NPSA works with partners to identify risks and vulnerabilities to the UK’s national infrastructure, and to offer advice to reduce them. Our partners include:
- The rest of the UK’s intelligence community, government departments and devolved government with responsibility for infrastructure sectors.
- Businesses and organisations within the critical national infrastructure.
- Security specialists and advice delivery partners, including the police.
UK intelligence agencies
We are part of MI5, the Security Service, which exists to protect the UK against national security threats. Our advice is informed by the latest intelligence and information about the threats posed to the UK by terrorists and state actors. We also work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) a part of GCHQ, which offers advice to businesses and the public to keep them safe online.
UK government departments
GOV.UK is a United Kingdom public sector information website. It provides a single point of access to services provided by His Majesty’s Government and draws together information which was previously published across hundreds of government departments, agencies and other public bodies.
NPSA is one of the UK's three NTAs that work closely together to provide holistic protective security advice. The others are:
- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The NCSC is the UK's NTA for cyber security.
- The UK National Authority for Counter Eavesdropping (UKNACE). UKNACE is the UK's NTA for technical security.
The Home Office is responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. It deals with counter-terrorist policy and legislation. NPSA works under the statutory authority of the Home Secretary.
One of the Cabinet Office's key objectives is to co-ordinate security, intelligence and civil protection matters in the UK against disruptive threats. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), which advises on priorities for intelligence collection and assesses performance against them, is based at the Cabinet Office.
Working with the police
NPSA works with the police, in particular the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), which is a police hosted unit within the National Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (CTPHQ).
NaCTSO support the Protect and Prepare strands of the government’s counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST) and are responsible for providing awareness, advice and guidance in the following areas:
- Publicly Accessible Locations (PALs) throughout the UK
- Hazardous sites and dangerous substances
- Critical National infrastructure
- Personal Security
NaCTSO work in partnership with government and industry and utilise a network of approximately 190 Counter Terrorism Security Advisors, who work within local police forces.
NaCTSO also work with Secured by Design, which is the official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit against a variety of crimes.
Industry and Academia
Partnership with academia and the private sector is at the heart of NPSA work. Experts from a wide variety of academic institutions and private companies work with us to develop our advice & guidance.
- NPSA security guidance can help those working in and around (public places and) publicly accessible locations
- NPSA works with universities to develop guidance on how to undertake research safely and securely
- NPSA develops security guidance to help those working in manufacturing and engineering to protect your science and technological advantage
- NPSA produces security guidance to help the emerging technology sector operate securely and safely
Click on each of the below videos to find out about the experiences of existing customers from the following sectors:
We work with universities to develop guidance on how to undertake research safely and securely
*Title card reading National Protective Security Authority
*Text reading ‘Working with us. Peter. Head of Research Office, University of Cambridge.'*
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National Protective Security Authority works with UK Universities to develop understanding, guidance,
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and training materials for academic staff in order that they can better understand how they can undertake their research safely
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and securely when working with international partners.
They play an important role in bringing institutions together by sharing experience and best practice. Cambridge’s research has always been and must continue to be, global in its scope
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and reach and we must support our academic staff to continue to contribute at the forefront of international scholarship. National Protective Security Authority provides a unique perspective on the challenges and trusted research and its inputs to the development of guidance and best practice has been invaluable.
*NPSA logo appears, followed by a nine-grid collage of scientists working in labs and lecturers teaching*
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NPSA can help the emerging technology sector operate securely and safely
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*Text reading 'Working with us. Chris. Head of Security Air-Sector, BAE Systems.'*
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Security needs to continue to be in the very DNA throughout our entire organisation.
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It must remain second nature to everyone; a part of business as usual.
The real challenge is how do we make this relevant and engaging for our staff?
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This is definitely the National Protective Security Authority helps us.
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They have taken the time to understand our business and people, meeting face-to-face with our leadership teams
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to discuss security needs and shape their support to our specific requirements.
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Their advice is second to none,
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helping us not only better understand the risks we face,
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but also the mitigations that we can put in place to secure our business and protect our people. Their simple and clear communication tools like ‘It’s OK to say’ and ‘Think Before You Link’ campaigns really help to keep security at the forefront of our business thinking.
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If I had to sum up the National Protective Security Authority it would be a world-class, one-stop shop for cutting-edge security advice and guidance.
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We can help those working in and around publicly accessible locations
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*Title card reading Working With Us*
*Title card reading Louise Security Supervisor, Canary Wharf Management Ltd*
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As an internationally recognised landmark, accommodating key financial institutions,
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retail outlets and entertainment venues, Canary Wharf is a potential target for organised terrorist attacks
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as well as lone actors and political activists.
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*Text appearing on screen “Organised Terrorists”, “Lone Actors”, “Political Activists”*
That’s why we must train more security personnel to be ready for every eventuality from public disorders to dealing with explosive devices.
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As well as a wealth of online resources to train our staff, attending the National Protective Security Authority's Control Room Operators Course
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enables people like me to learn first-hand from instructors with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
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The role-play exercises are incredibly valuable
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playing out various types of attacks and learning from each scenario. They become more complex as the day progresses and you find yourself really immersed in each exercise.
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The course also gives you the opportunity to discover insights from the rest of your group
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learning how our various organisations operate.
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Connecting and sharing is really beneficial.
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NPSA can help protect your science and technological advantage
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*Text reading 'Working with us. Chris. Director of Industrial Policy, MTC.'*
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As an organisation working at the intersection
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of Advanced Manufacturing and Technology, it is important that we protect our critical knowledge, manufacturing processes and infrastructure.
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Working with the National Protective Security Authority has increased our awareness of the threats, potential vulnerabilities and importantly to put in place mitigations to protect our most critical assets,
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from our staff through to our intellectual property.
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From our experience they are a great partner, who are genuinely here to help ensure all organisations working across the
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Science, Technology and Critical Knowledge sector can operate as securely and safely as possible.
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