Secure your business premises

Keeping your business premises secure protects your staff, customers, and assets. Some security measures have legal requirements you must follow.

CCTV and surveillance

If you use CCTV that captures images of people, you must comply with data protection law.

Data protection fee

Most organisations operating CCTV must pay an annual data protection fee to the Information Commission (formerly the ICO).

Security staff licensing

If you employ security guards or door staff, they may need an SIA licence.

If security staff are not licensed

Doing licensable security work without an SIA licence is a criminal offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, section 3. Who is liable depends on how the security is provided:

• Security contractors - a business that supplies security services to others using an unlicensed operative commits an offence under section 5. It is triable either way, with up to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine on indictment. It is a defence to show the contractor had no reasonable grounds to suspect the operative was unlicensed, or took all reasonable steps to prevent it.
• Operatives and their managers - an individual who does licensable work, or manages or supervises people who do, without a licence commits the section 3 offence. It is tried in the magistrates' court, with up to 6 months in prison and a fine (unlimited in England and Wales; up to £5,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
• Your own staff - in-house guards do not usually need a licence. The exception is door supervision at licensed premises (and vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland): in-house door supervisors need a front line licence, and the people who manage or supervise them, and the directors of the business, need a licence too.

Buying security from a contractor does not make you liable under section 5, which applies to the supplier. Check each operative's licence.

Physical security measures

Consider implementing:

• Access control - Key cards, fobs, or biometric systems for restricted areas
• Alarm systems - Intruder alarms with monitoring service
• Lighting - Adequate external lighting to deter intruders
• Locks - BS3621 locks on external doors for insurance compliance
• Safes - For cash, keys, and valuable items

Check your insurance policy for specific security requirements you must meet.