Latest Legislation News

Vigil introduces free Audits to help meet compliance laws
posted on 19/03/2010

Legal liability and regulatory compliance means companies are tasked with ensuring data breaches do not occur. In particular the public and private sectors are faced with increasingly complex legislation such as Government Connect Secure Extranet (GCSX), Government Protective Marking Scheme (GPMS) and GPG 13 (Good Practice Guide 13), Freedom of Information act, Data Protection Act, which adds further impetus for strengthening policies. Vigil has announced the launch of a new ‘Free Compliance Audit’. Vigil has introduced the Free Compliance Audit to help address ongoing legislation issues and ensure a comprehensive review of organisations adherence to regulatory guidelines. Vigil will work in conjunction with its channel partners on the ‘Free Compliance Audit’ to understand business requirements, identify discrepancies and propose solutions to issues such as the GCSx Code of Connection (CoCo 4.1) compliance which has a deadline of March 31st that many authorities must meet. Alex T... [more]

The risks of losing data and how to prevent it
posted on 05/03/2010

In an era when the UK Government itself acknowledges that total security of data is impossible, and the Information Commissioner has described data as a potential “toxic liability” to an organisation, never has the protection of data been more critical. The risks associated with the potential loss of confidential company, customer or employee data are explored in this article by Shoosmiths solicitors, in conjunction with Bernard Parsons, CEO at Becrypt. The piece also includes an overview of the relevant legislation and provides advice on best practice for when organisations are handling such data. The possible financial and commercial consequences of the loss of sensitive customer data or confidential corporate information are far reaching. Organisations need to be fully aware of the risks of losing data, as well as how to prevent it. Such data is typically lost through carelessness, lack of training or theft. Furthermore, the loss of employee data is likely to be in breach of th... [more]

Customers should be legally responsible for ensuring that their security contractors are meeting SIA requirements
posted on 03/03/2010

When the Security Industry Authority (SIA) first arrived on the scene, they expressed the view that the cost of licensing would be recouped by security companies, with customers happy to pay for a more professional service. However security companies soon discovered a reluctance on the part of the majority of customers to pay any increase, even before the current recession started. Rather they hoped that the SIA would continue to promote the industry and encourage customers to meet the cost. Certainly the least that security companies should have been able to expect from the licensing authority was support in ensuring that their clients would at least have to ensure that contract companies they engage would be supplying licensed staff. A recent SIA press releaseshows that the SIA is not in fact supporting that position. There appears to have been a total turnaround by the SIA on the culpability of the customers or clients. Last year, in response to a question raised at the SIA May... [more]

Former Dorset security director fined for supplying unlicensed door staff and working without SIA licence
posted on 19/02/2010

By law, anyone working as a door supervisor must have and display a valid SIA licence. This means they have passed an approved training qualification and undergone vetting such as criminal record and identity checks. Directors and managers must have at least a non-front line licence. A former Dorset security director recently pleaded guilty to supplying unlicensed security operatives, and to not holding an SIA licence. Andrew Mark Lee, 40, who ran Trade Secret Security, was given a 12-month conditional discharge for supplying unlicensed door staff. He was also fined £1,000 plus a victim surcharge of £15 and ordered to pay costs of £500 for working without an SIA licence, during the hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court. During routine checks by Dorset Police licensing offers in Bournemouth in May last year, a door supervisor, who had been supplied to one venue by Lee, was found working with an expired SIA licence. The door supervisor later received a police caution. Lee, of Holly Clos... [more]

Edinburgh security boss fined failing to provide information to the SIA when requested
posted on 10/02/2010

An Edinburgh security boss has been fined for failing to provide information about his company to the Security Industry Authority. At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, Prinz Patrick Ukonga, 44, pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the SIA when requested – an offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Ukonga, of Tranet, East Lothian, was director of Znrip Top Security Limited based in Edinburgh, which supplied door staff to pubs and clubs in the area. It is no longer operating. The SIA received intelligence that Ukonga was supplying unlicensed door staff to venues. During the course of the investigation, SIA investigators requested information about his employees and contracts with venues. Ukonga did not cooperate with the investigation and failed to provide this information. He was fined £500. In sentencing Ukonga, Sheriff Graeme Warner said that the amount of Ukonga's fine reflected his personal circumstances, although he should not underestimate the ser... [more]

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