Blueprint for Change

The Relaunch of the UK SIA

21st Century Security Management

A Workable Strategic Plan of Action

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Overview

The following is a concept idea for the relaunch of the UK Security Industry Authority that can coincide with the introduction of the UK’s new Protect Duty legislation in 2027 (Martyn’s Law), marking a definitive shift from volume based licensing to competency based security training and regulation.

The strategic objective is to rebuild trust, restore operational credibility, and elevate standards across the UK security industry to meet modern day threats and deliver credibility.

1. Why Its Required

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This plan is simply a forward thinking concept, an idea to advise and help the SIA reshape its direction and restore credibility and more importantly VALUE in the industry. By shifting away from the outdated badge by volume model and toward a competency based framework, the SIA has an opportunity to break free from its reputation as a badging factory.

This concept vision offers a workable path to rebuild professional standards, reintroduce meaningful training, and align the industry with the demands of 21^st century security management. It’s not about blame, it’s about course correction, relevance, and raising the bar for those trusted to protect people and places across the UK and with the introduction of the Protect Duty in 2027 the timing is right for a relaunch.

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2. Core Objectives

1. Replace current courses with structured, modernised training
2. Deliver focused competency aligned training for 21^st century threats
3. Prepare the industry to meet the legal requirements of the Protect Duty
4. Rebrand and relaunch the SIA as a modern regulator focused on quality, professionalism, and protection

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3. Suggested New SIA Qualification Framework

From June 2026, all new SIA badge applicants must complete new course syllabuses.

3.1. Stage 1 Core security fundamentals for all new applicants (4 week course)

Who attends?

1. Door Supervisors
2. Security Guards
3. Close Protection Officers

• Suggested Topics
• Principles of Security
• Physical Security Systems
• Basic Risk Assessment & Incident Response
• Psychology, Behavioural Recognition & Situational Awareness
• Law, Use of Force, and Duty of Care
• Communications & De-escalation Methods
• Modern Threat Environment & Behavioural Indicators
• Assisting Public Agencies

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3.2. Stage 2 Specialist Role Training

1. Door Supervisors. 1 week of venue security, conflict resolution, crowd management
2. Close Protection Officers. 2 weeks of advanced threat mitigation, protective planning, surveillance, and team operations.

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4. Requalification for Existing Licence Holders

1. From June 2026, all current SIA licence holders with expiry dates beyond this point must complete a requalification course to maintain their licence.
2. Door Supervisors, Security Guarding and Close Protection Officers attend the 1 and 2 week course as described above and a 1 week competency based security guarding course.
3. Training will ensure all security staff understand the requirements of the new Protect Law due in 2027.

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5. Training Infrastructure

1. Courses delivered at a minimum of 10 regional centres across the UK
2. Each site will offer all courses delivered by security professionals
3. Curriculum developed in collaboration with police, private sector, and counter terrorism professionals.
4. No need for sites to be open 52 weeks a year, a programme of courses can be developed and sites used as and when required and courses published well in advance.

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6. Implementation Timeline

Phase	Timeline	Key Milestones
Planning & Development	Aug 2025 Jan 2026	Create curriculum, identify training centres, announce reforms publicly
Instructors Identified & Site Prep	Feb 2026 Apr 2026	Identify instructors, prepare regional facilities, launch national awareness campaign
Pilot Courses	May 2026	Trial courses with evaluation and refinement
Official Launch of New Training	June 2026	All new applicants start under new framework
Requalification Courses Begin	July 2026 to 2027	All active licence holders complete mandatory recertification courses
SIA Relaunch Campaign	Mar 2027	Public and industry facing campaign to relaunch SIA as modern, credible, and competency-driven

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7. Inevitable Increase in Costs

With the introduction of enhanced, competency-based training, course costs will inevitably rise to reflect the increased duration, depth, and quality of instruction. However, this investment will directly translate into higher standards across the industry, producing better trained professionals, improved public safety, and greater trust in private security.

With the use of reginal training sites, course attendance numbers will be higher and student costs can be reduced accordingly.

As competence replaces box ticking, the value of security will increase in both perception and practice, positioning trained operatives as skilled assets rather than expendable badge holders. Ultimately, paying more for genuine capability delivers far greater return than continuing to cut corners on cost, quality and stop the current practice of flooding the market with low quality volume that maintains a low value of security personnel.

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8. Summary

An SIA relaunch plan can realign the organisation with the demands of 21^st century security management, ensuring personnel are qualified, situationally aware, and operationally competent.

By synchronising the overhaul with the introduction of the Protect Duty in 2027, the SIA can restore its reputation, reverse two decades of decline, and establish itself as a forward facing regulator focused on public safety, quality, and professionalism.

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Final Word

Let’s be realistic, despite the clear need for reform, the SIA will almost certainly continue doing what it’s done best for the last 20 years, ignoring constructive advice, dismissing industry insight, and doubling down on the status quo.

After all, why disrupt a system that’s earned it the nickname the badging factory and helped reduce a once skilled profession to a race to the bottom? If history is any guide, meaningful change will only come when it’s forced, not when it’s most needed. But hey, at least we tried.