NACOSS Gold and Systems Silver

Security Systems Certification

NACOSS Gold and our Systems Silver certification ensure your customers know that your security systems meet the highest industry standards. Whether it is intruder alarms, CCTV, access control systems or scaffolding alarms, we have it covered, including ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001, ISO 45001.

Why NSI for Security Systems Certification?

Recognised by insurers, police and industry professionals
Our certification protects reputations - yours and the industry’s
NSI reinvests in its auditors and technical expertise, not shareholders
Our specialist assessors bring decades of sector knowledge
Transparent fees, with no hidden extras
What you pay is what you get — and with NSI, you get more: depth of expertise and long-term support

Interested in
NSI certification?

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NSI certified nacoss gold and systems silver

Who are our security systems schemes for?

Our schemes are for the people who take pride in doing the job right, every time. Those who care about quality, who go the extra mile for their customers and who keep raising the bar for what good looks like in our industry.

Join the community trusted by insurers, recognised by Police and chosen by 90% of the most respected brands across the industry.

Do you?

Design, install, commission or maintain electronic security systems for domestic, commercial or public sector clients.
Want to demonstrate compliance with British, European and international standards.
Require recognition by insurers or Police (via the Police’s Security Systems Policy).
Aim to stand out to buyers who demand third-party certification from a trusted, UKAS-accredited body.

Compare NACOSS Gold and Systems Silver Certification

Both NSI certification schemes recognise excellence in security systems installation — here’s how they differ.

Feature	NACOSS Gold	Systems Silver

Level of Approval	Most comprehensive level of NSI certification for electronic security systems companies.	Robust route to third-party approval.
Scope of Systems Covered	• Intruder and hold-up alarm systems (PD 6662, BS 8243, BS 9263, BS 8473, NCP 120) • CCTV (Video Surveillance) systems, including detector-activated (NCP 104, BS 8418)) • Access control systems (NCP 109) • Scaffolding alarm systems (NCP 115)	• Intruder and hold-up alarm systems (PD 6662, BS 8243, BS 9263, BS 8473, NCP 120) • CCTV (Video Surveillance) systems, including detector-activated (NCP 104, BS 8418)) • Access control systems (NCP 109) • Scaffolding alarm systems (NCP 115)
Quality Management	Complies with NSI Systems Silver Approval Criteria, Management & Technical Requirements and NSI Regulations. Includes ISO 9001 for Quality Management and Continuous Improvement. NSI’s Security Systems Quality Schedule (SSQS 101) builds on the requirements of ISO 9001, providing industry specific quality management requirements linking the technical standards to the quality management framework.	Complies with NSI Systems Silver Approval Criteria, Management & Technical Requirements and NSI Regulations.
Staff Screening	All operational staff must be security screened to BS 7858 before certification.	All staff in relevant employment must be screened to BS 7858 before certification (It's not related to being operational and access to sensitive information is one example of relevant employment)
Audit Process	Stage 1 Preparedness Assessment: Review of core processes and readiness. Stage 2 Audit: Full audit of QMS and site inspections verifying compliance.	Audit covering company processes, on-site inspections, and verification of compliance with relevant standards.
Installation Requirements	Applicants must have installed a sufficient number of systems for NSI to assess quality of work.	Applicants must have installed at least four systems before applying.
Outcome	Highest level of recognition in the UK security systems sector.	Recognised demonstration of technical competence and consistent quality management.
	Make an enquiry	Make an enquiry

In Ireland?

In the Republic of Ireland, NSI operates as CerticCS for security system certification.

It is mandatory for companies (and individuals in most cases) operating in ROI to be licensed by the Private Security Authority (PSA) for the services they deliver. To become licensed the business must be approved by an independent certification body for the services they deliver. NSI CerticCS is authorised by the Private Security Authority (PSA) to deliver the necessary approval in the areas / standards shown below.

Intruder Detection - I.S. EN 50131-1; PSA 74
CCTV - PSA 2006 and PSA 74

Access Control - PSA 74

In addition, we also offer approval to:

ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)

Find out more

Join the most respected brands in the industry

Begin your journey towards NSI approval for either NACOSS Gold or Systems Silver.

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Once your enquiry is received, we’ll provide a tailored quotation and information on Approval Criteria, NSI Regulations and supporting documents.

NACOSS FAQ:

Why Choose a NACOSS recognised firm?

Why Choose a NACOSS recognized firm?

Choosing a NACOSS recognised firm means selecting a security provider independently approved by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) to meet the highest standards for quality, competence and integrity. NACOSS Gold and Silver firms have undergone rigorous auditing to prove their systems, staff training and working practices meet recognised UK and international standards.

Working with a NACOSS recognised company gives customers, insurers and police confidence that their intruder alarm, CCTV or access control systems are designed, installed and maintained to professional standards. These firms are regularly re-audited by NSI, ensuring ongoing compliance, technical excellence and reliability. In short, choosing a NACOSS firm helps ensure your security system performs when it matters most - protecting people, property and peace of mind.

When people refer to a NACOSS audible only alarm meaning, they’re describing a NACOSS-approved system that activates a local siren or bell when triggered but does not send a signal to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Even though it’s not monitored, an audible-only NACOSS alarm still benefits from professional installation and compliance with recognised industry standards - ensuring reliability, performance and peace of mind.

Is NACOSS the same as NSI?

NACOSS and NSI are closely connected but not quite the same thing. The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is the certification body that manages the NACOSS approval schemes. NACOSS, which stands for National Approval Council for Security Systems, was originally an independent body that set standards for security system installers before merging with NSI in 2001.

Today, the NACOSS name lives on through NSI’s NACOSS Gold scheme, which recognises companies that meet rigorous standards for the design, installation and maintenance of intruder alarms, CCTV and access control systems. So while NSI is the organisation carrying out the audits and issuing certification, NACOSS remains the badge that represents excellence in electronic security.

How do I know if my alarm is NUD or NACOSS?

You can tell if your alarm system is NACOSS approved by checking whether the company that installed or maintains it holds current NSI NACOSS Gold or Silver certification. Certified firms will display the NSI NACOSS logo on their paperwork, signage, website or service reports and you can verify their status instantly using the Approved Companies Search on the NSI website.

If your alarm is described as “NUD” (non-UKAS domestic) or similar, it means it was not installed by an NSI-approved company operating under the UKAS-accredited NACOSS schemes. NACOSS-recognised firms have been independently audited to national and international standards, providing assurance that your system meets police, insurer and industry requirements.