ASIS UK Joins Industry Leaders in Calling for Mandatory Business Licensing

By Farah Benis

ASIS International UK is proud to stand alongside leading security industry associations and professionals in calling for the urgent implementation of **mandatory business licensing** within the private security sector.

In a collective letter addressed to the UK Home Secretary and the Minister for Security, industry leaders, including the ASIS International UK chapter, have reinforced the need for higher standards, greater accountability, and enhanced oversight to ensure the security sector meets the challenges of today’s evolving threat landscape.

Why Business Licensing is Critical

The current regulatory framework, introduced over two decades ago, focuses solely on licensing individual security operatives rather than businesses. This leaves significant gaps in oversight, accountability, and industry-wide standards, which can lead to public safety concerns, regulatory blind spots, and financial losses for the government.

Key issues highlighted in the letter include:

Untraceable security providers – An estimated 12,000 security businesses remain off the radar of regulatory bodies such as the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and HMRC.
Serious organised crime risks – The lack of proper business oversight enables exploitation, tax evasion, and illegal activity.
Financial impact – The government loses an estimated £1 billion annually due to fraud, tax evasion, and illegal employment practices.
Public confidence and counterterrorism – Business licensing aligns with the rollout of Martyn’s Law, ensuring that security companies operating in high-risk environments meet rigorous standards.
Inconsistent standards – The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is voluntary, with fewer than 800 businesses participating, while thousands operate outside its scope without accountability.

The Role of ASIS in Driving Change

ASIS International, as the leading global organisation for security professionals, is deeply committed to advancing professionalism and best practices in the industry. As part of this collective initiative we have signed the industry-wide letter, joining a distinguished list of security leaders in urging the government to take action.

ASIS International believes that mandatory business licensing is an essential step forward, ensuring that security providers operate with the highest integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public safety. This initiative directly supports ASIS’s core mission - to elevate security standards, promote ethical business practices, and advocate for policies that enhance the safety of individuals, businesses, and communities.

What Business Licensing Would Achieve

A mandatory licensing system would:

✔ Ensure accountability – All security businesses would be held to the same high standards, eliminating gaps in oversight.
✔ Enhance public safety – Stronger regulations would prevent unqualified and unethical operators from compromising security services.
✔ Support counterterrorism efforts – Licensing businesses aligns with Martyn’s Law, reinforcing protective measures in crowded spaces.
✔ Improve industry reputation – Ensuring only reputable operators can function will increase trust and confidence in private security.
✔ Generate government revenue – A properly regulated system would boost tax contributions and prevent financial losses from illegal activities.

ASIS Stands with Industry Leaders

The security industry plays an increasingly critical role in public safety, counterterrorism, and crime prevention. ASIS is proud to stand with the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA), the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the Security Institute, IPSA, the City Security Council, and many other respected organisations and leaders who have signed this letter.

Now is the time for action. ASIS International urges the UK government to prioritise business licensing and strengthen regulations to ensure that only professional, ethical, and accountable companies operate in the security sector.

“ASIS International UK Chapter is unified in its support for the introduction of mandatory Business Licensing across the private security sector.

Rogue operators are the major contributor to the most pressing issues that blight the UK security landscape including criminality, practices that create poverty amongst large parts of our licensed officer workforce, and their families. Other factors that present significant risk of harm and increased risk to public safety. This is a pivotal moment that necessitates the coming together of all that is good in our industry.”

Darren Carter, ASIS International UK, Vice Chair

Join the Movement

ASIS encourages all security professionals to engage in this conversation, advocate for higher industry standards, and support initiatives that enhance security for all.