Who are the SIA? A Complete Guide to Licensing, Training Changes, Compliance and Martyn’s Law

James Consulting
21 hours ago
6 min read

If you work in, or are considering a career in, the private security industry, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is one of the most important organisations you will ever deal with.

From licensing and training standards to compliance, enforcement and, increasingly, counter-terror preparedness, the SIA plays a central role in how the industry operates in the UK.

In recent years, we have seen major changes to SIA training requirements, the introduction of mandatory refresher training, tougher action on training malpractice, and the forthcoming implementation of Martyn’s Law, which will significantly affect security provision at public venues and events.

This guide will walk you through:

Who the SIA are and what they do
The different SIA licences available
Recent changes to training and refresher requirements
Training malpractice and compliance risks
What Martyn’s Law means for the industry
How we support individuals and organisations through training and compliance

Who Are the SIA?

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the statutory body responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom. It was established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and became fully operational in 2003.

The SIA is sponsored by the Home Office and exists to:

Protect the public
Raise professional standards
Reduce criminality within the security sector
Ensure that people working in licensable roles are trained, vetted and fit to operate

In simple terms, the SIA ensures that anyone working in most front-line security roles is properly trained, properly vetted, and legally licensed.

What Does the SIA Do?

The SIA’s responsibilities fall into several key areas:

1. Licensing of Security Professionals

The SIA issues individual licences to people working in regulated security roles. This includes:

Identity and criminal record checks (DBS)
Right to work verification
Training qualification validation
Ongoing licence renewal

Working without the correct SIA licence is a criminal offence for both the individual and the employer.

2. Regulation of Training Providers

The SIA approves Awarding Organisations (such as Highfield, QNUK, and others) and regulates the training pathways that lead to licensing.

3. Compliance & Enforcement

The SIA investigates:

Unlicensed security operatives
Non-compliant employers
Training centres committing malpractice
Fraudulent licence applications

They have the legal power to prosecute, issue substantial fines, and pursue criminal convictions.

4. Raising Industry Standards

Through continual updates to mandatory training, first aid requirements, and counter-terror content, the SIA raises the professional bar across the sector.

The Different Types of SIA Licences

There are several SIA licence categories, depending on the role you perform:

1. Door Supervisor Licence

This is the most widely held licence and allows you to work in:

Pubs, bars, clubs
Events and festivals
Retail security
Corporate static guarding
Venue security

It includes physical intervention training, conflict management, and first aid.

2. Security Guarding Licence

For non-front-line guarding roles such as:

Office buildings
Construction sites
Factories
Logistics yards

This licence does not permit alcohol-licensed premises work or physical intervention.

3. Close Protection Licence (Bodyguarding)

For those protecting individuals at risk, including:

High-net-worth individuals
Executives
Witness protection
Media figures
Overseas operations

This is one of the most demanding and tightly regulated SIA licences.

4. CCTV (Public Space Surveillance) Licence

For operators monitoring public or private CCTV systems in control rooms.

5. Vehicle Immobilisation (Outside London Only)

Now heavily restricted and only licensable in specific regions.

6. Key Holding Licence

For those holding keys and responding to alarm activations.

Major Changes to SIA Training Requirements

Over the last few years, the SIA has significantly strengthened training requirements across all licence types. These changes were introduced to improve public safety, professionalism, and operational competence.

1. Emergency First Aid Is Now Mandatory

All front-line licence holders must now complete Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or equivalent before attending SIA training.

2. Introduction of Counter-Terrorism Awareness

ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) principles are now embedded into most SIA qualifications, including:

Identifying hostile reconnaissance
Recognising suspicious behaviour
Understanding dynamic threat environments
Responding to marauding terror attacks

3. Enhanced Physical Intervention Standards

Door supervisors and close protection operatives now receive more structured training focused on:

Legal use of force
Proportionality
Public protection
Post-incident welfare

4. Digital Certification & ID Verification

Paper certificates are being phased out in favour of secure digital records and identity verification systems.

Refresher Training – You Can No Longer “Renew and Forget”

One of the most significant regulatory changes is the introduction of mandatory refresher training.

Previously, licence holders could simply renew every three years with minimal requirements. That is no longer the case.

You must now complete:

Refresher training modules
Updated first aid certification
Physical intervention updates (where applicable)
Counter-terror awareness refreshers

If you fail to complete refresher training:

You cannot renew your licence
You cannot legally work
Employers cannot deploy you

This change is designed to ensure that all operatives remain current, competent, and legally up to date in a rapidly evolving risk environment.

Training Malpractice – A Growing Industry Risk

Unfortunately, as demand for SIA courses has grown, so too has training malpractice. This includes:

Certificates issued without full attendance
Answers provided during exams
Assessments completed by third parties
Forged first aid certificates
Trainers delivering sub-standard or non-compliant courses

The SIA and Awarding Bodies now actively investigate training centres. If malpractice is found, the consequences can include:

Complete qualification withdrawal
Licence revocation for learners
Criminal prosecution
Permanent bans from the industry
Business closure for providers

For learners, this can be devastating — losing their licence and livelihood through no fault of their own. This is why it is absolutely vital to train with a fully compliant, audited and reputable provider.

Martyn’s Law – The Biggest Change to UK Venue Security in a Generation

Martyn’s Law (officially the Protect Duty) is new security legislation named after Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017.

Once fully implemented, Martyn’s Law will place a legal duty on public venues and event organisers to:

Assess terror risks
Implement proportionate protective security measures
Train staff in counter-terror response
Have clear emergency and evacuation plans
Work more closely with security professionals and police

This will affect:

Hotels
Shopping centres
Stadiums and arenas
Universities
Night-time economy venues
Public events and festivals
Transport hubs
Council buildings

Security will no longer be viewed as an optional extra, it will be a legal requirement.

For businesses, failure to comply could result in:

Heavy financial penalties
Enforcement action
Closure notices
Serious reputational damage

For the security industry, Martyn’s Law represents both a responsibility and a major professional opportunity, but only for those who are properly trained and compliant.

How We Support SIA Training, Compliance & Martyn’s Law Preparedness

At James Consulting, we deliver fully compliant SIA training and specialist security consultancy designed to protect both individual careers and business operations.

We provide:

✅ SIA Licence Training

Door Supervisor
Security Guarding
Close Protection
CCTV
Key Holding
Refresher Training for all applicable licences

All courses meet the latest SIA and Awarding Organisation specifications with full compliance, proper assessment, and post-course learner support.

✅ Licence Support & Career Guidance

We don’t just train, we support and counsel individuals through:

Licence applications
Renewals and refresher compliance
Career progression within the security industry
Specialist route advice (CP, surveillance, maritime, government security)

✅ Martyn’s Law Consultancy & Venue Preparedness

We help organisations:

Conduct threat and vulnerability risk assessments
Develop Protect Duty compliance frameworks
Train staff in counter-terror awareness
Build evacuation and lockdown procedures
Align security provision with Martyn’s Law requirements

We work closely with:

Hospitality groups
Venue owners
Local authorities
Event organisers
Education establishments
Private security companies

Final Thoughts

The private security industry is changing rapidly. The SIA is tightening regulation, refresher training is now mandatory, malpractice enforcement is increasing, and Martyn’s Law will soon reshape how public safety is managed across the UK.

For individuals, this means higher professional standards and greater career protection.

For businesses, it means greater responsibility — but also greater risk if compliance is ignored.

Getting it right is no longer optional. It is essential.

Call to Action – Train, Comply & Prepare With Confidence

If you are:

Looking to gain or renew your SIA licence
Seeking career advice and licence guidance
Operating a venue that must prepare for Martyn’s Law
Or running a security business that needs compliant, future-proof staff training

We can help.

At James Consulting, we deliver: