Security Standards

We understand the importance of meeting certain compliance standards for particular industries, and we provide tailored screening solutions to support these obligations. Below is a list of just some of the security standards which we help our clients meet on a daily basis.

HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard

The BPSS was created to help mitigate the risk of identity fraud, reduce the number of illegal workers, and to protect national security. The BPSS outlines the pre-employment background checks that all civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff and government contractors must undergo before they are granted access to government assets.

Sterling’s HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard employment screening package is in accordance with the recommended checks, and includes the following:

• Basic Criminal Disclosure
• ID Verification
• Right to Work Verification
• 3 Year Employment & Activity Verification
• Character Reference

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard

PCI DSS is a set of 12 requirements that companies handling credit card information must follow. It was developed to ensure customers’ payment data is secure and protected and is enforced through annual audits. All organisations that hold, process, or exchange cardholder information from the following brands must comply with the standard: American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard, and Visa. Organisations that choose not to comply face a range of penalties, including large fines. Among the PCI DSS requirements are recommendations for screening individuals who have access to customer payment data. The following background checks are recommended:

• Basic Criminal Disclosure with ID Verification
• Credit Enquiry (including six-year address and electoral roll verification, County Court Judgements, Administration Orders, Insolvencies, and Voluntary Arrangements)
• Employment & Activity Verification of the last two employers (at a minimum)

British Standard 7858:2012

The British Standards Institution’s revisions to the Code of Practice relating to the Security Screening of Individuals Employed in a Security Environment (BS7858:2012) were published in October 2012 and came into effect on May 1st, 2013, replacing BS7858:2006+A2:2009. These recommendations pertain to the screening of individuals who will be employed in an environment where the security and safety of people, goods or property is a requirement of the employing organisation and/or where such security screening is in the public interest.

BS7858 is considered best practice as a minimum standard for a wide range of organisations in industries where specific screening and vetting regulations are not mandated.

Sterling’s Standard BS 7858:2012 service meets the mandatory requirements for those working within the security industry and includes the following services:

• Basic Criminal Disclosure
• Credit Bureau Enquiry and ID Verification
• Entitlement to Work in the UK Document Verification
• 5/10 Year Employment & Activity Verification
• Character Reference
• International Passport Verification
• Public Safety Verification (Financial Sanctions check)