National Security Inspectorate

As the leading specialist certification body operating in the security systems, security services and fire safety sectors, our mission is to ensure the highest standards of safety and security through independent and expert audit of Approved Companies. Our fully qualified, specialist auditors and head office team are passionate about what they do and what NSI approval stands for.

Any NSI approved company will explain the spectrum of choice from simple alarm systems with an audible (alarm) warning and visual deterrent, to more sophisticated systems which can summon a Police response. These include those that incorporate CCTV robustly connected to Alarm Receiving Centres (ARC) 24/7 remote monitoring services ensuring Police response at all times. State of the art solutions include stand-by power options and always connected dedicated multi path alarm signal transmission. Many solutions provide the add-on of internet-enabled phone app alerts with varying degrees of resilience and security.

The sophistication of your camera system including security of image storage, retrieval and remote monitoring and even Police response, depends on your precise needs. Your NSI approved installer can explain the choices available to meet your exact requirements and quote accordingly. NSI companies approved to design, install, commission and maintain CCTV surveillance systems must comply with NSI's Code of Practice NCP 104. By choosing an independently approved company working to the rigorous requirements of NCP 104 you can be assured of an expert assessment of security risks and operational needs along with a detailed design proposal to ensure your exacting individual needs can be met.

Making sure your home is as protected and safe as possible from intruders could not be more important. Access control reduces risk and increases the safety of your family by allowing you to manage and monitor who can come in to your home. Ask for an access control system that complies with NSI Code of Practice NCP 109 and make sure you receive an NSI Certificate of Compliance along with the user instructions. There are a variety of product designs and levels of sophistication as requirements can vary.

Access control systems in the workplace enable operators to safely secure a building or area. The design of the system takes into consideration various aspects e.g. the number of access points, the level of security required at each access point, when access is required, what controls are to be put in place, whether the access points are internal or external, whether video surveillance tools are required and if so where monitoring and control rooms are located. Additionally access control systems can record an individual's whereabouts within an area to allow a full manifest of persons in an area to be provided for accountability purposes should an emergency evacuation occur.

Keyholding covers a wide range of services dependent upon your specific requirements. These include responding to an alarm activation, letting in the plumber and routine checks of your property whilst you are on holiday or extended absences. Take the worry out of leaving your home unattended by using the services of a trusted keyholding company operating to professional industry standards, with the appropriate level of indemnity insurance. You can be assured a professional will be on hand to respond in your absence.

If you are the owner or occupier of a non-domestic building you have a legal obligation to protect your staff and visitors. A life safety fire risk assessment not only makes perfect sense as a first step in fire safety, it's also a legal requirement. Your premises may be best protected by a fire detection and alarm system, portable fire extinguishers, a gaseous suppression system and/or an emergency lighting system. Systems installed and maintained by NSI approved companies will be covered by an NSI Certificate of Compliance as evidence that they meet the needs and risks of the premises at the time of installation.

Fit for purpose CCTV, Access Control and Intruder Alarm systems are designed and installed following on from a comprehensive risk and needs analysis of a workplace. NSI approved companies will always conduct a security risk assessment of the environment and/or premises concerned and document the results. A risk assessment is particularly important when your insurance cover is dependent on your property being protected by an intruder alarm. In this case, your installer can liaise with the insurer to see if they have any particular requirements in respect of grading and design.

NSI approved companies provide a wide range of security services including security guarding, door supervision, event stewarding, private investigation, cash and valuables in transit, key holding, CCTV operation, security dog services, close protection and covert services. Those approved companies operating in the licensable sectors of security guarding, key holding, cash and valuables in transit, door supervision, public space surveillance CCTV and close protection must hold an appropriate SIA licence.

Intruder alarms (burglar alarms) are a visible deterrent making potential intruders think twice before acting, as well as sounding the alarm and/or notifying a remote centre when someone has broken into a property. Intruder alarm systems are typically either 'bells only audible alarms' or 'remotely monitored alarms' with either a key holder only or Police response. In many cases more modern solutions also provide Internet based phone apps which send alerts to your phone and allow you to control the alarm system from a remote location.