HSE (opens in a new tab)
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates serious incidents …
Enforces 4 Acts this sector relies on.
Sector
Defence, Security & Space
Defence contractors, security services, aerospace and space technology.
- Guides
- 25
- Regulators
- 6
- Legislation
- 13
- Journeys
- 8
Start here
See all 8Step-by-step routes through what defence, security & space businesses must do.
Ranked by how thoroughly each journey maps this sector's guidance.
Journey
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
JourneyStart 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.
JourneyEmploying 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
Who regulates you
The bodies that set rules and enforce compliance for defence, security & space.
Ranked by how much of the legislation this sector's guides cite each one enforces.
CAA (opens in a new tab)
UK's aviation regulator. Responsible for aviation safety, airspace policy, economic regulation of airports, and consumer protection. Issues air operator certificates, pilot licences, and drone …
Enforces 3 Acts this sector relies on.
ECJU (opens in a new tab)
Administers the UK export licensing system for military and dual-use goods, software, and technology. Part of the Department for Business and Trade. Processes export …
Enforces 2 Acts this sector relies on.
Home Office (opens in a new tab)
Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for employers hiring overseas workers. …
Enforces 2 Acts this sector relies on.
SIA (opens in a new tab)
Regulates the private security industry in the UK. Issues licences for security guards, door supervisors, CCTV operators, close protection operatives, and other security roles. …
Enforces 2 Acts this sector relies on.
SRA (opens in a new tab)
Regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. Sets standards, authorises firms, investigates misconduct, and can impose sanctions including fines and strike-off from …
Enforces 2 Acts this sector relies on.
Key legislation
See all 13The Acts and statutory instruments that set duties for this sector.
Ranked by how many of this sector's guides cite each — the legislation most central to the sector appears first.
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Act
Private Security Industry Act 2001 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 13 of this sector's guides
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SI
Export Control Order 2008 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 2 of this sector's guides
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Act
Export Control Act 2002 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 2 of this sector's guides
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Act
Official Secrets Act 1989 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 2 of this sector's guides
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Act
Procurement Act 2023 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 1 of this sector's guide
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SI
Space Industry Regulations 2021 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 1 of this sector's guide
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Act
Space Industry Act 2018 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 1 of this sector's guide
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Act
Defence Reform Act 2014 (opens in a new tab) Cited by 1 of this sector's guide
All guidance for defence, security & space
25 guides for this sector.
Grouped by topic area, with the topic holding the most guidance first; within each, the most comprehensive guides lead.
Sector-Specific
21 guides
- 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 …
- 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 …
- SIA employer compliance checklist Compliance audit checklist for private security employers. Covers SIA licensing, refresher training, first aid, DBS checks, right to work verification, …
- UK Space Industry Licensing Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.
- 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 …
- 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, …
- Public administration: compliance checklist Use this checklist to confirm your public administration body (SIC division 84) meets its workplace, equality and data-protection obligations. Work …
- 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 …
- 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 …
- Renew your SIA licence How to renew your SIA licence before it expires, including the new mandatory refresher training requirements for door supervisors (from …
- 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 …
- Defence Security Clearances Understand SC and DV security clearance requirements for defence contractors.
- 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 …
- Become a MOD Supplier How to register on MOD procurement portals, meet security and quality requirements, and bid for defence contracts.
- UK Export Controls for Defence Products Navigate UK Strategic Export Control requirements for military and dual-use goods.
- ITAR Compliance for UK Companies Comply with US ITAR regulations when handling US defence articles.
- 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 …
- 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, …
- SIA licence types and requirements Quick reference for all SIA licence types, which security activities require a licence, and current fees.
- 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 …
- 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 …
Compliance & Legal
4 guides
- 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 …
- 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 …
- Security and investigation compliance checklist Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your security or investigation business — …
- 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 …
All journeys
- 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 …
- 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 …
- Employing security staff: your compliance obligations What pubs, clubs, retail, and events businesses need to know when employing or contracting SIA-licensed security staff — …
- 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 …
- SIA licence compliance quick check Quick compliance check for businesses employing SIA-licensed staff. Covers licence validity, licence types, refresher training, first aid, right …
- Set up a security and investigation business
- Respond to SIA enforcement action What to do if your security business faces SIA enforcement action including licence revocation, compliance inspection failure, or …
- Set up a public administration body Learning path for public administration bodies — government departments, local authorities, defence establishments and agencies carrying out compulsory …
Subsectors
SIC 2007 divisions covered by this sector.