BSIA strengthens commitment to quality with ISO upgrade

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has passed an audit to achieve certification to the new ISO 9001:2015 quality standard.

Revised in 2015 the standard aims to ensure quality management is integrated into an organisation’s day-to-day operations. The standard covers all elements of business strategy, with continuous improvement, to meet customers’ needs.

Kirstie Anwyl-Hughes, quality manager at the BSIA, says: “The revised ISO 9001 standard has introduced several new elements, such as a greater emphasis on risk-based thinking to reinforce the use of the management system as a governance tool and an emphasis on a greater involvement by the leadership team.”

To ensure compliance, the BSIA has had to undertake a comprehensive review of its entire quality management system.

According to the British Standards Institution’s website, the changes to ISO 9001 were made because “business has changed radically since the last major revision in 2000… [but] one thing remains constant: to be successful, businesses have to adapt to meet the growing needs of customers. ISO was originally written with the customer in mind and that remains the priority for 9001.”

Important focus

Anwyl-Hughes says raising quality standards in the security industry is an important focus of the BSIA, which expects its own members to be certified to a range of industry standards, including ISO 9001.

“As such, we are pleased to be leading the way in the adoption of the revised standard,” she says.

The BSIA – through its new probationer membership scheme – also provides advice and assistance to security companies wishing to obtain ISO 9001:2015.

The BSIA represents the entire security industry and value chain, from CCTV to security guarding, to security equipment manufacturers and installers of electronic security systems that serve a range of industries and sectors.

The BSIA is a longstanding and valued partner of, and exhibitor at, IFSEC International, Europe’s biggest fire and security trade show – taking place 20-22 June 2017, London ExCeL. Get your free badge now.

Listen to the IFSEC Insider podcast!

Each month, the IFSEC Insider (formerly IFSEC Global) Security in Focus podcast brings you conversations with leading figures in the physical security industry. Covering everything from risk management principles and building a security culture, to the key trends ahead in tech and initiatives on diversity and inclusivity, the podcast keeps security professionals up to date with the latest hot topics in the sector.

Available online, and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, tune in for an easy way to remain up to date on the issues affecting your role.

Listen to the podcast today