Security screening of individuals employed in a security environment - Code of Practice to which all of our checks adhere unless superceded by overseas policies.
This British Standard was first published in June 1996 having been prepared at the request of users and providers of security services. The standard underwent a three year revision and industry consultation that culminated in the second edition (2004) being issued in March 2004. The standard underwent a further revision during 2005 with industry consultation that culminated in the third edition (2006) being issued in August 2006. With the stringent rules, applying thereto it is considered an ideal model for use in other areas where an individual's background is of paramount importance.
The Standard is subject to copyright but the salient points are abridged as follows:
Scope
"This British Standard gives recommendations for the security screening of individuals to be employed in an environment where the security and safety of people, goods or property is a requirement of the employing organisation's operation and/or where such security screening is in the public interest."
General
"The organisation should not employ individuals whose career or history indicates that they would be unlikely to resist the opportunities for illicit personal gain, or the possibilities of being compromised or the opportunities for creating any other breach of security, which such employment might offer."
Provision of Information
“All individuals applying for relevant employment and all existing employees transferring to relevant employment from other duties should be required to sign the form declaration and to provide the following.”
- Proof of identity and address of residence
- Details of their education, employment, periods of self-employment throughout the security screening period
- The names of two individuals with personal knowledge of the individual been security screened who would act as Character Referees. The Character Referees should not be relatives through blood or marriage or reside at the same address as the individual being security screened
- Detail of all cautions or convictions for criminal offences, subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
- Details of all bankruptcy and court judgments.
Security Screening period
"Period of years immediately prior to the commencement of relevant employment or transfer to relevant employment, or back to the age of 12 it this date is more recent."
Period allowed for completion of security screening
"Security screening covering the whole of the security-screening period should be completed: for 5 years security screening, not later than 12 weeks after employment (i.e. provisional employment) has commenced or, for a longer period, not later than 16 weeks after employment (i.e. provisional employment) ha commenced.”
ISO 9001
What is ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a quality management system can effectively be implemented. European Background was granted this.
ISO 9001:2000, the requirement standard, includes the following main sections:
- Quality Management System
- Management Responsibility
- Resource Management
- Product Realization
- Measurement Analysis and Improvement
What does it mean to us?
To gain the maximum benefit from ISO 9000:2000 there are a number of steps to take:
- Define why our organization is in business.
- Determine the key processes that state 'what' we do.
- Establish how these processes work within our business.
- Determine who owns these processes.
- Agree these processes throughout the organisation.
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