Carlisle Backing the SIA’s Business Approval Scheme to Build Smarter, Safer Security Practices

As one of the UK’s leading Security providers, Carlisle takes its corporate responsibility very seriously, and recognises the part both we and you, as our clients, can play in continuing to enhance public protection. As we know Security plays a role in almost every part of daily life. The environments that Security Officers protect are changing, the threats we face are evolving, and expectations from both businesses and the public have never been higher, so too must the standards that guide the industry.

To cater for the growing demands, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is developing its approach through the new Business Approval Scheme (BAS), marking a new chapter for security industry.

For nearly two decades, the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) has been the benchmark for quality in the private security sector. Introduced in 2006, it gave buyers confidence that approved suppliers could be trusted to deliver. The BAS will build on that legacy and go further, creating a more adaptable, transparent, better aligned, and trusted model that benefits both clients and the public while catering for today’s challenges.

At its heart, BAS is about public protection, trust, and adaptability to industry changes. Buyers will have a clearer way to identify businesses that meet high standards, and the public will have greater assurance that those responsible for their safety are operating with accountability. For businesses, approval under BAS will mean more than compliance. The refreshed scheme signals credibility, strengthens client confidence, and provides a competitive edge. It also sets out a framework that helps firms benchmark themselves against best practice and lift standards across the board.

Security providers will be able to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability in a way that resonates with both clients and stakeholders. Simply put, BAS is all about helping security providers succeed by doing things right.

Carlisle is proud to play a role in supporting the rollout of BAS. We’re working with the SIA to make sure BAS is shaped not in isolation, but with input from across industries. Security looks different in a retail environment compared to a train station, a hospital, or an events arena, and BAS needs to reflect that diversity. That’s why we want to extend our help to the SIA by reaching a wider client audience from diverse sectors. Each sector brings unique challenges and insights, and their voices are essential in building and refining the scheme that reflects the real needs of businesses and communities.

This collaborative approach is what will make the BAS different. The SIA is also running Focus Groups, managed separately, inviting client stakeholders to gather industry perspectives and ensure BAS reflects real-world needs.

Meetings are designed to be practical and inclusive, kept bi-monthly so that the buyers and users of security can contribute and help shape the future of security standards in the UK. Whilst BAS will be one of the topics covered they are also keen to allow buyers to use the forum to feedback on all matters relating to the SIA and the wider security landscape.

The next Buyers Focus Group will meet remotely on 8^th of October 2025, marking another important milestone on the road to the full launch of BAS within next two years. We are encouraging organisations to get involved if they believe they can help shape the future of the sector. To this please email mike.white@sia.gov.uk and we will make sure you are offered the chance to be involved.

We believe it is an opportunity to connect the buyer communities across the industry, share expertise, and make sure the security standards of tomorrow are robust, inclusive, and future-ready. Together, we can raise the bar, strengthen public protection, and build a scheme that works for businesses and communities alike.