BS 7858:2006 British Standard

Security Screening Of Individuals Employed In A Security Environment - Code Of Practice

This British Standard 7858 was first published in June 1996 having been prepared at the request of users and providers of security services.  The BS7858 standard underwent a three-year revision and industry consultation that culminated in the second edition (2004) being issued in March 2004.  The BS 7858 standard underwent a further revision during 2005 with industry consultation that culminated in the third edition (2006) being issued in August 2006.  With the stringent rules, applying thereto it is considered an ideal model for use in other areas where an individual's background is of paramount importance.

The BS7858:2006 Standard is subject to copyright but the salient points are abridged as follows:

Scope

"This British Standard gives recommendations for the security screening of individuals to be employed in an environment where the security and safety of people, goods or property is a requirement of the employing organisation's operation and/or where such security screening is in the public interest."

General

"The organisation should not employ individuals whose career or history indicates that they would be unlikely to resist the opportunities for illicit personal gain, or the possibilities of being compromised or the opportunities for creating any other breach of security, which such employment might offer."

Provision of Information

“All individuals applying for relevant employment and all existing employees transferring to relevant employment from other duties should be required to sign the form declaration and to provide the following.”

1. Proof of identity and address of residence
2. Details of their education, employment, periods of self-employment throughout the security screening period
3. The names of two individuals with personal knowledge of the individual been security screened who would act as Character Referees. The Character Referees should not be relatives through blood or marriage or reside at the same address as the individual being security screened
4. Detail of all cautions or convictions for criminal offences, subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
5. Details of all bankruptcy and court judgments.

Security Screening period

"Period of years immediately prior to the commencement of relevant employment or transfer to relevant employment, or back to the age of 12 it this date is more recent."

Period allowed for completion of security screening

"Security screening covering the whole of the security-screening period should be completed: for 5 years security screening, not later than 12 weeks after employment (i.e. provisional employment) has commenced or, for a longer period, not later than 16 weeks after employment (i.e. provisional employment) ha commenced.”

Provisional employment

"Initial period of employment for a new individual during which security screening is continuing.”

Continuous record of career and history

"The organisation should establish by direct reference to former employers, government, educational authorities, etc., with confirmation from them in writing, details of education, employment, periods of self-employment, unemployment and gaps in employment of the individual being security screened for the whole of the security screening period on a month-to-month basis."

Character References