the same requirements, but with tests
of an organisation’s systems being
additionally carried out by an external
certifying body using a range of tools and
techniques.
The move means SSAIB reportedly
becomes the first certification body within the
security and fire sectors to achieve Cyber
Essentials Plus accreditation.
standards, and best practice for the industry.
Upon passing this, learners can then progress
through the other units before choosing their
final unit from a choice of four, which will
qualify them in their chosen area.
The qualifications will be available
nationwide at a range of centres in England,
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and are
approved by the relevant government bodies for
official qualifications in each country.
event in style with a special anniversary cake
made by Chloe Bickford, the grand- daughter
of Kim Precious, Managing Director.
“Technological advances have been very
swift in our industry. We have seen some
remarkable developments in monitoring
equipment and services during the lifetime of
the ARC and I am certain there will be many
more to come in the next 20 years – and
beyond,” said Kim.
National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold
CAT ll accredited, the ARC – which is based at
the company’s headquarters in Estover,
Plymouth - has come a long way since it was
first launched in January 1997. From an initial
staff of six operators, the monitoring team has
grown to more than 60 employees.
Pictured (L-R) : Mary Campbell, Adrian
Baker, Kim Precious and Frank Kerr
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