Neotas has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) to enable the secure passporting of security personnel data between organisations. This innovative collaboration will eliminate duplicative vetting processes and significantly reduce administrative burden whilst maintaining the highest security clearance standards.
The partnership addresses a critical industry challenge as the UK security sector grapples with increasing regulatory demands and the need for more efficient data management systems. With new UK cybersecurity measures being proposed for data centres and managed service providers, the timing of this collaboration is particularly significant for enhancing the regulatory framework surrounding personnel data handling.
"We are delighted to announce our partnership with the British Security Industry Association,” said Vipul Mishra, CEO of Neotas. “This represents a significant step forward in streamlining security personnel vetting processes. This collaboration with such an influential organistion in the sector will enable the secure passporting of personnel data between security organisations, eliminating duplicative procedures and reducing administrative burden whilst maintaining the highest standards of security clearance. We believe this partnership will deliver substantial time and cost savings across the industry, ultimately benefiting both security providers and their clients. It also means all those who are employed in the security sector will no longer have to go through the laborious process of providing the same information over and over again each time they are employed. This is a five year journey and will result in a paradigm shift for the sector"
The initiative comes at a crucial time as businesses prepare for year-end reviews and planning cycles, where streamlined risk management processes become essential for operational efficiency. The partnership will enable security organisations to securely transfer verified personnel credentials, eliminating the need for repeated background checks when security professionals move between companies within the industry.
This development is particularly relevant given current public concerns about data processing. According to the Office for National Statistics, 72% of the public believe that AI could negatively impact their lives by using personal data, highlighting the critical importance of transparent and secure data handling processes in personnel passporting systems.
The partnership leverages Neotas' artificial intelligence and open-source intelligence (OSINT) capabilities to create a secure, automated workflow that transforms complex personnel data into actionable insights. This approach aligns with recent discussions emphasising that creating systems that are self-service yet secure is essential for maintaining trust and compliance.
The collaboration addresses growing industry needs as the UK government has initiated calls for views regarding the data broking industry and security practices, underscoring the necessity for streamlined processes in managing security personnel data to enhance compliance and security standards.
The scale of efficient data processing systems is already evident in the UK, with approximately 1.4 million passengers passing through ePassport Gates each month at 18 airport terminals, demonstrating the growing reliance on automated, secure data management systems that can be paralleled in the security sector.
The partnership will provide real-time monitoring capabilities, deep-dive investigation tools, and jurisdiction-specific compliance insights, ensuring organisations can make informed decisions whilst safeguarding their reputation. By automating third-party due diligence workflows, the collaboration enables compliance, risk, and procurement teams to swiftly identify potential issues and navigate evolving regulatory requirements.
Patrick Kyle, Chief Commercial Officer of BSIA commented, ”The BSIA partnership with Neotas is a key step forward for the securities industry, enabling a simple transfer of security staff from one organisation to another within the sector. The initiative will save time and unnecessary duplication of searches as security professionals move from one organisation to another. We look forward to working with Neotas in the next three to five years as we develop the system with our members and the wider security sector.”
He went on to say “this initiative positions both organisations and BSIA members at the forefront of digital transformation within the UK security industry, offering a competitive advantage through enhanced operational efficiency and reduced administrative costs. The partnership is expected to set new industry standards for personnel data management and establish a framework that other sectors may adopt. The collaboration will be implemented in phases throughout 2026, with initial pilot programmes launching in the first quarter to test the passporting system with select BSIA member organisations before full industry rollout”.
