Business guidance

Defence, Security & Space

Apply for an SIA licence

Step-by-step guide to applying for a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Covers which licence type you need, what documents to prepare, and how to complete the online application.

Defence, Security & Space

Become a MOD Supplier

How to register on MOD procurement portals, meet security and quality requirements, and bid for defence contracts.

Defence, Security & Space

Data protection for security CCTV and body-worn cameras

Data protection obligations for private security companies operating CCTV systems and body-worn cameras. Covers the two legal frameworks (UK GDPR and the Surveillance Camera Code), data protection impact assessments, signage, retention periods, and responding to subject access requests.

Defence, Security & Space

Defence Security Clearances

Understand SC and DV security clearance requirements for defence contractors.

Defence, Security & Space

ITAR Compliance for UK Companies

Comply with US ITAR regulations when handling US defence articles.

Defence, Security & Space

Manage security staff working time

Working time compliance for private security employers. Covers maximum weekly hours, night worker limits, rest break entitlements, opt-out agreements, and lone working risk assessments for security staff.

Defence, Security & Space

Meet your security and investigation regulatory duties

If you provide manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash-and-valuables-in-transit, CCTV operation, keyholding, alarm response, alarm or CCTV installation, or private investigation, your business carries specific licensing, certification and regulatory duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Healthcare & Social Care

NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit compliance

How to complete the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) annual self-assessment if you handle NHS patient data. Covers the two assessment tracks (CAF-aligned and standards-based), evidence gathering, submission process, and achieving Standards Met status.

Defence, Security & Space

Public administration: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your public administration body meets its workplace, equality and data-protection obligations. Work through each item and answer yes or no. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Defence, Security & Space

Register as an SIA Approved Contractor

How to apply for and maintain SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status. Covers eligibility requirements, choosing a UKAS-accredited assessment body, preparing for assessment, and maintaining your approved status.

Defence, Security & Space

Renew your SIA licence

How to renew your SIA licence before it expires, including the new mandatory refresher training requirements for door supervisors (from April 2025) and close protection operatives (from April 2026).

Defence, Security & Space

Security and investigation compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your security or investigation business — from workplace health and safety through to SIA licensing, installer certification and data protection.

Defence, Security & Space

Security staff onboarding checklist

Pre-deployment checklist for onboarding new private security employees. Covers SIA licence verification, DBS checks, right to work, site-specific induction, lone working briefing, conflict management, communication equipment, and emergency procedures.

Defence, Security & Space

Set up and run a safe public administration operation

Public administration bodies — government departments, local authorities, defence establishments and agencies carrying out compulsory social security — face office-based and field-based risks depending on function. Whether you administer benefits, manage public infrastructure or run defence logistics, the core workplace duties apply. This guide takes you through health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality (including the Public Sector Equality Duty) and data protection. Crown employers' duties under HASWA 1974 apply with full force.

Defence, Security & Space

Set up and run a safe security operation

Whatever security or investigation service you provide — manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV operation, alarm installation or private investigation — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Defence, Security & Space

Set up security staff training

How to establish and manage ongoing training for private security employees. Covers initial SIA qualifications, mandatory refresher training, first aid maintenance, conflict management CPD, lone worker training, and record-keeping obligations.

Defence, Security & Space

SIA employer compliance checklist

Compliance audit checklist for private security employers. Covers SIA licensing, refresher training, first aid, DBS checks, right to work verification, badge display, working time records, and risk assessments for lone working and violence.

Defence, Security & Space

SIA licence types and requirements

Quick reference for all SIA licence types, which security activities require a licence, and current fees.

Defence, Security & Space

SIA training qualifications reference

Quick-reference table of all SIA-approved qualifications by licence type, including core qualifications, refresher requirements, first aid prerequisites, guided learning hours, and approved awarding organisations.

Defence, Security & Space

Start a private security business

End-to-end guide to starting a private security business in the United Kingdom, covering company registration, mandatory insurance, SIA Approved Contractor Scheme registration, recruiting licensed staff, compliance systems, and industry standards including BS 7499 and BS 7858.

Defence, Security & Space

UK Export Controls for Defence Products

Navigate UK Strategic Export Control requirements for military and dual-use goods.

Transport & Logistics

UK Space Industry Licensing

Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.

Defence, Security & Space

Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry

What the Security Industry Authority does, why private security is regulated in the United Kingdom, how the licensing system works under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and what happens to businesses and individuals who operate without a licence.

Defence, Security & Space

Verify SIA licence validity for your employees

How to use the SIA licence checker to verify employee licences before deployment. Covers your legal obligations under section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and what to do if a licence is expired, suspended, or revoked.

Defence, Security & Space

Which public administration regulations apply to your organisation

Public administration bodies — government departments, local authorities, defence establishments and agencies carrying out compulsory social security — share cross-cutting workplace duties with every employer, but carry additional equality and data-protection obligations. This router points you to the spine and the compliance checklist.

Defence, Security & Space

Which security and investigation rules apply to your business

Security and investigation businesses — manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CVIT, CCTV operators, keyholding, alarm response, alarm and CCTV installers, and private investigators — share the same workplace-safety foundation, then the rules diverge by whether your activity is licensable under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 or subject to industry certification.

Tax & Finance

Check if you need to register for VAT

Find out if your business must register for VAT based on your taxable turnover. Covers the £90,000 threshold, what counts as taxable turnover, the rolling 12-month test, and when voluntary registration makes sense.

Business Structure

Mandatory registrations every business must complete

Step-by-step guide to the registrations every business must complete before trading, regardless of sector. Covers HMRC tax registration, ICO data protection fee, mandatory insurance, and pension auto-enrolment.

Premises & Operations

Meet your business waste duty of care

Understand your legal responsibilities when producing, storing, or disposing of business waste. Covers using registered waste carriers, completing waste transfer notes, and the stricter rules for hazardous waste.

Compliance & Legal

Pre-trading compliance checklist

A concise yes/no checklist to verify you have completed all mandatory pre-trading requirements, including business registration, tax, insurance, licences, premises approvals, and data protection.