Defence, Security & Space
Defence contractors, security services, aerospace and space technology.
Business activities
This sector covers the following areas of business activity:
Key regulators
These regulatory bodies oversee compliance in this sector:
- ECJU Administers the UK export licensing system for military and dual-use goods, software, and technology. Part of the Department for Business …
- Home Office Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for …
- SIA Regulates the private security industry in the UK. Issues licences for security guards, door supervisors, CCTV operators, close protection operatives, …
Guided journeys
Step-by-step guides for businesses in this sector:
Export controlled goods and dual-use items
Compliance-critical guidance for exporting military items, dual-use technology, or goods subject to sanctions - with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment
Start journey →Plan SIA licence renewals for your team
Operational planning path for managing team SIA licence renewals. Check expiry dates, schedule training, and submit renewals within the 16-week window to prevent gaps in cover.
Start journey →SIA licence compliance quick check
Quick compliance check for businesses employing SIA-licensed staff. Covers licence validity, licence types, refresher training, first aid, right to work, and working time.
Start journey →Respond to SIA enforcement action
What to do if your security business faces SIA enforcement action including licence revocation, compliance inspection failure, or prosecution for deploying unlicensed staff. Covers identifying the enforcement type, understanding your rights, appealing to the First-tier Tribunal, and preventing recurrence.
Start journey →Employing security staff: your compliance obligations
What pubs, clubs, retail, and events businesses need to know when employing or contracting SIA-licensed security staff — covering licence verification, working time, CCTV, and onboarding
Start 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.
Start journey →Guidance for defence, security & space
Sector-Specific
- UK Export Controls for Defence Products — Navigate UK Strategic Export Control requirements for military and dual-use goods.
- Defence Security Clearances — Understand SC and DV security clearance requirements for defence contractors.
- Become a MOD Supplier — How to register on MOD procurement portals, meet security and quality requirements, and bid for …
- ITAR Compliance for UK Companies — Comply with US ITAR regulations when handling US defence articles.
- UK Space Industry Licensing — Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.
- Understanding SIA regulation of the private security industry — What the Security Industry Authority does, why private security is regulated in the United Kingdom, …
- Verify SIA licence validity for your employees — How to use the SIA licence checker to verify employee licences before deployment. Covers your …
- Set up security staff training — How to establish and manage ongoing training for private security employees. Covers initial SIA qualifications, …
- Manage security staff working time — Working time compliance for private security employers. Covers maximum weekly hours, night worker limits, rest …
- SIA employer compliance checklist — Compliance audit checklist for private security employers. Covers SIA licensing, refresher training, first aid, DBS …
- Security staff onboarding checklist — Pre-deployment checklist for onboarding new private security employees. Covers SIA licence verification, DBS checks, right …
- SIA training qualifications reference — Quick-reference table of all SIA-approved qualifications by licence type, including core qualifications, refresher requirements, first …
- 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 …
- Start a private security business — End-to-end guide to starting a private security business in Great Britain, covering company registration, mandatory …
- Apply for an SIA licence — Step-by-step guide to applying for a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Covers which licence type …
- Renew your SIA licence — How to renew your SIA licence before it expires, including the new mandatory refresher training …
- SIA licence types and requirements — Quick reference for all SIA licence types, which security activities require a licence, and current …
- Register as an SIA Approved Contractor — How to apply for and maintain SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status. Covers eligibility requirements, …