Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers (PSA)
The Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers gives learners the knowledge, skills and confidence to assess threat, understand vulnerability and advise organisations on protective security risk. Developed in collaboration with the Home Office Protective Security Centre and endorsed by the National Protective Security Authority, UK NACE and the National Cyber Security Centre, this is the qualification for those ready to operate at a higher advisory level.
Delivery:In person, UK wide
Duration:200 hours TQT
Awarding Body:SFJ Awards
Price:£2,250 + VAT
Course Overview
Security advice is easy to give.
Getting it right when it matters is something else entirely.
The SFJ Awards Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers is built for those who need to make decisions that stand up under pressure, scrutiny and real world consequence.
The Protective Security landscape has changed.
Threats no longer sit neatly in one space. They move across cyber, physical, personnel and technical domains. Organisations that treat them separately are the ones that get caught out.
The SFJ Awards Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers has been designed to change that.
Developed in collaboration with the Home Office Protective Security Centre and endorsed by the National Technical Authorities, this qualification provides the baseline knowledge and skills required to operate as a Protective Security Adviser.
It equips learners to understand how threats operate across multiple domains and how to design integrated, risk based security strategies that protect people, information, systems and physical assets.
Delivered over 5 days in person, with options for virtual or blended delivery, this course is intensive, practical and grounded in real world application.
By the end of the programme, learners will understand how to:
- Identify and assess threats, vulnerabilities and risk
- Develop and implement protective security measures
- Apply a converged security approach across all disciplines
- Support organisational resilience, continuity and security culture
This is not theory for the sake of it.
This is about being able to walk into an organisation and advise with confidence, credibility and clarity.
About the Trainers
This course is delivered by professionals who have operated at the sharp end of security, risk and incident management, bringing real world experience from policing, investigations, event command and complex operational environments. Their backgrounds span public and private sectors, with extensive experience in risk assessment, protective security planning and managing live incidents where decisions carry real consequence. This means the course is not taught from theory alone but grounded in practical application, giving learners direct access to the insight, judgement and experience required to operate confidently as a Protective Security Adviser.
What Does the Course Include?
- All learning materials are provided and aligned to the official SFJ specification
- Structured content supports both classroom delivery and independent study
- Resources are designed to support portfolio completion and assessment requirements
- Materials reflect current national guidance and protective security best practice
- Assessment is based on a combination of:
- Portfolio of evidence
- Written coursework and assignments
- Professional discussion
- Practical and work based outputs
- Methods are designed to demonstrate both knowledge and competence
- Assessment approach reflects real world application, not just theory
- All assessments are aligned to SFJ requirements
- Ongoing tutor support throughout the course and assessment period
- Guidance provided on assignments, evidence and expectations
- Support tailored to individual learners and their working environment
- Access to experienced instructors with operational backgrounds
- Successful learners are awarded:
- SFJ Awards Level 4 Certificate for Protective Security Advisers (610/5561/X)
- Regulated qualification recognised across the UK
- Approved as a Higher Technical Qualification
- Demonstrates industry recognised knowledge, skills and professional competence
- Provides in house capability to identify and manage protective security risks
- Reduces reliance on external consultants for core risk assessment and planning
- Supports compliance with current and emerging legislation, including Martyn’s Law
- Enables a structured, risk based approach to protecting people, assets and operations
- Improves decision making by giving senior leaders a clear view of security risk
- Strengthens resilience, continuity planning and incident response capability
- Embeds a converged approach across physical, personnel, cyber and technical security
- Demonstrates due diligence and a proactive approach to safety and security
Learning Outcomes
To achieve this qualification, learners must complete 14 mandatory units covering the full spectrum of protective security.
These include:
- Crime and Security Science
- Legislation and Governance
- Asset, Threat and Vulnerability
- Security Risk and Risk Registers
- Physical Security Standards and Mitigations
- Personnel, People and Personal Security
- Technical and Cyber Security
- Incident Response and Management
- Investigations
- Security as a Business Enabler
- Communication and Professional Practice
The qualification is built around developing an understanding of
- How threats are formed through intent and capability
- How vulnerabilities exist across systems, people and infrastructure
- How risk is assessed, recorded and communicated
- How security convergence provides a single, joined up view of risk
Learners will also develop the ability to:
- Produce security risk assessments and registers
- Design protective security plans
- Apply national guidance and standards
- Influence decision making at senior level
At its core, this course develops professionals who can connect the dots across security disciplines, not just operate within one of them.
Who Is This Course For?
This qualification is suitable for those who are either operating in, or moving towards, an advisory role within security and risk.
This includes:
- Security professionals stepping into advisory or strategic roles
- Police or military personnel transitioning into civilian security careers
- In house security managers responsible for organisational risk
- Consultants supporting clients across multiple sectors
- Those responsible for protective security, resilience or risk management
There are no formal pre entry requirements, however learners must be able to operate at Level 4 and complete the required assessments.
What matters most is mindset.
This course is for those who want to move beyond basic security measures and understand how to design, justify and deliver protective security at a higher level.
Frequently asked questions
An Ofqual regulated Level 4 qualification from SFJ Awards for people who advise organisations on protective security. It is an approved Higher Technical Qualification.
The National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and UK NACE.
Security professionals moving into advisory roles, and anyone who advises on protective security risk, including under Martyn’s Law.
Five classroom days followed by virtual CPD days, 200 hours of total qualification time. £2,250 + VAT per person.
Through a portfolio of evidence, written coursework and assignments, practical work based outputs and a professional discussion.
Yes. We run private courses at your venue or ours, usually for a minimum of six people. Virtual and hybrid options are also available.
- Duration 5 classroom days, then a series of virtual CPD days (200 hours total qualification time)
- Level Level 4, Ofqual regulated, approved Higher Technical Qualification
- Price £2,250 + VAT per person
- Delivery Open courses across the UK, virtual or hybrid options, or a private course for your team
- Awarding Body SFJ Awards
- Entry requirements No formal requirements, but you must be able to work at Level 4
- Start Date See dates below
Upcoming course dates
Ready to book?
One Qualification. Real Capability. Real Peace of Mind.
The Level 4 PSA means you can give protective security advice that stands up to scrutiny, from the first site visit to the final recommendation.
Price: £2,250 + VAT Per person
Group discounts available · Bespoke company courses on request
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