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What is BS7858?
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What is BS7858?
BS7858 is a security inspection standard practised in the UK. It was initially introduced in 2012 and then improvised in 2019. It is regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). It is a compulsion for security organisations to pass their employees through this screening standard to ensure that they are the best fit for their clients’ security needs, which may include corporations, private and public businesses, retailers, construction sites, etc.
It validates an individual’s suitability for a particular security-oriented role through various pre- and post-employment checks, such as identity verification, criminal background checks, employment history, and education and qualifications.
It is, therefore, helpful in reducing the risk of hiring inappropriate and unsuitable people and the risks associated with their placement at various sensitive locations. If complied with BS7858, there are very few chances of dissatisfying your clients as it ensures that no unprofessional individual is on board.
How long does BS7858 take?
Adhering to BS7858 standards takes time, depending on a security agency’s policies and practices. Different organisations take varying amounts of time depending on their use of technology, processing time, the number of standards they are complying with, and the response of employees, including the provision of documentation, reviews of referees, etc.
It is ideal to keep in contact with the security agency that you are interested in working with, as it can answer your queries regarding time duration more accurately because it varies from organisation to organisation. However, generally, the process takes a couple of weeks to complete. The timing can be extended if individuals willing to get employed provide the required documentation and things late. It can also be shortened if there is nothing complex in a person’s verification and documentation.
What is BS7858 Security Screening?
BS7858 security screening is a standard set by SIA in the UK for the employment of individuals as security professionals. It is implemented to ensure the extraction and jobs of the most suitable and dependable people as security officers. The screening process takes the individuals through various steps to comply with BS7858, which include:
- Verify an individual’s identity to ensure it is accurate and corresponds with the information they have provided.
- Credentials and Sources Verification involves verifying the person’s credentials and examining references from prior employers or other pertinent sources.
- They are interviewing the candidates to determine whether they are qualified for the position and to address any issues that came up during the screening process.
- Check the person’s employment history to ensure they have the necessary experience and to find any discrepancies or holes in their background.
- I examined a person’s past financial transactions to find any possible problems or worries.
- They verify whether a person has a criminal history or pertinent convictions by performing criminal record checks.
BS7858 security screening is initiated to minimize problems associated with the employment of individuals in security-based roles. It is an important element of the UK security industry and should be incorporated by all private sector security organisations working in the UK.
But as vital as adhering to BS7858 is, it is also essential that agencies add their own unique flavour to all processes. This will help generate vast opportunities and options for individuals to choose from. It also encourages healthy competition and growth amongst security companies.
What is BS7858 Vetting?
Vetting means to examine an individual based on specific criteria. BS7858 vetting is examining and checking individuals based on the BS7858 standards in the UK. BS7858 vetting guarantees the on boarding of suitable and reliable candidates for security jobs as before hiring a candidate has to go through a set of steps. These include identity verification, crime history records, education and qualifications records, and security interviews, which are conducted to judge a candidate’s ability to fit in a security sector position.
These vetting processes ascertain long-term relief for companies as they only hire people who pass through the BS7858 vetting, which is a sign that they are completely trustworthy for the organisation and will not harm its operations and image. This will ultimately result in minimum losses and maximum profits for a security agency. Therefore, most security agencies tend to comply with BS7858 vetting.
After 2019, BS7858 screening and vetting procedures have become a very common practice of security organisations in the UK. Most of them compete to work under the regulations of the security industry authority (SIA) to ensure that they can operate legally in the UK’s private security sector.
BS7858 is a gateway for security companies to have a strong brand image and smooth business operations. Reliable and trustworthy employees reduce all the risks that a security company might face due to unreliable employees. It encourages safety and confidence within the workplace.
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2 thoughts on “What is BS7858?”
Great overview of BS7858 standards.
Clear and concise guidance.