What is the SIA?

SIA stands for Security Industry Authority. It is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. Its work includes licensing people who carry out certain security roles, monitoring compliance and running the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for private security businesses.

What does the SIA do?

The Security Industry Authority is a public body sponsored by the Home Office. It was established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to regulate the private security industry.

Its work is intended to protect the public and improve standards within the industry.

The SIA’s responsibilities include:

• Licensing people who carry out certain roles in the private security industry
• Setting criteria for obtaining an SIA licence
• Monitoring compliance with private security industry legislation
• Inspecting businesses and individuals
• Taking enforcement action where necessary
• Working with employers, training providers and other organisations to improve standards
• Running the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme for private security businesses

The SIA is also the regulator for Martyn’s Law under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

Why was the Security Industry Authority created?

The SIA was established following the Private Security Industry Act 2001 as part of the introduction of statutory regulation for the private security industry.

Its role is to help ensure that people working in regulated security activities meet the required standards and that the industry operates within the law.

This gives customers, businesses and the public greater assurance about the standards expected of people working within private security.

What areas of private security does the SIA regulate?

The SIA regulates a range of security activities, including:

• Security guarding
• Door supervision
• Close protection
• Cash and valuables in transit
• Public space surveillance (CCTV)
• Key holding
• Vehicle immobilisation in Northern Ireland

Whether a particular individual needs an SIA licence depends on the work they carry out and the circumstances in which they perform it.

Who needs to know about the SIA?

The SIA is relevant to both people working within private security and the businesses operating in the sector.

For individuals, this may mean understanding whether the security work they perform requires an SIA licence and the requirements they need to meet.

Private security businesses also need to understand their responsibilities when employing and deploying people carrying out regulated security activities.

The SIA additionally operates the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), a voluntary quality assurance scheme for private security businesses.

What is the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme?

The Approved Contractor Scheme is a voluntary scheme through which eligible private security businesses can demonstrate that they meet the SIA’s quality standards.

Businesses that successfully meet the requirements become SIA approved contractors and are included on the SIA’s register of approved contractors.

For businesses considering the scheme, our SIA ACS Accreditation Support page explains the eligibility requirements, ACS standard, application and assessment process and how JVR Consultancy can help.

Does your business need help with SIA ACS?

JVR Consultancy supports private security businesses seeking or maintaining SIA Approved Contractor Scheme accreditation.

If your business is considering ACS, find out more about our SIA ACS Accreditation Support, including eligibility, requirements, assessment and how JVR can help.