Sector
Defence, Security & Space
Defence contractors, security services, aerospace and space technology.
Start here
See all 7Plan SIA licence renewals for your team
Refresher training becomes mandatory for close protection
Prepare your venue for Martyn's Law
The SIA becomes the regulator for premises protect duties
Start a private security business
SIA licensing and set-up for a security business
SIA licence compliance quick check
The licence-holder self-audit
Export controlled goods and dual-use items
Controlled and dual-use exports — penalties reach 10 years
Respond to SIA enforcement action
SIA enforcement action? Start here
Who regulates you
See all 8HSE (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.
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.
ICO (opens in a new tab)
Data protection, freedom of information, privacy and electronic communications regulation. Enforces UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Issues fines for breaches. All businesses …
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.
Ofcom (opens in a new tab)
Regulates telecoms, TV, radio, video-on-demand, postal services, and online safety. Issues licences for telecoms providers, manages spectrum. Now enforces Online Safety Act duties for …
Enforces 2 Acts this sector relies on.
Key legislation
See all 14General rules
Common requirements that apply across industries. Conditions such as employing people or operating premises are shown only after they are known.
File your confirmation statement
File a confirmation statement every 12 months, within 14 days after your review period ends. Filing late is a criminal offence for the company and its officers.
Applies across industries.
General ruleVerify your identity for Companies House as a director or PSC
Yes, if you are an individual director or PSC of a UK company, or an individual director of an overseas company registered in the UK. Corporate directors and officers of corporate PSCs are not yet required to verify. The transition for existing directors and PSCs ends on 17 November 2026.
Applies across industries.
General ruleMandatory 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.
Applies across industries.
General rulePre-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.
Applies across industries.
General ruleMeet 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.
Applies across industries.
General ruleCheck 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.
Applies across industries.
All guidance for defence, security & space
International Trade
5
Defence Security Clearances
Understand SC and DV security clearance requirements for defence contractors.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
UK Export Controls for Defence Products
Navigate UK Strategic Export Control requirements for military and dual-use goods.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Become a MOD Supplier
How to register on MOD procurement portals, meet security and quality requirements, and bid for defence contracts.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
ITAR Compliance for UK Companies
Comply with US ITAR regulations when handling US defence articles.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
UK Space Industry Licensing
Obtain licences for satellite operations, launches, and space activities.
Relevant across several parts of this sector.
Compliance & Legal
8
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
Show 12 more
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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).
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
SIA licence types and requirements
Quick reference for all SIA licence types, which security activities require a licence, and current fees.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
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.
Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.
All journeys
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
A step-by-step path through the regulations that apply to security and investigation businesses — manned guarding, door supervision, …
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.
Public Administration & Defence
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
SIC 84