CDS - NSI - National Security Inspectorate

CDS Security – Rosie Abbott Managing Director

Head Office Location: Durham
Number of sites: 1
NSI Certifications: NACOSS Gold and Fire Gold
Areas of business expertise: Public Sector, Healthcare, Education, Heritage and HMOs

Company Overview

CDS Security & Fire is a Durham-based integrator of electronic security and fire safety systems, operating across the North East – from new-builds and heritage sites to schools and hospitals. Since 1986, we’ve built our reputation on high-quality, tailor-made systems: intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, fire detection, nurse-call, induction loops, public address and emergency voice communications.

We’re proud to have a team of dedicated, long-standing staff who genuinely care about the quality of their work and the safety of our clients. Their commitment plays a huge part in delivering the standards that underpin our NSI Gold certification, and is the reason we continue to grow through recommendation and repeat business.

As an NSI Gold certified and BAFE registered provider, our work is rooted in recognised British and international standards. These aren’t just tick-box exercises for us – they form the foundation of how we design, install, and maintain every system. Whether it’s a domestic intruder alarm or a full-scale fire and security package for a listed heritage site, our clients can be confident that the solution they’re getting is compliant, futureproof, and delivered to the highest standard.

What are your company's main drivers for gaining and maintaining NSI certification?

We first obtained NSI certified Installer status back in 1991 – something we’re still incredibly proud of (we even have the original certificate, and I've attached this for you,

For us, NSI certification has always been more than just a badge – it’s a core part of how we operate and the standard we hold ourselves to.

Assurance for our clients and their insurers – NSI certification is widely recognised across the industry as a mark of quality, professionalism, and technical competence.
Operational governance – Achieving and maintaining NSI Gold means we’ve embedded ISO 9001 into our quality systems, our staff are fully security screened, and we work strictly in line with NSI codes of practice.
Competitive edge – Many of our major clients, including NHS Trusts, local authorities, and education providers, require NSI certification as a minimum. It continues to open doors and reinforces trust in our capabilities.

What benefits has NSI certification brought to your business?

NSI certification has brought real, tangible benefits to our business. One of the most measurable is our emergency response performance – while NSI mandates a 4-hour response time, we consistently exceed this, with 97% of emergency calls resolved within just one hour. It also gives us a clear edge when it comes to winning contracts, acting as a gateway to high-value tenders across facilities management, public sector and heritage sectors.

Beyond that, it supports our commitment to continuous improvement – whether that’s refining internal processes, investing in staff development, or making handovers more efficient for our clients. It’s this proactive mindset that helps us stay ahead and deliver the level of service expected from an NSI Gold-accredited company.

How has NSI certification benefitted your customers?

NSI Gold certification gives our clients confidence from day one, reassuring them that they’re working with a company that’s independently audited, fully compliant, and committed to doing things properly. It underpins the service we deliver – from 24/7 support to our guaranteed 4-hour emergency response – with most issues resolved within the hour. Behind the scenes, it’s backed by a team of friendly, knowledgeable engineers who genuinely care about getting it right first time.

Working to NSI standards also ensures our systems are designed and installed in full compliance with the latest BS and EN regulations, helping customers meet their own obligations and reducing risk. For many clients, it’s also a simple tick in the box – with NSI certification often a requirement for insurers, councils, and public bodies.

What preparation does your team undertake in advance of NSI audits?

Truthfully, we don’t have to do a lot of prep – and that’s something we’re really proud of. Our NSI and ISO 9001 processes are fully embedded into our day-to-day operations; they’re not just something we dust off before an audit. These systems have been finely tuned over the last 39 years and are a core part of how we run the business. We’ve built a culture around doing things the right way, consistently – our paperwork is always up to date, our team knows what’s expected, and our standards don’t drop between audits. It’s a real credit to our staff and the pride they take in their work. Of course, we still carry out internal reviews, double-check records and hold the odd refresher chat with the team – but it’s more about confidence than a last-minute scramble. The systems are in place – and they work.

Looking forward, what do you consider to be the industry’s key challenges and opportunities?

Like many in the industry, we’re facing a real challenge with the skills shortage. Finding qualified, knowledgeable engineers is tough – and with labour rates rising, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to balance fair wages with fixed or long-term contract rates agreed with clients. At the same time, we’re seeing a growing threat from cyber attacks – not just on the IP-connected systems we install, but on our own IT infrastructure too. It’s something we take seriously, and we’re continuing to invest in both training and technology to stay ahead. That said, we see huge opportunity in the industry too – from integrated smart systems to growing demand in compliance-led sectors like healthcare, education and heritage. For companies like us, who are certified, proactive, and genuinely care about quality, there’s a lot to be optimistic about.