ASIS Receives ANSI Approval For PSC.2 Conformity Assessment Standard

ASIS International (ASIS), an organization for security management professionals worldwide, received ANSI approval for its standard, Conformity Assessment and Auditing Management Systems for Quality of Private Security Company Operations (ANSI/ASIS PSC.2-2012).  Developed by an international  Technical Committee comprised of members from civil society organizations,  as well as PSCs and their clients, this standard provides requirements and guidance for conducting a conformity assessment of the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations - Requirements with Guidance (PSC.1) Standard.

Private Security Service Providers including Private Security Companies (collectively "PSCs") play an important role in protecting state and non-state clients engaged in relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts; commercial business operations; diplomacy; and military activity.  Independent, external conformity assessment and certification of a Quality Assurance Management System is one means of providing assurance that a PSC has implemented a system for the management of quality of service consistent with respect for human rights, legal obligations, and good practices, as specified in the PSC.1 standard. Clients who use the services of PSCs have indicated they will use the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012 in their contracting processes. The PSC.1 Standard serves as a differentiator for companies that can provide quality of service, manage risk and respect human rights.

"When incorporated into contracts, compliance with the standard becomes enforceable under contract law," says Christopher Mayer, director, Armed Contingency Contractor Policies and Programs at the U.S. Department of Defense. "Aside from direct legal action, the contracting activity can assess penalties, demand redress, withhold payment, and implement other measures to include contract termination to promote compliance and encourage company adherence."

The ANSI/ASIS Conformity Assessment Standard provides requirements and guidance on the management of audit programs, conduct of internal or external audits of the management system and private security company operations, as well as on competence and evaluation of auditors.

"The integrity of the auditing process and the competence of auditors are key to a credible conformity assessment process" says Marc Siegel, Commissioner, ASIS International Global Standards Initiative. "This standard builds on the time-tested ISO/IEC conformity assessment process to raise the bar for auditing in complex environments.  By defining auditor competence and a transparent auditing process, the ANSI/ASIS Conformity Assessment Standard helps assure that PSCs will be treated fairly and only those that live up to the conformance requirements of the PSC.1 standard get certified."   

The PSC.2 Standard:
- Is a sector specific based on the ISO/IEC 17021:2011 Conformity assessment -- Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems
- Provides requirements and guidance for independent Certification Bodies conducting conformity assessment of the standard ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations - Requirements with Guidance
 
- Builds on the existing ISO/IEC conformity assessment process to address the need for civil society organizations, local communities and clients to be assured that the assessment process is both thorough and credible
- Provides requirements and criteria for the competence and evaluation of auditors
- Provides confidence and information to internal and external stakeholders that the requirements of the ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012 are being met
- Provides a mechanism for civil society organizations, local communities and clients to address issues that might arise with regard to certification of a PSC
- Assures all PSCs are evaluated using a defined, repeatable, equal and transparent process without surprises
- Can also be used by PSCs to develop their internal auditing programs to evaluate their performance and drive continual improvement.

"The importance of standards and certification of private security functions is not limited to Department of Defense or U.S. Government contractors," says Mayer. "Other governments, humanitarian agencies, private corporations, and others operating in same region might all contract for private security services. Misconduct on the part of any private security provider adversely affects the ability of all private security providers to perform their duties, regardless of client. This affects the ability of organizations protected by these contractors to execute their missions of government support, relief, reconstruction, and the commercial activity necessary to restore stability to a region."

ASIS continues to develop the series of PSC standards with upcoming standards for a maturity model for the phased implementation of the ANSI/ASIS.PSC.1-2012, and guidance on the implementation of the ANSI/ASIS.PSC.1-2012 for maritime security.

The work of preparing ASIS Standards and Guidelines is carried out through the ASIS International Standards and Guidelines Commission and its committees. An ANSI accredited Standards Development Organization, ASIS  actively participates in the International Organization for Standardization, developing standards and guidelines within a voluntary, nonproprietary and consensus-based process, utilizing the knowledge, experience and expertise of ASIS membership, security professionals and the global security industry. 

Featured

  • The Key to Wellbeing in the Office

    A few years ago, all we saw in the news was the ‘great resignation.’ Now we have another ‘great’ to deal with. According to CBRE, 2023 was the start of the ‘great return’ as office workers returned to their normal offices after working from home. The data shows that two-thirds of all U.S office buildings were more than 90% leased as of Q2 2023. Read Now

  • Failed Cybersecurity Controls Costing U.S. Businesses $30 Billion Yearly

    Panaseer recently released ControlWatch and the Continuous Controls Battle: Panaseer 2025 Security Leaders Report examining the cost of cybersecurity control failures and the impact of growing personal liability for security failings on security leaders. The report analyzes the findings of a survey of 400 security decision makers (SDMs) across the US and UK. It shows that security leaders feel under increasing pressure to provide assurances around cybersecurity, exposing them to greater personal risk – yet many lack the data and resources to accurately report and close cybersecurity gaps. Read Now

  • The Business Case for Video Analytics: Understanding the Real ROI

    For security professionals who may be hesitant to invest in video analytics, now's the time to reconsider. In a newly released Omdia report commissioned by BriefCam (now Milestone Systems), the research firm uncovered a compelling story: more than 85% of North American and European organizations that use video analytics achieve a return on investment within just one year. The study, which surveyed 140 end users across multiple industries, demonstrates that security technology is no longer just for security — it's a cross-organizational tool that delivers measurable business value far beyond traditional safety applications. Read Now

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3