AUCSO - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the organisation for security professionals working in Higher and Further Education worldwide, is shocked and saddened by the serious incident reported at the University of Surrey yesterday (4.6.26). AUCSO’s thoughts are first and foremost with the member of the University’s Campus Safety team who has been seriously injured while carrying out their duties. AUCSO’s thoughts are with them, their family, friends and colleagues, and to the wider Campus Safety and university community at this very difficult time. Extremely challenging circumstances Campus Safety and Security teams across higher and further education work every day to help keep students, staff and visitors safe. They are often the first to respond in difficult, fast-moving and unpredictable situations, and today’s incident is a stark reminder of the commitment, courage and professionalism shown by those working on the frontline of campus safety. They also recognise the distress this incident will have caused to students, staff and families across the University of Surrey’ community. They have been moved by reports of students and others at the scene who stepped forward to help, showing considerable bravery and humanity in extremely challenging circumstances. Active police investigation AUCSO has reached out to the University of Surrey to offer support to its Campus Safety team and wider colleagues in any way that may be helpful. As this remains an active police investigation, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the circumstances of the incident. Figen Murray OBE, Patron of AUCSO, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of this shocking incident and my thoughts are with the injured member of the Campus Safety team, their family, colleagues and the wider University of Surrey community.” “Those who work to keep our campuses and public spaces safe perform a vital role, often with great courage and dedication. At moments like this, it is so important that we stand alongside them and recognise the humanity, professionalism and bravery shown by those who respond when others are in need.”

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has agreed a major new sector collaboration with the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS) and Nu-ology Training to deliver accredited counter-terrorism protective security training for university and healthcare security professionals. The partnership marks an important step forward for both the university and healthcare security sectors. After many years of recognising the value of closer alignment, AUCSO and NAHS have come together, in collaboration with Nu-ology Training, to support a more joined-up approach to protective security preparedness across two sectors with many shared challenges. Supporting professional standards The collaboration will provide AUCSO and NAHS members with access to the SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness, developed in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and designed to align with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law. As universities, hospitals and healthcare sites are among the UK’s most complex, open and publicly accessible environments, and frequently operate side-by-side across shared or adjacent estates, the partnership is designed to strengthen capability, support professional standards and help organisations prepare for the responsibilities introduced under the new legislation. Seeking specialist advice It also represents the first phase of a wider, future-focused training collaboration between AUCSO, NAHS and Nu-ology Training, with all three organisations keen to explore further opportunities to support professional development, resilience and preparedness across the sectors. The Level 3 qualification equips learners with the knowledge, skills and understanding to recognise terrorist attack methodologies, assess the likelihood of threats, and identify appropriate mitigation strategies. It also supports learners in understanding how to apply those strategies proportionately within their own operational settings, while recognising the limits of their own expertise and when to seek specialist advice. Joint training sessions SFJ Awards states that the qualification is the only one endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing and NaCTSO, with the qualification developed to strengthen UK counter-terrorism protective security and organisational preparedness. Joint training sessions will be delivered by Nu-ology Training, an SFJ Awards-approved centre specialising in accredited programmes across the security, safety and resilience sectors. Founded and led by experienced practitioners, Nu-ology combines operational expertise with strong educational practice to deliver learner-centred, employer-focused training. Protective security nationwide Courses will be delivered regionally, with AUCSO and NAHS regional heads supporting arrangements for suitable classroom facilities. Places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with each course running for a minimum of eight and a maximum of 15 delegates. Regional delivery dates and locations will be announced shortly. A spokesperson from NAHS said: “This collaboration marks a significant moment for healthcare security. The introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 places new responsibilities on our sector, and our members need access to high-quality, accredited training that helps prepare them for what lies ahead. Working alongside AUCSO and Nu-ology allows us to strengthen capability across shared and complex estates and support a consistent, professional approach to protective security nationwide.” Future-focused training collaboration Geoff Brown, Chair, AUCSO said: “University campuses are dynamic, complex environments, often operating side-by-side with healthcare, research, transport and public spaces. The new legislation reinforces the importance of robust, informed and proportionate protective security. This partnership is a strong example of sectors coming together to share knowledge, build capability and support professional standards at a time when preparedness has never been more important.” Julie Barker, Chief Operating Officer, AUCSO said: “By partnering with NAHS and Nu-ology, AUCSO is helping to create a clear and accessible pathway for competence and preparedness across two sectors with many shared challenges. This is also the start of what we hope will become a wider and future-focused training collaboration. It is an exciting opportunity to build on the expertise of all three organisations and deliver real value for our members, our institutions and the wider communities we serve.” Nationally recognised pathway Claire Humble, Director, Nu-ology Training, said: “We are proud to support this important sector collaboration. The SFJ Awards / NaCTSO Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is a critical qualification at a critical time.” “By working with AUCSO and NAHS, we can deliver accessible, accredited training that strengthens resilience across healthcare and university environments. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to professionalisation, preparedness and public safety.” While the qualification does not in itself guarantee compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, it provides a structured and nationally recognised pathway for individuals and organisations seeking to build knowledge, confidence and capability in counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness.

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has announced a major evolution of its Benchmarking Platform, introducing new data measures, including institutional readiness for ‘Martyn’s Law’, as the programme expands in scale, depth and strategic importance. Following the successful launch of its Benchmarking Report 2025, the platform has rapidly developed into a live, sector-wide intelligence tool, shaped directly by member engagement and real-world operational challenges. Emerging sector priorities Now comprising 92 university profiles from institutions across the UK, Ireland and internationally, the platform is providing increasingly robust insights into how higher education security teams are structured, resourced and evolving. Unlike traditional benchmarking exercises, AUCSO’s platform is being actively refined in response to member discussions and emerging sector priorities. Insights from member forums, including recurring questions around security-to-student ratios, team structures, shift patterns and technology use, have directly informed the next phase of development. Enabling meaningful comparisons While existing data is already enabling meaningful comparisons in areas such as workforce scale and operating models, gaps identified by members are now being addressed through the introduction of new, targeted data points. Julie Barker, Chief Operating Officer of AUCSO, said: “What has been most powerful about the benchmarking programme is how quickly it has become something the sector actively uses and shapes. We are not simply collecting data - we are listening to our members, responding to the questions they are asking, and building a tool that reflects the realities of modern university security.” Sector-wide visibility Central to the platform’s enhancement is the introduction of new questions designed to help institutions assess their preparedness for the forthcoming Protect Duty, commonly known as Martyn’s Law. Figen Murray, Patron of AUCSO and an advocate for Martyn’s Law, said: “Understanding preparedness is the first step towards improving it. By embedding Martyn’s Law readiness into its benchmarking, AUCSO is providing universities with a clear and practical way to assess where they stand and what more needs to be done. This kind of sector-wide visibility is essential as we move towards implementation.” Benchmarking current practice Rather than focusing prematurely on compliance, the platform will initially capture a clear picture of where institutions are in their journey, whether actively preparing, monitoring developments, or yet to begin. This approach reflects the evolving nature of the legislation, with further, more detailed measures to be introduced once statutory guidance is published. The next phase of the benchmarking programme will also introduce new questions in areas identified as priorities by members, including: Shift structures and demand management, providing insight into how institutions resource 24/7 operations and respond to peak pressures Emergency preparedness, including whether institutions have documented and tested procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and mass communication Martyn’s Law readiness, introducing a baseline measure to understand whether institutions are actively progressing, monitoring developments, or yet to begin, helping identify where further support or guidance may be needed. Future modules covering CCTV platforms, communications protocols, and partnership working These additions will allow institutions not only to benchmark current practice, but to identify more sustainable and effective operating models across the sector. Responding to operational challenges Nick Beale, CEO of ISARR, added: "This is where benchmarking becomes truly powerful - when it moves beyond static comparison to dynamic, actionable insight. Working alongside AUCSO, we've built a platform that doesn't just collect data but turns it into a decision-support tool for security leaders. As the dataset deepens and incorporates new areas such as Martyn's Law readiness, institutions will be better equipped to quantify demand, evidence their resource needs, and make more informed decisions about risk and resilience - supported by a community of peers facing the same challenges and committed to raising standards together." AUCSO emphasises that the strength of the benchmarking programme lies in participation and collaboration. With growing evidence that members are already using the platform to inform decision-making and respond to operational challenges, the organisation is encouraging wider engagement to further strengthen the dataset and its value. As the higher education security landscape continues to evolve, with increasing expectations around safety, wellbeing, and regulatory preparedness, AUCSO believes the platform will play a central role in supporting institutions to respond with confidence. Enhanced benchmarking capability This enhanced benchmarking capability sits alongside the recent publication of a new sector-led framework, ‘The To Protect Model: A Practical Approach for Implementing Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) Responsibilities’, designed to support Higher Education institutions in preparing for the requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. Together, these initiatives will provide the sector with a clearer, more consistent understanding of preparedness for Martyn’s Law, enabling institutions to move forward with greater confidence, coordination, and clarity.