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Managing Editor, IFSEC Insider

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James Moore is the Managing Editor of IFSEC Insider, the leading online publication for security and fire news in the industry. James writes, commissions, edits and produces content for IFSEC Insider, including articles, breaking news stories and exclusive industry reports. He liaises and speaks with leading industry figures, vendors and associations to ensure security and fire professionals remain abreast of all the latest developments in the sector.
September 10, 2021

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Counter-terror

Counter-terrorism e-learning module launched by the SIA as MI5 warns of potential “emboldened” terrorists following events in Afghanistan

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Security e-learning module, which has been developed in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

City-TerrorismThreat-20The terror threat level remains at ‘Substantial’ in the UK at the time of writing, meaning an attack is ‘Likely’. The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, highlighted to the BBC today however that the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban is likely to have “emboldened” terrorists and potentially given them a “morale boost”, meaning the UK should be vigilant for a rise in activity.

Mr McCallum also added that there had been a total of 31 late-stage attack plots that have been foiled in the past four years – six of which were during the pandemic.

Though there might not be an immediate change “overnight” in terror plots, he noted events in Afghanistan may provide a “psychological boost, a morale boost to extremists already here, or in other countries”.

The ACT Security e-learning module

Though not directly linked to MI5’s announcement, the new e-learning module from the SIA clearly comes at a pertinent time. Designed for frontline security operatives, ACT Security is a free, custom-built training module that is said to provide up-to-date counter-terrorism knowledge to help professionals prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents while on duty.

The course will take around 1 hour 15 mins and its flexible delivery will allow the user to pause and save progress. This new ACT Security e-learning course follows a successful pilot in August 2021 that included security businesses and operatives.

Paul Fullwood, Director of Inspections and Enforcement, SIA said: “The security industry plays a vital role in public protection. We’ve been working closely with counter-terrorism experts within the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure to develop specialised e-learning for the security industry.

“ACT Security will provide operatives with greater knowledge and confidence to detect, deter, or disrupt potential terrorist activity. We urge all security operatives to take this free specialised training to enhance their skills to combat the threat of terrorism.”

When taken with ACT Awareness e-learning, the new training covers the entire counter-terrorism content for the licence-linked qualifications and top-up training.

There are five modules that cover:

  • the role of a security operative in counter terrorism
  • current terrorist attack methods
  • identifying and responding to suspicious activity
  • incident response planning
  • responding to a terrorist incident

Security professionals can take the training as follows:

  1. Send an email to mailto:[email protected]with the subject “PIN request for ACT e-learning”. The SIA will reply with a PIN
  2. Go to the ACT e-learning site
  3. Enter the PIN sent by the SIA when asked for an access/PIN code.

More information is available here from the SIA website.

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