Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers – FAQs and webinar recording

In the qualification handbook, there is a breakdown of assessor and IQA requirements. Some of the requirements include having experience working directly in security or risk management, experience relating to delivering or assessing competence, and to hold a Level 5 or higher qualification.

Find out more in the qualification handbook.

The cost of this qualification varies depending on the training provider you go through. Please get in touch with us to find out which training providers offer this qualification.

Currently, there is no link or recognition from the SIA for this qualification. However, it was designed with the Protective Security Centre (part of the Home Office) and is supported by all three technical authorities.

The qualification was driven by the Protective Security Centre (part of the Home Office), who approached SFJ Awards to act as the awarding organisation to support its development.

We worked together to formalise training for Protective Security Advisors by creating a recognised standard of the knowledge and skills required for the role that has now been endorsed by the three national technical authorities, providing a strong foundation for individuals to progress and specialise within their chosen sector.

This qualification is already live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland , launched 1 May 2025.

You can access the qualification handbook and further information on this qualification here.

This qualification is both practical and knowledge based. There will be some skills-based criteria included. For example, learners may need to produce threat assessments, as well as developing their understanding and knowledge base.

Yes, the qualification does include practical components that are relevant to coordinating event safety teams, managing contractors, and implementing protective security measures for dynamic, high-footfall events or festival sites – though not always in those exact terms. The course is sector agnostic providing the principles of protective security which can be applied in any context. As high-footfall events are often a crime magnet, this course provides the theory to mitigate security risks along with the ability for candidates to understand how for example, hostile vehicle mitigation, security minded communications and disruptive effects can support organisers to create an environment with a layered security approach that provides a positive experience for customers.

Yes , the qualification is now also approved for delivery in Northern Ireland.

The availability of this qualification online varies depending on the training provider – some may run it completely face-to-face whereas others may want to do blended learning with online and in-person.

The qualification is highly relevant and practically beneficial for professionals working in the live events sector. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills needed to manage protective security in dynamic, high-footfall environments such as festivals, concerts, and public gatherings. The qualification covers critical areas including risk assessment, threat mitigation, incident response, and the coordination of safety teams and contractors – skills that directly align with the demands of live event operations.

Endorsed by the UK’s three national technical authorities the certificate carries significant credibility and supports the professionalisation of roles that have responsibility for crowd safety and site security. While it does not replace SIA licensing where required, it offers a strategic and operationally focused foundation for those seeking to enhance safety, resilience, and coordination across live event environments.

Whether the qualification is suitable for someone working in the education or school sector depends very much on the specific circumstances of the individual school or institution. The qualification is designed to provide a baseline of knowledge and skills in protective security, covering areas such as threat assessment, physical and personnel security, and incident response. These areas can be highly relevant in an educational context – particularly for safeguarding, site protection, and risk management.

However, the applicability of the qualification will vary. Schools would need to assess their own environment, identifying their unique assets, threats, and vulnerabilities, and consider whether the depth and focus of this Level 4 qualification aligns with their needs. For example, staff responsible for estates management, site security, or safeguarding in larger or higher-risk school environments might find this qualification particularly beneficial.

This depends on the learner journey. Every learner journey is different, so we take RPL on a case-by-case basis. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss your specific case.

That being said, there is opportunity for RPL and we typically get the training provider’s allocated external quality assurer to support any RPL processes and look at how the prior experience maps across to the current criteria.

Yes, the qualification is available to freelancers working in the events sector, and it may be particularly beneficial for those seeking to formalise their knowledge and enhance their professional credibility in protective security roles. Freelancers who regularly engage in planning or delivering safety and security measures at events – especially in roles involving risk assessment, contractor coordination, or operational site management – may find the qualification a valuable asset.

Importantly, there are no formal prerequisites or entry requirements for this qualification. This was a deliberate decision to ensure accessibility for a wide range of learners, including those who may not have followed a traditional academic or career pathway but have relevant experience or aspirations in the field.

That said, while prior experience in security, event operations, or risk management is not required, it may help learners to better contextualise and apply the content.

We intend to offer the qualification in all four UK nations. We have interest from some Scottish centres and are currently working through the approval process with the Scottish qualifications regulator.

At present, there is no formal legislation in the UK that mandates organisations or public institutions to have a Protective Security Adviser in place. However, there are strong indicators that protective security roles are becoming increasingly important – and potentially subject to future regulatory requirements – especially in light of evolving national security priorities.

By the end of the qualification, learners can expect to leave with a complete and practical toolset that is directly transferable to the workplace. The qualification is designed to provide not only knowledge but also a structured, repeatable process for identifying and managing protective security risks. This includes the ability to assess assets, evaluate threats and vulnerabilities, and implement proportionate mitigations across physical, personnel, technical, and cyber domains.

As a result, the qualification equips individuals with a common framework and professional language that can be consistently followed and adapted within their role, enhancing both operational resilience and organisational security culture.