What is ISO 18788:2015 Management System for Private Security Operations?

ISO 18788:2015-Management system for private security operations is specifically designed for private security operations. This standard provides a framework for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving the management of private security operations. It focuses on ensuring that organizations operating in the private security industry conduct their activities in a professional and ethical manner, respecting human rights and legal obligations.

The standard outlines requirements for a security operations management system (SOMS) to ensure consistency in the quality of service, the protection of clients’ and consumers’ rights, and the assurance of safety and security operations in compliance with legal and voluntary obligations. ISO 18788:2015 is applicable to all sizes and types of organizations operating in the private security industry sector worldwide.

Key Components of ISO 18788:2015

• Context of the Organization: Understanding the internal and external factors that affect its objectives and how its management system is structured.
• Leadership and Commitment: Top management’s roles in leading and supporting the security operations management system.
• Planning: Addressing risks and opportunities, setting security operations objectives, and planning to achieve them.
• Support: Resources, competencies, awareness, communication, and documented information that support the management system.
• Operation: Planning, implementing, and controlling the processes needed to meet security service requirements.
• Performance Evaluation: Monitoring, measurement, analysis, evaluation, internal audit, and management review of the SOMS.
• Improvement: Identifying nonconformities, taking corrective actions, and continual improvement of the SOMS.

How Pacific Certifications Can Assist in Achieving ISO 18788 Certification

Pacific Certifications can provide comprehensive support and guidance to companies looking to achieve ISO 18788 certification. Here’s how:

• Gap Analysis: Pacific Certifications can conduct a thorough analysis to identify gaps between your current operations and the requirements of ISO 18788:2015. This helps in understanding the areas that need improvement before formal assessment.
• Training: We offer tailored training programs for your team on the ISO 18788:2015 standard, focusing on understanding the requirements and how to implement them effectively within your organization.
• Documentation Support: Assisting in the development of the necessary documentation that meets the standard’s requirements, including policies, procedures, and records that demonstrate effective management of private security operations.
• Implementation Assistance: Guiding the implementation of the standard’s requirements into your organization’s processes, ensuring that the security operations management system is effectively integrated into your business operations.
• Internal Audits: Conducting internal audits to assess the SOMS against the ISO 18788:2015 standards, identifying areas for improvement, and helping to address them before the certification audit.
• Certification Audit: Once ready, we can conduct the formal certification audit, assessing your organization’s SOMS against the ISO 18788:2015 requirements. Upon successful completion, your organization will be awarded the ISO 18788 certification.
• Continual Improvement: After certification, we can provide ongoing support to ensure that your organization continues to meet the requirements and improves over time, including surveillance audits to maintain the certification.

Achieving ISO 18788:2015-Management system for private security operations certification with the assistance of Pacific Certifications can enhance your organization’s reputation, demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and provide a competitive advantage by ensuring the highest standards of operation in the private security industry.

Requirements of ISO 18788:2015 – Management System for Private Security Operations

ISO 18788:2015 sets forth a series of requirements designed to establish, implement, maintain, and improve a Management System for Private Security Operations (SOMS). These requirements are structured to be applicable across various legal, cultural, and organizational environments. Here’s a breakdown of the core requirements of ISO 18788:2015 certification:

1. Context of the Organization

• Understanding the Organization and Its Context: Analyze external and internal issues relevant to the purpose and strategic direction that affect the ability to achieve intended results.
• Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties: Identify individuals or organizations that could impact or be impacted by the SOMS and determine their requirements.
• Determining the Scope of the SOMS: Define the boundaries and applicability of the SOMS, considering the organization’s objectives and commitments.
• Management System: Establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a SOMS.

2. Leadership

• Leadership and Commitment: Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the SOMS, ensuring integration into business processes, providing resources, and promoting continual improvement.
• Policy: Develop a security operations policy that is appropriate to the purpose of the organization, providing a framework for setting objectives.
• Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities: Clearly define and communicate the roles, responsibilities, and authorities within the organization.

3. Planning

• Actions to Address Risks and Opportunities: Plan actions to address these risks and opportunities, integrating them into the SOMS processes and evaluating their effectiveness.
• Security Operations Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them: Set measurable objectives at relevant functions and levels, planning actions to achieve these objectives within the SOMS.

4. Support

• Resources: Determine and provide necessary resources for the SOMS.
• Competence: Ensure personnel are competent based on education, training, or experience.
• Awareness: Make individuals aware of the policy, their contribution to the effectiveness of the SOMS, and the implications of not conforming.
• Communication: Determine internal and external communications relevant to the SOMS.
• Documented Information: Maintain and retain documented information necessary for the effectiveness of the SOMS.

5. Operation

• Operational Planning and Control: Plan, implement, and control processes needed to meet service requirements, managing changes effectively.
• Management of Changes: Ensure changes affecting the SOMS are carried out in a controlled manner.

6. Performance Evaluation

• Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, and Evaluation: Determine what needs to be monitored and measured, methods for monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation.
• Internal Audit: Conduct internal audits at planned intervals to provide information on whether the SOMS conforms to the organization’s own requirements for its security operations management system.
• Management Review: Top management must review the organization’s SOMS at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, effectiveness, and alignment with the strategic direction.

7. Improvement

• Nonconformity and Corrective Action: React to nonconformities and take action to control and correct them, dealing with the consequences and evaluating the need for action to eliminate the causes.
• Continual Improvement: Continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the SOMS.

Achieving ISO 18788:2015 certification involves demonstrating compliance with these requirements through a systematic approach to managing and continuously improving security operations. This certification is essential for organizations in the private security industry looking to establish credibility and assure clients of their commitment to professional, ethical, and quality service delivery.

Benefits of ISO 18788:2015 – Management System for Private Security Operations

ISO 18788:2015 certification offers numerous benefits to organizations within the private security sector by establishing a framework for a management system for private security operations. This standard emphasizes ethical conduct, operational control, risk management, and the protection of human rights, among other critical aspects. Here are some of the key benefits of implementing and obtaining ISO 18788:2015 certification:

• Enhanced Reputation and Competitive Advantage: Certification to ISO 18788 demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing high-quality security services. This can enhance its reputation and provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace, helping to attract new clients who value professional and ethical security operations.
• Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements: ISO 18788 helps organizations ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations. This reduces the risk of legal penalties, fines, and other sanctions related to non-compliance.
• Improved Risk Management: The standard requires organizations to proactively identify and manage risks associated with private security operations. This leads to better-prepared and more resilient operations, reducing the likelihood and impact of security incidents.
• Operational Efficiency: By implementing the management system for private security operations, organizations can streamline their processes, improve resource allocation, and eliminate inefficiencies, leading to cost savings and improved operational effectiveness.
• Enhanced Stakeholder Confidence: Clients, employees, and other stakeholders gain confidence in the organization’s ability to deliver consistent, reliable, and secure services. This is particularly important in sectors where the integrity of security services is paramount.
• Commitment to Human Rights: ISO 18788 places a strong emphasis on respecting human rights and ensuring that security operations are conducted in an ethical manner. This commitment can improve relationships with communities, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
• Continuous Improvement: The standard encourages organizations to continually improve their management system and services. This dynamic process of enhancement can lead to innovative practices, better service quality, and increased client satisfaction over time.
• Global Recognition: Being an internationally recognized standard, ISO 18788 certification can help organizations expand their operations and client base globally. It provides an internationally accepted indication of quality and reliability in private security operations.
• Employee Engagement and Professional Development: The standard emphasizes the importance of training, competence, and awareness among employees. This can lead to higher levels of employee engagement, professional development, and retention.
• Better Crisis and Incident Management: Organizations with ISO 18788 certification are better equipped to manage and respond to crises and incidents effectively, minimizing potential harm to people, property, and the environment.

ISO 18788:2015 certification not only demonstrates an organization’s commitment to maintaining high standards in private security operations but also contributes to its long-term sustainability and success by fostering trust, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Pacific Certifications is accredited by ABIS, in case you need support with ISO18788 certification for your business, please contact us at suppport@pacificcert.com or +91-8595603096

Also read: ISO 22313:2020 Security and resilience