Today’s fast-paced environment poses businesses with numerous security-related challenges, including cyber-attacks and physical breaches. In the UK, security regulations are vital because they protect the assets, employees, and customers of a business while, at the same time, complying with the legal principles. From small office businesses to big enterprises, the officials and owners of those businesses need to understand the various security regulations that not only protect the business but also prevent legal consequences. GM Security Services helps businesses in handling all of the various security compliance regulations to ensure that they meet all regulatory requirements and, at the same time, keep your business safe. The article highlights some of the main security regulations in the UK, which every business should work toward understanding. The importance of abiding by these rules comes first, followed by how the real security breaches affected businesses that do not comply with those rules.
1. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The United Kingdom most important piece of legislation affecting businesses is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order places the onus of fire safety on the employer or business owner. They are required to do regular fire risk assessments and to take preventative measures against fire-placing fire alarms, extinguishers, and emergency lighting in the building. A major fire broke out in a London office building in 2019 as a result of inadequate fire safety measures. The owners hadn’t conducted any fire risk assessments through regular internal checks, thus exposing their staff in the face of the emergency. This led to huge fines against them, and the building was declared off-limits for repairs. A warning to those who remain unconvinced about fire safety and compliance with fire safety laws-to help protect your business from catastrophic legal and financial disaster. The GM Security Services have fire marshal services in place to ensure that your workplace accommodates all fire safety regulations-based on regular checks and assessments to help prevent fire-related accidents.
2. Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)
As corporations persist in the storing of and processing of customer and worker data, the need to be compliant with the provisions established by the Data Protection Act 2018 thereby enforcing GDPR is evident. Businesses must, therefore, in any actionable way possible, handle personal data according to appropriate standards by keeping it secure and only using it for legitimate purposes. GDPR does provide for different tiers of penalties, such as pecuniary fines and reputational damage. In 2020, one of the most popular retailers in the UK was served a hefty fine after a data breach revealed private details of millions of clients. The breach was attributed to the retailer’s failure to put in place adequate cybersecurity measures. Consequently, the Information Commissioner’s Office grabbed their attention by imposing a significant penalty on them and reminding them of the concomitant financial and reputational risks that non-compliance presents. Partnering with GM Security Services will help businesses in maintaining an up-to-date practice in data protection. We provide tailored security guard services and cybersecurity solutions aimed at helping to keep sensitive data safe from any physical and online threats.
3. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the employer has a legal obligation to protect the health, safety, and welfare of employees and visitors while on the premises. Physical safety is keeping the premises free from any threats such as bad security measures leading to theft, vandalism, or violence. In 2018, one manufacturing company was found liable for the employee being attacked by an intruder due to inadequate security. The company failed to put in place manned guarding services or any other security system like CCTV semblances that could have frustrated easy access to the intruder. The company was fined for contravening health and safety regulations, emphasizing the need to secure your workplace. GM Security Services ensures full compliance with health and safety regulations by providing a complete range of manned guarding and mobile patrol services. Our security officers are trained to react swiftly to avoid and manage incidents, thus providing a safe environment for all staff and visitors.
4. The Private Security Industry Act 2001
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 is the piece of legislation that basically governs the private security sector in the United Kingdom. By this UK act, all security personnel should be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Whether it is event security, or manned guarding, or mobile patrols – all security staff are required to have an SIA license to operate within UK laws. Such a case striking the headlines in 2021 was when a UK nightclub utilized unlicensed security staff for crowd control during a major event. Things escalated into violence, and the unlicensed guards were unable to contain the chaos, ending in injuries. Not only did this event result in a lawsuit, but the business was also fined for employing unlicensed personnel in direct violation of the law.The events discussed above come with great risks, which can be averted by employing the services of GM Security Services; we offer highly trained and well-licensed security staff working under the Private Security Industry Act of 2001. Our repeated training and certification prove that your business adheres to all laws while upholding a high quality of security.
5. The Terrorism Act 2000
Some businesses might interpret terrorism as a threat far away, but the requirements of the Terrorism Act 2000 bind them to remain alert against possible acts of terrorism. This act further defines the action to be undertaken by businesses in communicating with authorities any kind of suspicious activities and to guard their premises against any possible targeting by terrorist acts. In 2017, not-very-far-from-the-malls of the UK, a shopping mall was the object of a considerable terrorist complex that attempted to get into the premises of that mall. As that premise operated around a strengthened security combination of event security, manned guarding, and the like, hence the security should be vigilantly able to operate against the upcoming events. The reason why that response is indicative of the need for proactive work in taking down a threat to terrorism is because a teaming effort with local authorities had happened again to prevent it from escalating in both scale and risk of attacks. GM Security Services features well-schooled highly trained security professionals in counter-terrorism operations who offer businesses a lot of protection. Event security and mobile patrols provided by us are set up to satisfy any threat the naked eye might spot and neutralize them before they grow into terrible issues.
Compliance Is Key to Protecting Your Business
Understanding and following security regulations in the UK is important in preventing threats and legal consequences to your enterprise. Whether it is fire safety, data protection, or counter-terrorism measures, it is always better to be safe ahead of the curve in order not to incur costly incidents that would jeopardize the safety of your employees, clients, and assets. GM Security Services offer a wide range of security solutions, tailored to meet your specific business needs. From manned guarding and mobile patrols to fire marshal services and event security, we help you keep track of UK security regulations and protect your business. Get in touch today to find out how we can help to make sure that your business meets the UK security regulations and other requirements for safety and compliance.
