On the Case

Sponsored and supported by Initial Security, the Academy is designed to deliver a portfolio of training courses for individuals at all levels, including security managers, officers and CCTV operators. Here, Mike Bluestone expands on the training programme listed in CASE's 2006 Course Directory.

The Central Academy of Security Excellence (CASE) was established to provide support, raise standards and enhance knowledge among all stakeholders in what is now an ever-more dynamic security environment. We want to help businesses identify the security issues they face, evaluate risks to their operations, implement solutions and help improve their security skills base.

Our portfolio of training programmes includes courses for individuals operating at all levels within the security team or organisation. All modules are subject to continual review, thereby ensuring they reflect the latest changes in legislation, current research findings and recognised Best Practice. Several of the training programmes have also been accredited by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and The Security Institute.

On top of the standard training, CASE also offers a comprehensive range of security consulting services to organisations operating across all the well-recognised business sectors. We can assist security managers with the development of corporate security policies and strategies, undertaking security risk assessments, reviews and audits, the planning and management of specific security projects, specialist electronic counter-measures, the selection (and subsequent management) of contracted security partners and the organisation of planned corporate security events.

Fraud, of course, is fast becoming an increasingly ubiquitous issue for businesses of all sizes. Here, CASE can also advise on investigation and management techniques such that the risks posed by unscrupulous activity might be ring-fenced.

Our specialist team of advisors can assist with the development and implementation of fraud prevention policies and strategy programmes, corporate fraud and financial investigations, corporate due diligence, personnel screening and vetting, discreet surveillance programmes and legal support.

The majority of courses can be tailored towards a company's specific requirements, thereby ensuring that employees' skills are developed to meet defined business objectives. Learning programmes are designed to reflect the needs of individuals with different skills and experience levels.

Delivering in-company training

Three options are available for the delivery of in-company training: dedicated courses administered at a location of the host organisation's choice, standard tailored courses and fully-bespoke training.

The core content of most of the standard courses may be modified, enhanced or combined to offer a solo, tailored programme of learning. Exercises, case studies, role-play and practical training can all be incorporated. The structure and emphasis of all teaching may also be modified to suit.

For in-company training there is a five-stage approach. First is the initial discussion. A dedicated account manager will discuss requirements with the client, answer any questions the client might have and agree the best approach. At this stage, a full Training Needs Analysis Report can also be produced. A full training structure is then devised, together with the costs for consultancy, development and delivery. Once the proposal is finalised, the training programme is then developed as required, and the course delivered.

The evaluation of any training is absolutely critical to measuring its success. At the end of all programmes of learning both the trainer and the instruction he or she has delivered will be assessed. A detailed series of 360 degree feedback and post-programme interviews may be incorporated as part of the ‘Service Level Agreement' as and when required.

Case offers training in five areas: regulation (SIA approved), security management, Health and Safety and risk, specialisms (including control and restraint and bomb awareness) and management development/personal effectiveness.

For security officers, there is a special course providing the mandatory training for Parts 1 and 2 of the Security Industry Authority's licensing requirements. There is instruction in customer care and social skills, fire safety, how to deal with incidents and emergencies and conflict management.

The core content of most of the standard courses may be modified, enhanced or combined to offer a solo, tailored programme of learning. Exercises, case studies, role play and practical training can all be incorporated

On completion of the four-day training schedule, participants will be awarded the National Open College Network (NOCN) Level 2 Award in Security Guarding.

The training course for CCTV operators leads to the same level of award, this time concentrating on Public Space Surveillance operations. The relevant Codes of Practice, operational procedures and guidelines are all covered in detail, so too CCTV equipment, Control Room communications and access control, basic surveillance techniques and fire and emergency procedures.

The other SIA-approved course is aimed at door supervisors, and leads to the Level 2 NOCN Award in Door Supervision.

Security management courses

The Academy's security management portfolio has been specifically designed to offer delegates at all levels the ability to develop and then further their career in the security industry. Three of the courses, in fact, have been formulated in conjunction with many of the UK's leading security managers so that they really cover the key aspects required to build a successful career.

Supervisory Management Parts 1 and 2 is designed to introduce newly-appointed supervisors and managers (and those who want a ‘refresher') to their roles and responsibilities. Parts 1 and 2 span two days each, and cover performance reviews, decision-making and problem solving, leadership styles and skills, time management, the ‘art' of delegation, how to mete out clear instructions to the team and a look at the supervisor and manager as trainer.

The Practical Security Surveying and Auditing course relates to both public and private sector corporations. The two-day programme enables delegates to combine the theoretical study of this hugely important topic with a detailed and practical scenario exercise.

Suitable for security managers and directors, site security managers, facilities managers and all others with a responsibility for on-site security and safety, the two-day course is also suited to those supervisors who aspire to a management role in the future.

The course reviews the nature of threats to public and private sector organisations, provides an understanding of the security survey and audit processes, the principles behind corporate governance and social responsibility, the so-called ‘Eight Principles of Security', the principles of security risk management, crime prevention through environmental design and ASRA (Area Security Risk Analysis, of which more anon).

Securing Corporate Social Events is a one-day course carefully pieced together for security, facilities and other managers in public and private sector corporations who have a need to prepare for the security of special events on a regular or infrequent basis.

The intensive programme defines and categorises specialist corporate events, examines the preparation of security protocols, looks at how to conduct dedicated threat and risk assessments, define and allocate roles and responsibilities, understand and prepare for contingencies and emergencies and effective liaison with the police (and any other relevant law enforcement and emergency services).

The pure Security Management course (just like the Global Strategic Security Analysis course, in fact) is endorsed by The Security Institute. On completion of this course, all delegates will acquire the necessary skills to understand the UK security industry and the requirements of the Regulator, a clear undertaking of the principles of physical and intellectual security, a broad awareness of the requirements of British Standards and relevant legislation and the competence to be able to deal with contingencies and crises.

Who should attend? Security managers, facilities directors and premises managers. Anyone, in truth, who is directly responsible for managing the security of premises and people. The course will also benefit those aspiring to a career in security management.

The majority of courses can be tailored towards a company’s specific requirements, thereby ensuring that employees’ skills are developed to meet defined business objectives. Learning programmes are designed to meet the needs of individuals with different skills and experience levels

This course is split into five single day modules. On Day One, there's an introduction to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and British Standards BS 7499 and 7858, the principles of security awareness, police/private sector co-operation and partnerships, police reform and the latest trends in crime and terrorism. Day Two covers security risk management, the principles of physical and intellectual security, the management of both tendering and procurement processes, ‘designing-out' crime and crime prevention through environmental design.

The management of security personnel and guarding teams is central to the Day Three programme, as well as in-house and outsourced programmes, security audit processes, TUPE, the Working Time Directive and related employment legislation.

Day Four is concerned with preventing fraud and corporate crime in general, pre-employment (and ongoing) screening and vetting processes, information security and corporate due diligence. On Day Five, the main focus is corporate contingency planning, managing crises and business continuity.

Strategic security analyses

The Global Strategic Security Analysis course runs over eight days. It is specifically designed to provide a broad foundation of the theory and practice of senior level corporate security and intelligence, its implementation and the crucial interface with intelligence and law enforcement agencies at the global and strategic level.

This course should be of great interest (and practical relevance) to senior and middle level Government and public sector corporate security managers and officials, police and law enforcement officers, security managers and facilities directors with global and/or strategic security responsibilities.

Corporate Fraud: A Practical Approach to Fraud Prevention can be delivered in half-day or full-day options. Security managers and directors, investigators and consultants, Human Resources directors, finance managers, auditors and all those with responsibility for ensuring the prevention of fraud (and maintaining staff integrity) should consider attending this course.

It covers the scale of corporate fraud in the UK, an examination of the type of offences that constitute fraud, the nature of fraud and identity theft, the process of fraud prevention, establishing an anti-fraud culture and using security risk management techniques to combat fraud.

Also on the agenda is the protection of intellectual assets and IT systems, managing the disciplinary process for corporate fraud and preparing and implementing fraud response plans. There is also a very useful review of some real world Case Studies.

Personal awareness training

The management development and personal effectiveness portfolio operated by CASE covers the essential skills required by managers, supervisors and team leaders operating in a progressive work environment. All courses are aimed at developing and enhancing professional behaviour in the workplace, thereby increasing an individual's contribution to the organisation.

Areas tackled by the CASE-appointed tutors include assertive skills, appraisal skills, business writing skills, dispute management, customer care and telephone skills, time management and ‘training the trainer'.