For more than 700 forward-thinking companies, the answer lies in Secured by Design (SBD). As the official UK police security initiative, SBD offers the only way for products to achieve formal police recognition. It serves as a powerful market differentiator - a clear statement to customers that products are engineered to the highest recognised security standards.
What is Secured by Design?
A boom in housing construction during the 1980s had left a legacy of poorly designed estates where criminal activity could thrive. Recognising that the police service needed to move beyond reactive enforcement, the SBD initiative was created to embed crime prevention directly into the heart of building and landscape design. The driving force behind this success is a national network of police specialists: Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs).
DOCOs are highly trained police staff who provide specialist guidance to architects, developers, and local authority planners. Engaging at the earliest stages of a construction or refurbishment project, they apply proven design principles to minimise criminal opportunity - ranging from optimising natural surveillance to specifying robust physical security products.
The value of SBD membership
Through collaboration with DOCOs, developers can achieve SBD awards for their buildings. Because these standards are now integral to satisfying the official security requirements of Building Regulations across the UK, SBD-accredited products are consistently in high demand.
SBD membership delivers several strategic advantages:
- Official police recognition: SBD is the sole route to achieving UK police endorsement for products via its Police Preferred Specification accreditation scheme
- Specification: SBD-accredited products are the go-to choice for Police DOCOs. They are specified in new builds and major refurbishments daily, creating a consistent demand for your products
- Visibility: SBD members receive a dedicated profile on the SBD website, directly signposting buyers, architects, and large-scale developers to members products
- Industry connections: Membership grants access to the annual ATLAS conference, providing a unique platform to showcase innovations directly to these police officers who advise on security solutions at a local level
The PSTI Act: Turning Regulatory Compliance into Advantage
The security landscape is no longer limited to physical barriers. For door and window manufacturers incorporating smart technology - such as keyless digital locks, status sensors, or smart home automation integrations - the regulatory environment has shifted.
The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act is fully in force and while some manufacturers may not view their products as traditional IoT devices, the legislation defines ‘connectable products’ broadly. In addition, responsibility under the act extends across the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to distributors and retailers.
Compliance is mandatory, and the enforcement body, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), holds the authority to issue substantial penalties for non-compliance. However, proactive businesses are viewing this legislative shift not as a regulatory hurdle, but as an opportunity to build digital trust.
The Secure Connected Device Accreditation
To assist companies in navigating this digital transition, SBD developed the Secure Connected Device accreditation in consultation with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
This rigorous program goes beyond the baseline requirements of the PSTI Act, assessing products against all 13 provisions of the ETSI EN 303 645 standard. Achieving this accreditation grants products the SBD Secure Connected Device accreditation badge, signalling to specifiers that their smart technology is resilient against modern cyber threats. Furthermore, an annual appraisal process ensures continued compliance as cyber threats and government frameworks evolve.
Lead the Market. Gain a Competitive Edge. Become Secured by Design
Secured by Design offers a path to demonstrating excellence in both physical and digital security. By aligning with the UK's official police initiative, you translate a commitment to quality into a market advantage, positioning your products as the trusted choice for specifiers and consumers alike.
For membership details and technical enquiries, visit www.securedbydesign.com
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