|
This article appeared in the October 2006 edition of Professional Security
The new British Standard on security screening has cut the 'security screening period' of background checking from ten to five years.
BS7858:2006 comes into effect on January 1, 2007. The current standard BS7858:2004 - which itself replaced the first, 1996 edition - is withdrawn.
According to the new document, the security screening period 'should be not less than five years; however, organisations should lengthen the security screening period to cater for contractual or legislative considerations; or specific industry standards'. By comparison, in the standard BS7858:2004 the security screening period was 'not less than 10 years immediately prior to the commencement of relevant employment'.
This revision of the standard, according to the document, takes account of the Private Security Industry Act 2001; and was drafted in consultation with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The document also covers contractors and subcontractors; the individuals employed in security screening; and keeping of records. Also offered are details from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and Data Protection Act 1998; and example forms.
The 2006 standard was written by the BSI's GW/3/9 security screening committee, chaired by Derek Smith, Business Services Director at Legion Group Plc. He is among speakers at a BSI (British Standards Institution) private security conference on October 18 and 19. And taking a seminar on the screening standard on October 4 at BSI in west London is Jonathan Grey, Managing Director of Nova Risk Management.
BS7858:2006 and other standards are for sale from BSI; and can be viewed for free from public libraries.
Visit www.bsi-global.com
|
