With the continued increase in both physical and digital threats, businesses have no choice but to prioritise security on a global level. All businesses, whatever their size, will be expected by their customers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to have a well-established trustworthiness, reliability, and adherence to all applicable laws and regulations. That’s why partnering with a trusted security‑certification and compliance firm is not a “nice to have”; it’s a necessity.
At BizGrow Holdings, we believe that robust certification and compliance frameworks safeguard your reputation, open doors to high‑value contracts, and lock in long‑term success for your business.
What follows is a discussion of the importance of leading security provider businesses, the types of credentials that should be held by these providers, the key security standards and certifications that every business needs, and how BizGrow Holdings can help navigate the complex certification landscape of the security industry.
Why Choosing a Trusted Security Certification Partner Matters?
The Growing Demand for Verified Security Services
- The UK security sector is expanding: as of this year, there are over 11,010 registered enterprises operating in security and investigation services, a growth compared to last year.
- At the same time, the UK private security services market size is substantial, and demand remains high, driven by rising concerns over safety, compliance, and risk management.
- With increasing regulation and client scrutiny, having proper certification rather than informal accreditation is now a baseline expectation for businesses: in security, construction, compliance consultancy, and beyond.
Building Trust with Recognition Through Certification
When working with your clients, regulatory bodies, and business partners, they will often prefer to engage with a security provider that has obtained a recognised certification. Engaging a security provider with a certification demonstrates that the provider’s processes, systems, and people meet the generally accepted standards recognised by industry experts. A certified company demonstrates:
- Consistent quality and safety standards
- Regulatory compliance and legal eligibility
- Reliable management processes and record‑keeping
- Capability to win high‑value and compliance-heavy contracts
In short, certification transforms perception from “maybe safe” to “verified and trustworthy”.
Without Certification, Businesses Risk Barriers to Growth
Without the right credentials, companies may struggle to:
- Get pre-qualified for large tenders/contracts
- Meet compliance requirements for safety, security, environment, or quality standards
- Convince clients, insurers, and stakeholders of credibility
- Protect themselves legally from liability and reputational damage
That’s why top security‑certification companies exist: to guide businesses through the formalities and enable them to operate confidently and competitively.
Essential Certifications for All Business Security Providers
BizGrow Holdings has partnered with many certification bodies to provide businesses with certification levels for several types of compliance, safety, quality, environmental and security standards. Below are some certifications we recommend based on your company’s service and needs:
Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
- As a security company based in the UK, this is a critical certification needed to establish credibility.
- The Approved Contractor Scheme assures clients and regulators that your security services, such as guarding, close protection and operational security management, meet prescribed security industry standards for training, recruitment, operational compliance and holding corporate responsibility, among other things.
CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)
- CHAS certification confirms that your company maintains rigorous health and safety standards, protecting both employees and clients.
- This is particularly important for businesses involved in guarding, construction‑adjacent security, site supervision, or physical security services.
SafeContractor
- For organisations bidding on high‑value contracts, whether security, facilities, or contractor‑based, SafeContractor accreditation verifies compliance with health & safety, risk, and legal requirements.
- This certification enhances credibility in procurement, contract applications, and partnership deals.
COP119
- A crucial certification for security‑focused companies, demonstrating compliance with standard security procedures and best‑practice protocols.
- Holds weight when applying for security contracts that require formal compliance credentials.
NASDU & SMAS
- Ideal for organisations that provide specialised security or safety services, particularly those operating in higher-risk or more hazardous worksites, such as construction sites, industrial environments and secure facility premises.
- By providing NASDU and SMAS certifications, your organisation can demonstrate its professionalism, auditing practices and qualification as suitable to perform specialised works.
Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials Plus
- As cyber threats rise, digital security becomes as important as physical security. Cyber Essentials demonstrates basic cybersecurity hygiene; Cyber Essentials Plus offers more rigorous external testing and validation.
- For businesses dealing with sensitive data, client information, security‑systems management or offering managed security services, this certification offers strong assurance to clients and regulators.
BS 10800
- A structured standard for security management is ideal for organisations aiming for consistency, process maturity, and compliance with national security standards.
- Useful for security‑service businesses seeking long‑term reliability and official recognition.
ISO Certification (Examples include ISO9001, ISO14001, iso45001)
- ISO certifications are not a requirement for most Security Service Providers (SSPs), but their value can be significant. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 indicate an organisation’s commitment to quality (ISO9001), environmental protection (ISO14001) and workplace safety/health (ISO45001).
- By obtaining these ISO certifications, SSPs can attract larger organisations and potential clients, as many of these types of companies are looking for more than just a provider of security. They want a holistic approach.
Constructionline (for contractor‑based security and compliance services)
If your services intersect with construction, facilities management, or contract‑based safety/security, being registered on Constructionline showcases pre‑qualification, compliance, and readiness for contract bidding.
BizGrow Holdings Assists Security Companies in Obtaining Certifications
Achieving certifications can be daunting and may take much time to complete. BizGrow Holdings offers an easy-to-follow, comprehensive system for obtaining your certifications that includes всех steps.
- Consulting/Advising: We evaluate your company and recommend the proper certification based on the products/services you provide and the type of contracts you want to pursue, and we determine the route you will take to become certified.
- Document Preparation: We assist in the completion of all documents necessary to express or demonstrate compliance with the standards required for certification or accreditation, including, but not restricted to, policies and procedures that demonstrate compliance with the standards described above, and certificates of compliance from third parties.
- Audit Preparation and Readiness: We assist your company in preparing for the required audits by screening and performing the required internal audits to prepare for the requirement to pass audit.
- Multiple certifications: For those companies wishing to obtain multiple certifications (i.e. ACS + Cyber Essentials + BS 10800), we will coordinate and manage the process to minimise disruptions and maximise efficiencies in obtaining their required certifications.
- Continuing Support after Certification: After obtaining certification, the company will have the ability and knowledge to continue to maintain their quality, adhere to the standards, inform the Company of updates and renewals, as well as be prepared for audits and/or the award of contracts.
The combination of these services can save both significant amounts of time and lessen the stress of preparing and completing their certifications, while also making their certification a strategic advantage.
Common Gaps & How We Help You Avoid Them
Many businesses attempt to self-certify or follow informal compliance practices, but this often leads to problems:
- Incomplete or informal documentation fails audits.
- Lack of consistent standards across the workforce, especially when subcontracting, leads to liability and compliance risks.
- Overlapping compliance requirements (e.g. health & safety, cybersecurity, quality), handling them separately can create inefficiency.
- Failure to maintain standards post‑audit results in lost certifications or being barred from contract bids.
At BizGrow Holdings, we can help businesses close the gaps by:
- Creating a single framework that combines multiple compliance standards;
- Help businesses create the documentation necessary to be fully compliant, ready for an audit and scalable; and
- Offer continuous support, including maintaining standards, renewing certifications and managing compliance proactively.
- Ultimately, we can help businesses create a brand as a reliable, trustworthy and certified supplier, thus providing them with a distinct competitive edge over other companies.
Real-Life Advantages for a Certified Security Company
Companies that understand that Certification shouldn’t be seen as just additional requirements but as a big opportunity, benefit in many ways:
- Having access to some of the highest value Contracts & Tender opportunities. Many large clients are both public and private, and only use certified contractors (ACS, CHAS, SafeContractor, etc.).
- Increased Trust from Clients & Stakeholders, resulting in repeat business & referrals.
- Reduced Risk and Liability; compliance with all legal, safety and regulatory requirements.
- Operational Consistency and Quality Management, resulting in reduced incidents, improved management of employees, and enhanced Reputation.
- Competitive Advantage; in the majority of sectors where compliance is required/preferred over non-certified providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do all security companies need ACS certification?
A: If you provide guarding or security services in the UK, ACS is highly recommended and often required to ensure compliance and credibility.
Q: Can small companies get multiple certifications?
A: Yes. BizGrow Holdings helps businesses of all sizes obtain and manage multiple certifications like ACS, CHAS, and Cyber Essentials.
Q: How long does certification take?
A: It varies by certification and documentation readiness, but most businesses complete it within weeks to a few months.
Q: Are cybersecurity certifications important for security companies?
A: Yes. Handling sensitive data makes Cyber Essentials crucial for trust and protection against rising cyber threats.
Q: Do certifications require renewals or audits?
A: Yes. Most need periodic renewals or audits. BizGrow Holdings provides post-certification support to keep you compliant.
Final Thoughts
The importance of being regarded as a credible security company, through the accreditation of security companies such as ACS, CHAS, Cyber Essentials, BS 10800 and numerous other compliance standards within a rapidly changing and evolving security environment, cannot be overstated; achieving the necessary credentials to establish credibility, generate revenue and achieve sustainable, long-term growth are all attributes that an organisation can possess.
BizGrow Holdings does not simply help clients achieve the necessary accreditation; we help clients create a sustainable and compliance-focused structure that will provide a defined competitive edge over peer organisations, regardless of whether you are a small business or a large corporation. We offer an extensive range of consulting, documentation preparation, audit preparation and post-accreditation services to help clients develop compliance as a viable competitive advantage.
If you’re ready to elevate your security business, win more contracts, and build trust with clients and stakeholders, get in touch, and let’s start your certification journey together.