This unit of competency has application in the security industry in those roles involving operational activities. Competency requires legal and operational knowledge applicable to relevant sectors of the security industry. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Collect and assess information.

1.1 Applicable provisions of legislative and organisational requirements relevant to storing and protecting information are identified and complied with.

1.2 Information is collected and assessed for accuracy and potential future use in accordance with client requirements.

1.3 Protection requirements and storage methods are determined in accordance with client and legislative requirements.

1.4 Information is labelled, registered and recorded using appropriate business equipment.

2Store information.

2.1 Information is stored for future analysis, dissemination and use in accordance with legislative requirements.

2.2 Factors relevant to the secure and safe storage of information are addressed and confirmed as required with relevant persons.

2.3 Storage arrangements are implemented in accordance with best practice and client requirements.

2.4 Continuity logs are established and maintained to monitor security and movement of information.

3Dispose of information.

3.1 Authorisation to dispose of information is verified with relevant persons.

3.2 Information disposal method is determined appropriate to the type of information.

3.3 Information is disposed of in accordance with organisational procedures and legislative requirements.

3.4 Relevant documentation is completed and securely maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

This section describes the skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Required skills

collate and organise information

collect and assess information

communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

dispose of information

identify and comply with applicable legal and procedural requirements including licensing requirements

operate business equipment and technology

organise resource and equipment requirements

prioritise and complete activities within designed timelines

read, analyse and interpret information

record and document information

solve basic problems

store and preserve information

use a range of office equipment and technology

verify validity of information.

Required knowledge

applicable licensing and legal requirements for handling and managing information and the retention of information

applicable licensing requirements

best practice storage arrangements

documentation formats and processes

information collation techniques

information documentation processes and storage procedures

methods and procedures for the disposal of different types of information

operational functions of a range of business equipment and technology

principles of effective communication including interpersonal techniques

privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures

reporting and documentation requirements

requirements for preserving and retrieving evidence

storage requirements for information that is susceptible to spoil or damage (eg film, computer tapes)

techniques to verify and validate information.

technology applications relevant to the analysis and storage of information

types and availability of storage facilities.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

using appropriate technology to label, register and record information

maintaining accurate records and information systems which monitor the security and movement of information

complying with procedures and guidelines for storing and protecting information using a range of storage methods

complying with requirements for storage and preservation of evidence

disposing of information in compliance with legal requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:

observation of processes and procedures

questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

apprehension and powers of arrest

Australian standards and quality assurance requirements

counter-terrorism

crowd control and control of persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

force continuum, use of force guidelines

general 'duty of care' responsibilities

inspection of people and property, and search and seizure of goods

licensing or certification requirements

privacy and confidentiality

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, codes and national standards for:

anti-discrimination

cultural and ethnic diversity

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

relevant industry codes of practice

trespass and the removal of persons.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

business and performance plans

client service standards

code of conduct, code of ethics

communication and reporting procedures

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

OHS policies, procedures and programs

own role, responsibility and authority

personal and professional development

privacy and confidentiality of information

quality assurance and continuous improvement processes and standards

resource parameters and procedures

roles, functions and responsibilities of security personnel

storage and disposal of information.

Informationmay include:

audio or video recordings

charts

computer-based information

data

drawings

evidence

logs

original and backup tapes

original, copy and negative film and photographs

photographs or images

physical items (eg specimens, samples)

radio or telephone records

reports.

Clientsmay include:

corporations

general public

government agencies

insurance companies

judicial representatives

legal representatives

loss assessors

police.

Business equipment and technologymay include:

calculators

facsimile machines

internet

standard commercial computer software and hardware

telephones.

Factorsmay relate to:

client requirements

commercial value of information

consequence of loss

cost of alternative arrangements

duration (eg short term or long term)

environmental considerations (eg temperature, humidity, light, electro magnetic fields)

intellectual property

legal requirements

potential to harm individuals, organisations and countries safety of information

potential use of information

principles for managing exhibits and evidence

requirements for retrieval

security (eg off organisational premises)

sensitivity of information.

Relevant personsmay include:

clients

colleagues

information storage specialists

judicial representatives

police

security personnel

supervisor.

Storage arrangements:

are appropriate to required storage timeframe

are suitable for the effective retention and preservation of information in original condition

prevent cross contamination

prevent damage

prevent interference or tampering

prevent theft damage.

Unit sector

Security

Operations

This unit contains employability skills.