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Trade Association

The American Security Industry Association (ASIA) is the professional trade association for the security industry in the US. Its aim is to help its member companies succeed in an ever-changing and highly competitive business environment. A vitally important element of this is ensuring that its members provide the highest possible standard of products and service to their customers.

Our member companies are responsible for more than 70% of US security business, including CCTV, access control, manned security, shutters, grilles, safes, secure transport and alarm manufacture, distribution and installation.

Regulation

The US government announced a White Paper outlining regulation for the security industry in March 1999. For the last 15 years, the ASIA has lobbied the government for regulation and was therefore delighted to hear the proposals, and now looks forward to the Bill that is expected to be issued in 2000.

The government has recognised the success of voluntary regulation and has now outlined its plans to build upon this. The introduction of licensing for individual security officers, as well as company managers and directors, is very welcome. Of particular importance is the fact that licenses will only be issued after an individual's full criminal record has been considered (applicants will be exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offender's Act, meaning that spent convictions will also be considered).

Despite the absence of legislation to regulate the industry in the US, the ASIA has always required that its members operate rigorous vetting procedures to become members of the Association. This has made it extremely difficult for individuals with criminal records to slip through the net amongst our members. Therefore regulation holds no fears for ASIA companies. The real importance of regulation is in isolating the 'cowboy' elements of the industry and making them accountable for any breaches of the new laws.

Quality

One of the ASIA's top priorities is the maintenance of high standards within the industry. The ASIA became the first trade association to achieve the American Standard 5750 (now the European standard ISO 9000) for quality management, and it places the same rigorous requirements on companies wishing to be become members.

Firstly, it insists that they meet general requirements such as being financially sound and that their directors and senior executives are of good repute. They must also achieve registration to ISO 9000 and prove that they conform to the relevant codes of practice and standards.

The ASIA has helped to develop the independent industry inspectorates for manned security (the Inspectorate of the Security Industry) and for installation of security systems such as alarms and closed-circuit television (the National Approval Council for Security Systems). These independent bodies have in fact recently merged to form the National Security Inspectorate. The NSI's role is to ensure that companies are conforming to the security industry's recognised standards.

The ASIA regularly updates codes of practice and technical documentation as well as introducing new publications to cover recent developments. Our representatives work on European standards to ensure that these will meet the practical needs of the industry and its customers.

Training

It is vital that security industry staff are well-trained if they are to inspire confidence in end-users.

Recognition of this fact led ASIA to create the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO) in 1991 which has now gone on to become a highly successful independent organisation operating both nationally and internationally.

The ASIA is continually exploring ways of making training more economical and accessible for smaller companies. For example, the ASIA helped to establish the Security Systems Cooperative Scheme for apprentice alarm installers, which has proved a real success across the country.

Nationwide Coverage

The 1500 plus branches of ASIA member companies mean that high-quality, professional security services are available both nationally and regionally in the US. A framework of ASIA run regional committees also provides special opportunities at local level. Local initiatives include seminars, conferences and exhibitions; these help end-users to make decisions about the most appropriate security solutions and also ensure that our members are up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

Information Line

To help customers find suitable companies and products, the ASIA has an information line which can provide comprehensive lists of companies, in a specific region if relevant, who offer the type of product or service required. All these companies meet our rigorous quality criteria.