PSA key terms

The Irish statutory body that licenses and regulates private security contractors and personnel, sets standards for service delivery and conducts inspections and enforcement against unlicensed operators.

The primary Irish legislation establishing the licensing system for private security services, defining licensable activities, offences for unlicensed operation and the Authority's powers of inspection and prosecution.

Any security activity listed in law that may only be provided by a holder of a valid PSA licence, such as guarding, door supervision, cash transit, locksmithing or security equipment installation.

The formal authorisation issued by the PSA permitting a contractor or individual employee to provide specified security services for a defined period, subject to conditions and renewal.

The PSA licence held by a business entity that supplies security services, requiring it to meet standards on staff vetting, insurance, record keeping and supervision before it can legally trade.

The individual PSA licence held by a person performing licensable security work, granted after vetting and training requirements are met and carried while on duty.

The PSA-issued photo card showing a licence holder's name, licence number and service categories, which must be produced on request to clients, inspectors or Gardaí.

Restrictions and obligations attached to a PSA licence, such as limiting the services permitted, requiring notification of changes, or mandating compliance with codes of practice.

A person or business providing a licensable security service without a valid PSA licence, which is a criminal offence exposing the operator to prosecution, fines or imprisonment.

The background checking process, including criminal record disclosure, used to assess whether an applicant is suitable to hold a security licence before employment begins.

A PSA-published standard setting out required practices for a security sector, covering areas such as guarding, door supervision, monitoring centres and handling of personal data.

A documented technical or operational requirement, often aligned with published Irish or international standards, that licensed contractors must meet and be able to evidence at inspection.

A structured inspection by the PSA or an internal reviewer examining records, procedures and site practice to verify that a contractor complies with licence conditions and codes of practice.

Site-specific written orders telling security personnel what to do at a particular location, including patrol routes, access rules, emergency contacts and reporting requirements.

The limited power of a person who is not a Garda to arrest someone without a warrant where an arrestable offence is being or has just been committed, or where the person is fleeing from it.

The minimum level of physical intervention that is lawful and proportionate in the circumstances, judged objectively against the threat faced and the need to prevent harm or escape.

A graduated framework describing escalating responses from presence and verbal direction through restraint to physical intervention, guiding proportionate decision-making and post-incident review.

Holding a person in a place or preventing them from leaving, which is generally unlawful for a private security operative except in narrow circumstances such as a lawful arrest or consented search.

The unlawful and intentional restriction of another person's freedom of movement, a civil wrong and potential criminal offence for which security staff and their employers can be liable.

An act causing a person to apprehend immediate unlawful violence, or in its aggravated form an actual physical attack, relevant when assessing whether force used by security staff was justified.

The dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the owner, a core offence investigated and reported by security personnel.

Entering a building or part of a building as a trespasser with intent to commit theft or another serious offence, or committing such an offence after entry.

Unlawful entry onto or remaining on property without permission; a civil wrong in most cases, giving occupiers limited rights to ask a person to leave.

A written document required of employers identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks and setting out the controls, responsibilities and resources needed to protect employees and others.

A systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm, and deciding on control measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level.

A continuing, in-the-moment evaluation of changing conditions, such as a crowd or intruder situation, allowing staff to adjust tactics and request support before harm occurs.

Working without direct colleague supervision, requiring specific controls such as check-in calls, personal alarms, itinerary logging and pre-agreed escalation procedures.

Gear such as gloves, high-visibility clothing, footwear or body armour supplied to reduce exposure to workplace hazards, provided free where risk cannot be controlled otherwise.

The designated safe location outside a building where staff and occupants gather after evacuation so that roll call and accountability can be confirmed.

A planned rehearsal of emergency egress procedures, timed and recorded, used to test alarm response, escape routes, assembly arrangements and staff competence.

A trained person responsible for checking an area is clear during evacuation, guiding occupants to exits and reporting completion to the person co-ordinating the emergency response.

The process of accounting for people at an assembly point by name or headcount so that missing persons can be reported to emergency services promptly.

Behaviour consistent with the standards expected of a licensed operative, including honesty, courtesy, impartiality, sobriety on duty and respect for the dignity of others.

The duty not to disclose information learned through work, such as client data or incident details, except where law, safety or the proper performance of duties requires it.

A situation where personal interests or relationships could improperly influence professional decisions, which must be declared and managed to preserve integrity and trust.

The principle that service users and colleagues must not be treated less favourably on grounds such as gender, religion, disability, age, race or membership of the Traveller community.

Practical adjustments made so that a person with a disability can access premises, services or employment on an equal basis, without imposing a disproportionate burden.

Unwanted conduct related to a protected ground that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading or offensive environment.

A factual written account of an event recorded as soon as practicable, covering time, place, people involved, actions taken and witnesses, without opinion or speculation.

Notes made at or close to the time of an event, valued for accuracy and credibility, and retained because they may later be disclosable in legal proceedings.

A documented, unbroken record of who handled an item, when and why, from seizure to production in court, used to show it has not been tampered with.

A tamper-evident container used to secure physical items, sealed and labelled with details of the finder, date, time and location, with any transfer recorded.

The practice of keeping documents such as reports, logs and CCTV footage for defined periods in line with legal, contractual and data protection requirements.