Suppliers often make claims about the quality of their products but it is advisable to be cautious about what is claim and what is fact, says the British Security Industry Association.
To help purchasers select the right products and services for their security needs, the BSIA produces guidance material on a range of issues. New additions to this include guidance on how to dispose of confidential information in compliance with the Data Protection Act. Many organisations still fail to comply with this legislation, with over 440 complaints about the illegal handling of confidential data made in the financial year 2001-2002 and more than 100 prosecutions made. Non-compliance can ultimately lead to a business being shut down. The BSIA has produced an online guide at www.bsia.co.uk/bsia_destruct.taf
The BSIA is working in partnership with the Loss Prevention Certification Board and Secured by Design to produce a series of guides on standards for physical security equipment. Two titles are now available, covering standards for doors and windows, and standards for computers. They detail the established security standards in each area and explain which standards are designed for different levels of risk. Forthcoming titles will cover standards for walls and roofs; and cash, jewellery and document protection. Download at www.bsia.co.uk/download.html
Register update
The association has updated its Register of Physical Security Products. The Register, first launched in 2000, provides assurance of the quality, integrity and performance of selected physical security products. It does this by giving a description of each product, its specification and the type of product testing it has undergone, in order to prove that it can perform to the level the manufacturer claims. The register can be downloaded at www.bsia.co.uk/download.html
