Martyn's Law and the protective security skills gap

Martyn's Law has pushed protective security from a niche specialism into a statutory duty for qualifying premises and events across the UK. Duty holders now have to consider the terrorist threat and take reasonably practicable measures in response. The uncomfortable reality is that demand for competent protective security advice has grown far faster than the supply of people qualified to give it.

Advice is only as good as the person giving it

A market with more demand than supply attracts generalists. Duty holders are already being offered protective security services by providers whose qualification is little more than having read the guidance. The stakes make that a serious problem, because poor advice does not just waste money, it leaves a venue exposed while creating the appearance of compliance.

What qualified actually looks like

Genuine competence in this field is specific and verifiable. A Level 4 Award in Protective Security or a Level 3 qualification in counter terrorism protective security from an Ofqual regulated awarding body means the holder has been independently assessed against a national standard. Combined with a practitioner background in policing, military or professional security, that certification is what separates advice you can rely on from advice that merely sounds confident.

What duty holders should expect

A competent professional starts with a structured assessment of threat, vulnerability and impact, then recommends proportionate measures matched to your actual risk and your tier under the legislation. They document their reasoning in a way that stands up to the regulator and to insurers. Anyone who opens with equipment rather than assessment is selling, not advising.

The opportunity on the other side

The same skills gap that worries duty holders is a genuine career opening. Security professionals who add regulated protective security and counter terrorism qualifications are moving into roles that barely existed two years ago. Our protective security training is built around exactly that pathway, and the course bundles combine it with related certifications at a reduced overall cost. For organisations that need support now, our security and counter terrorism consulting works with duty holders directly.