Journey
Start a private security business
End-to-end learning path for starting a private security company. Covers SIA regulation, personal and business licensing, approved contractor status, insurance, recruiting licensed staff, training programme setup, and compliance systems for winning contracts.
Why private security is one of the most heavily regulated sectors
Private security is a licensable activity in the United Kingdom. The Private Security Industry Act 2001 established the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as the regulator responsible for ensuring that everyone working in manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV, and key holding is individually licensed and vetted.
This learning path takes you through the full process of setting up a security company, from understanding your regulatory obligations through to winning your first contracts.
How SIA regulation works
Understand the SIA's role, which security activities are licensable under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and the penalties for operating without a licence
Meet your security and investigation regulatory duties
An overview of the SIA licensing regime, the Approved Contractor Scheme, security-systems installer certification, and the current status of private investigator licensing — so you know which regimes apply to your activities
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Decide which licence types you need and whether to pursue ACS
The SIA issues different licence types for each security activity: manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV, and key holding. As a business owner, you need a personal licence for any frontline work, and every operative you employ must hold their own valid licence.
You should also consider registering as an SIA Approved Contractor. ACS is voluntary, but many buyers -- particularly local authorities and large corporates -- require it as a tender condition. Deciding early shapes your business plan and setup costs.
Applying for your SIA licence
Step-by-step process for obtaining a personal SIA licence, including identity checks, criminal record screening, and the required training qualifications
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Register your business and arrange insurance
Once you have decided on your service offering and licence types, you need to register your business, arrange specialist insurance, and obtain your personal SIA licence before you can trade. Security businesses require employer's liability insurance by law, but you will also need public liability and professional indemnity cover. Most clients and ACS registration require a minimum of 5 million pounds public liability.
Setting up a private security business
End-to-end business setup including company registration, insurance requirements, business planning, and financial management for security operators
Set up and run a safe security operation
The universal workplace duties every security and investigation business must meet — health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality, and data protection (a heavy obligation given CCTV, body-worn video and access logs)
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Recruit and deploy licensed security staff
Every security operative you employ must hold a valid SIA licence for the activity they perform. You are legally responsible for verifying their licence before deployment -- the SIA provides a free online licence checker. You must also conduct standard employment checks including right to work verification, and maintain records of all licence checks.
Security staff onboarding
Pre-deployment checks for security operatives including SIA licence verification, right to work, vetting, uniform and equipment standards, and site briefing requirements
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Establish your training programme
Security operatives need both initial qualifications to obtain their SIA licence and ongoing professional development. As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your staff maintain their competence. If you pursue ACS registration, you must demonstrate a structured training programme covering conflict management, physical intervention (where relevant), first aid, and site-specific procedures.
Setting up security staff training
How to build a training programme covering SIA-mandated qualifications, ongoing CPD, conflict management, and the training records needed for ACS registration
Register as an SIA Approved Contractor
ACS eligibility criteria, the assessment process, documentation you need to prepare, and how approved contractor status helps you win contracts
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Set up your compliance systems
Running a security business means ongoing compliance, not a one-off setup. SIA licences expire every 3 years, staff qualifications need tracking, insurance must be renewed, and if you hold ACS status, you face periodic reassessment. Establishing robust compliance systems from the start protects your business and your clients.
SIA compliance checklist
Ongoing compliance requirements including licence renewal tracking, staff record management, incident reporting, complaints procedures, and ACS reassessment preparation