NSI supports World Accreditation Day 2019

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) offered its full support to World Accreditation Day 2019 (#WAD2019). A global initiative celebrating accreditation, the event (which took place on Sunday 9 June) focused on accredited bodies like the NSI adding value in supply chains. 

From a security and fire safety sector perspective, installers and service providers of security and fire safety systems and security guarding solution are a vital ‘link in the chain’ with their expertise at the point of delivery, keeping people safe, ensuring security solutions harness suitable technology and that they’re fit for purpose.

Whether it be in the design, installation and commissioning of intruder alarms, access control systems, fire detection or suppression systems and CCTV or the monitoring of myriad guarding services, Best Practice in service provision by NSI-approved companies ensures that quality solutions are delivered to customers.

World Accreditation Day marked the work underway to launch ‘IAF CertSearch’, a website designed to provide buyers with the ability to verify management systems certificates such as ISO 9001 (itself a key component of NSI’s Gold approvals). This facility will help to distinguish certificates issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as the NSI, from certificates issued by non-accredited CABs and to check the authenticity of a certificate.

Richard Jenkins, CEO at the NSI, commented: “World Accreditation Day plays an important role in promoting the value of accreditation and accredited conformity assessment. As an accredited certification body, the NSI conforms to ISO 17021-1 and ISO 17065 in the delivery of Certificates of Approval to over 1,800 approved companies operating in the UK and Eire. The worldwide system of accreditation spans economies accounting for 96% of global GDP*. The NSI is proud to play its small part in this ecosystem underpinning Best Practice, competency and consistent quality within our sector, as recognised by, among others, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Security Industry Authority, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, BAFE and industry and insurer stakeholders.”

Richard Jenkins

NSI Gold Approval combines Quality Management Systems approval ISO 9001 with specific product standards pertinent to services provided, in addition to NSI Quality Schedules and approval criteria specifically designed for the security and fire systems and guarding services sectors. The NSI adopts a ‘treat recommendations as mandatory’ stance with regard to all standards and Codes of Practice, affording buyers confidence that NSI-approved companies adhere to the latest Best Practice at all times.

For full details of the range of NSI approvals to international and British Standards and industry Codes of Practice visit www.nsi.org.uk

*Source: World Economic Forum

Arc Monitoring appoints Jo Hastings in marketing executive’s role

Arc Monitoring, the NSI Gold-approved CCTV monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre, has appointed Jo Hastings as the company’s new marketing executive.

Hastings brings five years’ worth of B2B marketing and design experience to Arc Monitoring, which was formed back in 1999. Having graduated with a BA Honours degree in Media Production at Plymouth Marjon, Hastings most recently worked at publishing company Reach plc.

Wayne Dietrich welcomes Jo Hastings to Arc Monitoring

Through time, Hastings has developed a variety of marketing skills and has particular strengths in advertising, design and social media. How, Hastings will be focusing on creating Arc Monitoring’s marketing strategy in line with the business’ strategic goals.

Commenting on her new role, Hastings informed Risk Xtra: “I’m really looking forward to working with such an innovative company and having a whole new industry to learn about. It’s an exciting time in my career to be taking on new challenges and working with the team at Arc Monitoring.”

Wayne Dietrich, business development manager at Arc Monitoring, added: “We’re really excited to welcome Jo to Arc Monitoring in this newly created role and look forward to her experience contributing to growing our customer base of professional installers across the UK. The position further compliments our ongoing investment in people and infrastructure to cement our position as the independent remote monitoring expert.”

Arc Monitoring moves to double Control Room capacity

Arc Monitoring has completed a major upgrade of its Control Room facilities. The revamp of one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent Remote Video Response Centres (RVRCs) reflects the confidence Arc Monitoring has in the continuing growth in demand for the services provided by operators within its National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold Category II Control Room.

“The boom within the construction industry, as well as a large number of solar energy farms springing up all over the UK, are just two examples of where opportunities have been created for RVRCs such as that run by Arc Monitoring to offer a cost-effective alternative to having security officers on site on a 24/7 basis,” said Jonathan Sturley, managing director of Bristol-based Arc Monitoring. “This is in addition to the demand for our services from a diverse range of other vertical markets. The significant investment we’ve made in upgrading our facilities will ensure that we’re able to continue to recruit additional high calibre operators in line with demand.”

In addition to doubling the number of workstations within its Control Room, Arc Monitoring has upgraded its IT infrastructure in order to take advantage of the latest data processing and network recording and storage technology. The business has also improved its demonstration and training facilities.

Established in 1999, Arc Monitoring partners with professional Installers across the UK. For over 18 years, the business has provided an alarm response service and remotely monitored thousands of sites across the UK.

Customers are offered free 24/7 technical advice on industry leading products such as those produced by CSL, Emizon, WebWay and Digital Communicators by Arc Monitoring’s in-house technical experts and field-based pre-sales team.