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Certifications are the cornerstone of professional security installers in the UK.
These aren’t just badges on the marketing material of security companies, but a sign of guarantee.
Certifications ensure that all work is carried out in line with recognised industry standards and best practices, and with a strong focus on long-term credibility, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Installing security hardware is a serious business, which is why all property owners must put emphasis on not just the experience of the installer but also their accreditations.
Read below to learn more about why certifications matter when choosing a security installer and how to pick the right security company for your needs:
WHY CERTIFICATIONS MATTER
If you have been shortlisting security installers, then there is a chance that you might have come across terms such as SSAIB, NSI and MLA.
These are certifications that signal quality, credibility, reliability, and trust. Let’s go over each certification in detail.
SSAIB
SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarm Inspections Board) is an SIA (Security Industry Authority) approved leading certification body for businesses providing security systems and services.
This certification body also governs and audits the methods and processes used for the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of security infrastructure.
Founded in 1994, this certification provides guarantees while promoting high standards of service.
The SSAIB has been a long-standing mark of trust and excellence in the security world. Companies with this certification often target both small and large security companies.
SSAIB is a third-party certification, which means that it independently audits security companies periodically to see if they meet the criteria for having this certification.
Perhaps the best thing about SSAIB certifications is that they also comply with enforcement and insurer policies. This means that you can also command better premiums on your property by having your security system installed by a certified professional like Calder Security.
NSI
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is another prestigious certification awarded to only the best security companies in the UK.
This certification is just like the SSAIB but is more geared towards large organisations that have much more stringent compliance requirements.
The NSI offers a two-tier certification:
- NSI Gold
- NSI Silver
NSI Gold is the highest level of certification and is given to security companies that primarily cater to corporate or enterprise customers.
The Gold tier follows strict compliance requirements that include management systems, transparent and audited workflows, thorough documentation, and periodic surveys or audits.
The NSI Silver is similar to the NSI Gold certification except that it has less stringent focus on documentation and paper trail, even though it too has the same requirements for quality.
Most small to mid-scale businesses or residential properties will never have to go for an NSI-Gold or Silver-rated security company, as the SSAIB will be more than enough for their needs.
The SSAIB is considered the gold standard for security companies catering to small to medium-sized businesses and homes.
MLA
The Master Locksmith Association (MLA) is a specialised certification for companies that offer locksmith services, such as Calder Security.
The MLA is a guarantee that the services provided by the locksmiths of the company will be on par with industry standards, and the technicians will have mastery over their craft.
This certification is highly regarded in the security world, and customers increasingly go for MLA-approved companies due to their strict standards.
WHY BECOME A CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR?
The question should rather be: why not become a certified contractor?
There is literally nothing to lose and everything to gain by becoming a certified contractor in the security market.
For example, the SIA provides an Approved Contractor Scheme that helps your organisation stand out from the rest and gives it an upper hand in this highly competitive security industry.
There are several advantages of becoming a certified contractor in the UK:
Business Opportunities
Being accredited can open doors for your business and add a level of credibility and trust that customers demand in today’s competitive market.
As mentioned above, approved contractors have an upper hand compared to other businesses, and the certification will be attractive for customers and even insurers.
Customers will also be able to reach out organically through registries. For example, the SIA runs a register of Approved Contractors that can be accessed by people looking for security products and services.
This registry is available on the SIA website and is often the first place where people search for reliable and competent security specialists.
Marketing Material
When you become an Approved Contractor, the SIA will provide your business with free materials that you can use to explain the benefits that your company can provide to customers.
These are fantastic promotional and marketing tools that can help you grow as a business.
You will also receive a digital copy of the approved contractor plaque/badge along with the certificate that you can display on your website and office.
In most cases, out of habit, customers often first look for the necessary accreditation before checking out the rest of the website for security companies!
Customer Benefits
Customers get a lot of benefits when choosing a certified contractor. The reason is simple: they want a trustworthy and long-standing security service provider that can provide them with any type of security solution.
The other big benefit for customers is that their installation will always remain compliant and reliable. In fact, customers increasingly go for certified installers due to insurance policy requirements.
Many insurers require customers to have their systems installed by a certified installer. For example, the fine print of the insurance policy can highlight how the security infrastructure must be installed by an SSAIB-approved contractor.
Finally, certified installers often offer maintenance contracts at the end of projects as well. These contracts are extremely important and convenient, and can help security infrastructure work effectively and without fail.
Maintenance helps keep the system from triggering false alarms and from faults such as battery or sensor errors. By going with a contract with a certified installer, you can rest easy knowing that your system will always be handled professionally.
WHY TRUST CALDER SECURITY?
Calder Security is an SSAIB-certified and approved contractor and provides the best level of service in the context of installation, optimisation, and aftercare services.
An SSAIB approval is a mark of excellence and means that our customers can have full confidence in our expertise and workmanship.
Being an approved contractor allows us to demonstrate the high standards we have set for ourselves without fail. We have been certified consistently since 1994 and renew our certification every 3 years to stay on top of the game.
We are approved under several scopes that include intruder alarm systems, CCTV systems, and access control systems.
For verification of our accreditation, you may check the SSAIB website for our approved status here.
SSAIB APPROVED SECURITY SERVICES OFFERED BY CALDER SECURITY
Calder Security is proud to offer a wide range of SSAIB-approved security solutions.
Our services include:
CALDER SECURITY BURGLAR ALARM SERVICES
Burglar alarms are a necessity that is required for homes and businesses. We, at Calder Security, are SSAIB-approved intruder alarm installers, and all our systems comply with the latest industry standards.
This not only offers you and your property protection against intrusions and burglaries but also meets the requirements of your insurance provider.
Burglar alarm hardware is an effective deterrent against burglaries and intrusions, but it requires proper installation if you want the most out of it and want the system to be compliant, and that is where Calder Security can help!
Professional Burglar Alarm Installation
Our engineers and contractors are all SSAIB approved and offer installations of the highest standards.
All our alarm installations comply with standards PD6662:2010, DD243, and BS8243, and meet the stringent requirements of BS4737 and European Standard EN50131 (Intruder Alarm Systems in Buildings).
Our systems are designed specifically for your security needs using equipment from trusted brands, including Texecom, Visonic, Scantronic, Risco, and Pyronix.
Professional Burglar Alarm Maintenance and Repair
We provide professional and regular maintenance that will allow your property to be protected from all kinds of security threats.
Our team can perform annual service checks, which are extremely important to ensure continued reliability and performance.
For times when your burglar alarm shows signs of a fault, our experienced engineers can assess the system and repair it on the same visit.
Thanks to our skillset, we can work with virtually any alarm system, even those that haven’t been installed by us.
Professional Burglar Alarm Monitoring
As an SSAIB-approved alarm receiving centre (ARC), we provide professional alarm monitoring services where our ARC is notified when the alarm is triggered.
When alerted to the alarm being triggered, the ARC performs checks to confirm the alarm, notify the key holder, and, if appropriate, alert the police.
We offer three main methods of monitoring depending on the level of security you require: digital monitoring using a standard telephone line, DualCom GPRS operating via a phone line and GPRS, and BT Redcare GSM operating via a phone line and GSM.
Please note that BT Redcare services were formally withdrawn by BT on August 1, 2025, with final operations closing on December 15, 2025.
The service is no longer considered active, and users must migrate to alternative providers, such as CSL’s GradeShift Pro or AddSecure. Calder Security technicians can help users migrate to these services without causing any downtime.
CALDER SECURITY CCTV SERVICES
CCTVs are cameras that are strategically placed around the property to record video footage. When multiple cameras are installed, they become part of a CCTV network. This network requires optimisation, configuration, and management.
Calder Security is an approved installer and contractor for CCTV services, which include:
Professional CCTV Installation
CCTV installation is a specialist job with many factors to consider, such as optimum positioning of the cameras, setting up the DVR, integrating with other security measures such as intruder alarm, and the settings of the system itself.
Our approved installers have the specific knowledge and experience to work on a wide range of CCTV systems to get the most out of them and use only quality equipment from manufacturers such as Hikvision.
Professional CCTV Maintenance and Repair
Maintenance is key to keeping your CCTV system working effectively. Our specialist engineers can conduct a visual assessment of the system as well as a detailed inspection that includes checking all its components.
If a fault is detected in the cameras, their components, or the wiring and DVR, the issues can be resolved on the spot.
If you find that your CCTV system isn’t working properly, you can count on our security specialists for a fast and responsive repair service, even for systems not installed by us.
Professional CCTV Monitoring
Professional CCTV monitoring is another great service that allows you to keep an eye on your premises via a professional monitoring station, even when it is unoccupied.
Our trusted Remote Video Receiving Centres (RVRC) allow you to detect any breach of security in real time, enabling you to take appropriate action to minimise the risk. It offers peace of mind to you as a property owner that any incident detected would prompt an appropriate response.
CALDER SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL SERVICES
Access control refers to a type of electronic security system that gives you control over the flow of people to and from your property.
It adds a security barrier in the form of specialised locks and a keypad interface to ensure only authorised people access certain areas in your property.
They are commonly used in commercial properties such as offices and financial institutions, but are now becoming a common sight in residential properties as well.
There are several types of access control systems, from simple ones that use intercoms and electronic locks to more technologically advanced biometric systems.
Here are the SSAIB-approved access control system services offered by Calder Security for both home and business security:
Professional Access Control Installation
Access control systems can’t be DIY’d or installed improperly because if they fail to work, people can lose access to or get stuck around the property. They must be professionally installed by someone who possesses the required skill and knowledge to work on them.
We are SSAIB-approved installers for home and business access control systems, as well as MLA-approved locksmiths, and can advise you on the best system for your needs.
We can offer all types of access control systems, including intercom, proximity fob, card swipe, and keypad. We can even offer biometric systems that work with fingerprints or retina scans.
Professional Access Control Maintenance and Repair
Access control systems require periodic maintenance to make sure they continue to work as intended.
Our SSAIB-approved contractors, specialist security engineers, and MLA-approved locksmiths can maintain and enhance a variety of door entry systems.
We also operate a 24-hour emergency service for fixes and repairs, and can resolve issues efficiently and effectively using our vast knowledge and experience.
CONTACT CALDER SECURITY
At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.
We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on why certifications matter when choosing a security installer and how to pick the right security company for your needs.
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