The security sector comprises people and companies mainly engaged in providing security, protection and private enquiry services – other than units of police forces and government security agencies. The sector covers a wide range of occupations, products and services. These can be categorised into three broad areas:
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Electronic – Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and surveillance, access control, video and audio intercom systems, integrated security and fire systems, home automation, building management systems; biometrics, alarms and alarm monitoring
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Manpower – crowd control, airport security, guard services, mobile patrols, concierge duties, traffic management, emergency response, cash-in-transit services and risk assessments
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Physical and barrier security – locksmiths, perimeter fencing, security grilles, bollards and boom gates; safes and records protection.
The sector is regulated by registration and/or licensing in all states and territories. Contact details for further information on the licensing and registration arrangements that apply to occupations in the security sector may be found in the CPP07 Training Package.
The security sector has invested heavily in the development of competency-based training in recent years with nationally endorsed units of competency and a Training Package first implemented in 1998. The sector incorporates five related areas of industry that were represented within the PRS03 Asset Security Training Package. These are:
Biometrics
Biometrics is a new area within VET. The biometrics units of competency and skill sets cover the outcomes and critical functions and activities required to assess, implement and monitor biometric systems within a security context in Australia. Biometrics involves the study of the physical characteristics of a person to ultimately distinguish one person exclusively from all others. Techniques include:
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fingerprint (analysing the pattern on a fingertip)
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hand geometry (analysing the shape of the hand)
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ear shape recognition (analysing the shape of the ear)
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retina (analysing the layer of blood vessels situated at the back of the eye)
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iris recognition (analysing the patterns in the coloured ring of tissue that surrounds the pupil)
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facial recognition (where the distances between facial features is measured and the thermal pattern caused by blood-flow in the face analysed)
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body odour recognition (where body odours are analysed by recognising the mixture of volatile chemicals given off by an individual)
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speaker verification (where individuals are recognised by patterns evident in the way that they speak)
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DNA analysis (where genetic information is used to determine a person’s physical characteristics of a person)
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signature verification (where the shape of a signature and the pressure and style used in making it are analysed)
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acoustic emission analysis (listens to the sounds emitted as a person makes a signature and uses that acoustic signature to identify an individual).
The updated biometrics units of competency within the CPP07 Training Package are contained within qualifications for security operations, technical security, and security and risk management across AQF levels Certificate II to Diploma. This includes a skill set ‘Provide Biometrics Consulting and Advice’ which meets industry requirements for specialist biometrics security consultants and advisors working within security operations.
Security operations
Security operations includes qualifications from Certificate I to III covering functions such as crowd control, guarding and personal protection, airport security and screening, dog handling, mobile patrols, monitoring centre and control room operations, concierge duties, and cash-in-transit services. Security operations also includes key units of competency for firearms and defensive tactics covering the carriage and use of firearms and associated weapons of restraint, namely batons, handcuffs and capsicum spray, by private security agents and guards.
The qualifications structure for security operations centres around three key units of competency covering the most critical functions for security operatives:
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identify and report security risk situation (Certificate I)
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respond to security risk situation (Certificate II)
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determine response to security risk situation (Certificate III).
The entry level qualification at Certificate I has, in the past, been under-utilised. This is mainly due to licensing and regulatory requirements which determine that Certificate II is the minimum level for a security worker to be operational or ‘on the job’. This has been addressed in CPP07 Property Services Training Package through the restructuring of the qualification to include nine new elective units of competency covering key underpinning knowledge areas which can also be packaged at the Certificate II level:
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identify and report security risk situations
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apply retail security procedures
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apply security procedures for the responsible service of alcohol
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apply health care security procedures
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apply critical infrastructure protection procedures
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apply x-ray image interpretation procedures
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apply walk through metal detection procedures
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apply hand-held metal detection procedures
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apply Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) procedures.
The new Certificate I qualification offers for the first time, a pre-vocational qualification which provides critical underpinning knowledge which can be applied on-the-job using higher AQF qualifications for security operations. This includes new units focusing specifically on the application of security procedures using specialist screening equipment within an aviation environment.
In addition, the CPP07 Property Services Training Package incorporates a number of skill sets for security operations covering monitoring centre operations, and services related to the conduct of surveillance and investigations and biometrics consulting.
Investigative services
Investigative services functions are covered by a Certificate III qualification that includes competencies in both factual investigation and surveillance areas. In addition, four new skills sets are available for investigations, factual investigation, surveillance and higher level functions relating to coordinating investigations.
Security and risk management
Security and risk management functions are covered by two qualifications at the Certificate IV and Diploma levels. Security and risk management units of competency have been revised to account for the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and guidelines and the Standards Australia Security Risk Management Handbook (HB 167:2006 Security Risk Management). These provide both the Australian Standard for security risk management processes, and guidance for ensuring those processes are firmly grounded on the principles determined by the Standard.
Technical security
Technical security functions are covered by two qualifications at the Certificate II and III levels that focus on the sale and installation of security equipment.
