PSPSEC015
Communicate security awareness


Application

This unit describes the skills required to promote security issues to improve government security management. It includes planning and designing awareness-raising activities, promoting security management and developing and nurturing cooperative client relationships.

This unit applies to those whose roles include promoting and conducting security awareness activities and evaluating their success.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to ethical and security management standards, guidelines and codes of conduct when communicating security awareness.

Those undertaking this unit would normally work independently, initiating support from a range of established resources, while performing complex tasks in a range of contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Plan security awareness activities

1.1 Determine need for activities and consult clients and staff to establish priorities in the organisation’s security plan.

1.2 Initiate, gather and assess ideas for new or improved activities, taking into account the human, financial and physical resources required.

1.3 Obtain approval for security awareness activities.

2. Design security awareness activities

2.1 Establish formal and informal networks of targeted individuals and groups and use these as communication channels.

2.2 Incorporate precedents in security management into awareness activities.

2.3 Design and produce information presentations and support materials as required.

2.4 Create awareness activities based on the organisation’s corporate objectives, core business, culture and an understanding of its client base.

3. Promote government security management

3.1 Prepare and disseminate information relating to incidents and effects of non-compliance.

3.2 Develop and present information to promote government security management and meet the needs of a diverse audience.

4. Develop and nurture cooperative client relationships

4.1 Establish and document expectations of clients and contractors.

4.2 Anticipate opportunities, in consultation with work colleagues and managers, for establishing contacts and networks with external and internal clients.

4.3 Monitor and inform clients of changes in organisational focus which may affect organisation–client relationships.

4.4 Obtain feedback on organisational activities and report outcomes.

4.5 Facilitate stakeholder understanding of organisation’s security management philosophy, policy and procedures.

4.6 Advise clients when and how to modify their practices to meet organisational standards as required.

5. Conduct security management activities

5.1 Implement security management activities using adult learning methodologies and within existing resource and time constraints.

5.2 Identify intended outcomes based on expectations of the target audience.

5.3 Adapt and refine activities as indicated by audience engagement and responses.

6. Evaluate success of awareness raising activities

6.1 Evaluate security awareness activities against predetermined objectives.

6.2 Document results of evaluation and use as basis for planning future activities.

6.3 Identify and act upon opportunities for new security awareness activities as required.

6.4 Obtain evidence of status or changes in the type and level of security breaches as a result of activities.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least two occasions.

designing security management activities

developing and maintaining client relationships

tailoring activity sessions to the needs of adult learners and a variety of audiences

managing time effectively to plan and facilitate security management activities within existing resource and time constraints

delivering oral presentations

explaining complex concepts and formal documents, including legislation, standards and codes of conduct

using communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes


Evidence of Knowledge

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

Operational knowledge of:

agency structure and core business activities

security and how it relates to the specific functions and activities of the organisation, together with an understanding of ethical standards required by the organisation of its staff and contractors and suppliers

national strategic objectives relating to government security management

jurisdictional security requirements and strategic objectives

crossjurisdictional protocols

international treaties and protocols

the organisation’s security risk management methodology

security risk factors in the organisation

identified instances of security breaches

adult learning principles

audience requirements

antidiscrimination and diversity legislation

legislation, policies and procedures relating to conduct of security management activities including WHS and environment


Assessment Conditions

Assessment of this unit requires evidence gathered over time in a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when communicating security awareness.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Foundation Skills

The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.


Competency Field

Security