Protective services
Professional security operative - Security Control Room Operative
To be an organisation’s first line of defence.
Summary
This occupation is found in a range of public, private and not for profit sectors. These can include iconic or historic locations, commercial or residential buildings, transport and rail installations, healthcare and educational facilities, retail outlets, logistics and the transportation of high net-worth assets and currency. Employment can range from a small front-of-house security team to large-scale nation-wide organisations.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to be an organisation’s first line of defence against activities that threaten the security of the UK and continuity of its organisations' core businesses. Professional security operatives protect people, assets, property and premises via a layered security approach. This includes the need to enforce legal requirements, policies, procedures (including Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Operating Procedures) and rules to provide a safe and secure environment. Professional security operatives monitor assigned areas to act as a deterrent, identify hostile reconnaissance, identify suspicious items, people, or vehicles and respond to alarms, incidents and emergencies. They will conduct regular and random searches and report and record information following organisational procedure. Through the performance of these duties, professional security operatives also play a key role in counter terrorism activity.
- Operational security operatives are responsible for ensuring the safety of others, including large groups or crowds. They identify potential security risks and act upon them to maintain safety. They are responsible for searching, scanning, screening, crowd management, conflict management, patrolling, access and egress, and emergency procedures on the ground.
- Cash and valuables in transit (CViT) operatives ensure the safe and secure transportation of cash and a wide variety of valuables, including jewellery, art and precious metals. They use specially adapted vehicles and equipment such as protective secured boxes, personal protective equipment such as CViT helmets, body armour, and communication systems to ensure the safety of the valuables they transport.
- Mobile security patrol operatives patrol, conduct property inspections, lock and unlock premises and respond to alarms. These duties are carried out across a large portfolio of clients and a wide range of locations within a geographical area using an adapted vehicle.
- Security control room operatives oversee and co-ordinate the operational response at the location they monitor, using control room equipment or through CCTV (also known as VSS or Video Surveillance Systems). They gather intelligence, disperse relevant information, monitor lone working, manage incidents and provide an interface to other protective services including the emergency services.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the public and a broad range of other stakeholders including the organisational hierarchy, peers, clients, contractors, sub-contractors, blue light services, and enforcement agencies.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for identifying the risk of the security of people, places, property and assets to protect them from threats that intentionally or accidentally exploit vulnerabilities. They work at pace and undertake duties independently, reporting to a shift supervisor, team leader or security manager. They may work as part of a security team, and must undertake professional development to enhance their skills and understand the company security culture.
Professional security operatives are on the front line and will be ambassadors for the security profession and the business in which they work. Integrity and honesty are paramount for the industry and future career choices. They will adhere to the dress code and use personal protection equipment when required. They will be professional, courteous, calm and empathetic in all situations and treat information and details confidentially in-house and externally. They will be respectful of team members and end-users and provide a high standard of customer service.
Typical job titles include
- Alarm receiving centre operator | Alarm response officer | Cash carrying crew | Cash driver | Cctv officer | Cctv operator | Cit driver | Control centre operator | Control room operative | Cvit driver | Cvit operative | Door supervisor | Driver guard | Event security officer | First line of defence officer | Loss prevention officer | Mobile officer | Mobile response officer | Mobile security patrol operative | Multi-drop delivery driver | Relief officer | Secure driver | Security control room operative | Security guard | Security officer | Security operative | Security receptionist
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Relevant industry and operative specific regulations, legislation, guidance, and procedures (for example assignment instructions, SOPs, EOPs).
K2:
The importance of following legislation, monitoring risk, compliance, control, and the completion of legal documentation.
K3:
Impact of reputational damage for the individual, organisation, and security industry.
K4:
The security systems, applications, technology, and equipment used, how to identify faults or errors and the remedial action to take.
K5:
Organisational structure, vision, values, and business needs.
K6:
Own role within the team, the team’s role within the organisation and how it contributes to achieving organisational objectives.
K7:
Methods for identifying weapons (for examples explosive and incendiary items, firearms, bladed weapon) and other prohibited items that can cause security risks.
K8:
Emergency procedures, incidents and disruptions that may occur in a security environment and the appropriate action or reporting process to take in the event of an incident.
K9:
The movements and behaviours of people.
K10:
Awareness of working environment and areas.
K11:
Security industry regulators and associations and the role they play.
K12:
The importance of communications and its impact on customer service, the organisation (including subversive activity) and its stakeholders.
K13:
The principles, processes, and technology for controlling access into an area.
K14:
Methods to identify the needs of others and communication strategies for different situations.
K15:
How to use communication methods and technology systems to enable appropriate work and statutory information to be recorded or transmitted (for example, technology and methods for handover).
K16:
Principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion and the impact on the organisation.
K17:
The channels to communicate ideas for improvement.
K18:
How to identify suspicious items and activities, and the principles of HOT and the 4C’s.
K19:
Why items are prohibited and how to identify them.
K20:
Check calls and welfare check procedures for lone workers.
K21:
The importance of operating body worn cameras in the appropriate setting and according to organisational requirements.
K22:
Prohibited articles relevant to assignment instructions and how to deal with them.
K23:
Working securely online (including password management) and recognising suspicious communication such as email, websites, social media, pop-ups.
K24:
Negative impact of allowing certain behaviours, items or objects into certain areas and the reputational damage they may cause.
K25:
The unique threats and risks across a wide range of sites or locations.
K26:
Dynamic Risk Assessments for visits to a site or location.
K27:
Methods to mitigate gaps in physical security measures using monitoring equipment.
K28:
Internal and external factors that can affect systems/equipment performance.
K54:
Importance of checking ID cards and access credentials for control room operatives.
K55:
Importance of calibrating control room equipment.
K56:
Methods for gathering and storing images (for example CCTV, mobile device recordings, drones) for evidential use for control room operatives.
K57:
The purpose and requirements of virtually searching premises for control room operatives.
K58:
Different search methodologies, techniques, and patterns and why a search methodology may change for control room operatives.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1016: Professional security operative - Security Control Room Operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1016D
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,769 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9231 Security guards and related occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9231/99 Security guards and related occupations n.e.c.
- 9231/01 CCTV operators (excludes drain surveying)
S1:
Follow assignment instructions relevant to operational duties.
S2:
Carry out work in compliance with all regulations, guidance, legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
S3:
Use security systems, applications and software, technology and equipment in line with organisational and operational requirements.
S4:
Take action in the event of an incident, disruption, alarm activation or emergency, liaising with relevant people, escalating when necessary and recording actions and outcomes to meet guidance or organisational requirements.
S5:
Complete and maintain accurate documentation or reports to meet current legislation, guidance, or organisational requirements.
S6:
Challenge suspicious activities on or around the site and apply SCaN principles (see, check, and notify).
S7:
Deliver customer service to all stakeholders, responding to the needs of individuals.
S8:
Navigate a site plan or map of their working environment and areas.
S9:
Carry out observation of designated areas, report and record any irregularities mitigating security and safety threats.
S10:
Use digital communication applications and information management systems to communicate, learn, share, and record information.
S11:
Use personal protection equipment (PPE) correctly.
S12:
Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills (for example the 'Power of Hello’) when interacting with individuals.
S13:
Use an appropriate tone of voice in all communications that reflect the organisations or client’s values.
S14:
Contribute to review and improve the daily operating processes and procedures.
S15:
Defuse potential conflict situations.
S16:
Identify the component parts of explosive and incendiary items, firearms, and other prohibited items.
S17:
Carry out dynamic risk assessments at sites or locations.
S34:
Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, vehicles, or items) from the control room.
S35:
Apply control room access control systems, procedures, and forms of authorisation in crowded space environments or publicly accessible locations.
S36:
Scan and track assigned areas for control room to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
S37:
Deploy correct type of barrier in a control room context safely.
S38:
Identify and use components of a control room system.
S39:
Gather and store CCTV footage for evidential use.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1016: Professional security operative - Security Control Room Operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1016D
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,769 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9231 Security guards and related occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9231/99 Security guards and related occupations n.e.c.
- 9231/01 CCTV operators (excludes drain surveying)
B1:
Be vigilant, always paying close attention to detail.
B2:
Be professional, calm and positive role model to others in attitude to work.
B3:
Solution-focused displaying problem solving attributes.
B4:
Respectful to colleagues and stakeholders always.
B5:
Act reliably and responsibly.
B6:
Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence and share learning with others.
B7:
Follow employer’s or client’s code of conduct relating to behaviour, appearance and conduct.
B8:
Build appropriate working relationships and respect boundaries. Be co-operative and flexible.
B9:
Act honestly and with integrity.
Technical Educational Products
- ST1016: Professional security operative - Security Control Room Operative (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC1016D
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £28,769 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9231 Security guards and related occupations
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9231/99 Security guards and related occupations n.e.c.
- 9231/01 CCTV operators (excludes drain surveying)
