The industry bodies Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) and National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS) are collaborating with Nu-ology Training on counter-terrorism protective security training for university and healthcare security people.
AUCSO and NAHS members can access the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness, developed with the official UK National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and designed with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martynโs Law, in mind.
As the two membership groups point out, universities and hospitals often share estates (photo by Mark Rowe, the entrance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QE. Hence the partnership, to strengthen capability, support professional standards and help organisations prepare for Martynโs Law, which university and hospital premises come under.ย AUCSO, NAHS and Nu-ology Training, add that they’re keen to explore further opportunities to support professional development.
The Level 3 qualification equips learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding to recognise terrorist attack methodologies, assess the likelihood of threats, and identify appropriate mitigation. It also supports learners in understanding how to apply those strategies within their own operational settings, while recognising when to seek specialist advice.
Joint training sessions will be delivered by Nu-ology Training, an SFJ Awards-approved centre. Courses will be delivered regionally, with AUCSO and NAHS regional heads supporting arrangements for suitable classroom facilities. Places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with each course running for a minimum of eight and a maximum of 15 delegates. Regional delivery dates and locations will be announced shortly.
Geoff Brown, Chair, AUCSO said: โUniversity campuses are dynamic, complex environments, often operating side-by-side with healthcare, research, transport and public spaces. The new legislation reinforces the importance of robust, informed and proportionate protective security.
โThis partnership is a strong example of sectors coming together to share knowledge, build capability and support professional standards at a time when preparedness has never been more important.โ
Claire Humble, Director, Nu-ology Training, was featured in the April edition of Professional Security for her consultancy work at Canary Wharf in London Docklands. She said: โWe are proud to support this important sector collaboration. The SFJ Awards / NaCTSO Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is a critical qualification at a critical time.
โBy working with AUCSO and NAHS, we can deliver accessible, accredited training that strengthens resilience across healthcare and university environments. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to professionalisation, preparedness and public safety.โ
While the qualification does not in itself guarantee compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, it provides a structured and nationally recognised pathway for individuals and organisations seeking to build knowledge, confidence and capability in counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness.
