National Diploma in Security (Level 6)
The purpose of the National Diploma in Security (Level 6) is to provide a benchmark professional qualification for Security Managers and executives in both the public and private sectors. The associated learning and assessment programme enables established security professionals and those who seek advancement or employment in the security sector to gain this qualification.
The qualification comprises five compulsory requirements and one or more elective options. Further options related to specialised security issues are planned. The Diploma is a competency-based qualification. Competence is measured against defined standards and criteria, based on evidence presented by the completion of practical workbased tasks and activities rather than by tests of theoretical knowledge.
The Diploma was developed by the Expert Working Group (EWG) of the Security Industry Training Advisory Board (SITAB) in New Zealand which includes both private and public sector representation. The qualification is a specialist qualification covering security related subjects rather than general management or business issues.
The Diploma is relevant to those who may have completed other security qualifications, and those who have no specialist security knowledge or skills but nevertheless seek direct access to a security qualification at this relatively high level. The Diploma is registered as a national qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Diploma learning and assessment programmes are delivered only by NZQA registered providers accredited to deliver Level 6 security programmes.
Who Will Benefit?
The National Diploma in Security is a professional qualification specifically designed for security managers, executives, consultants, and other security practitioners working in both the public and private sectors. This includes:
- Commercial Security Service Companies
- Government Departments & Organisations
- Security Consultants
- Security Investigators
- Risk Managers & Assessors
While the Diploma programme, and its individual modules, may be geared to meet the needs of specific employment contexts and organisations, the core competencies gained from the programme are relevant to a range of employment sectors, including Policing and the Military.
Duration
As the Diploma is an open learning programme, and working and personal circumstances may differ, a personal development plan is structured for each participant. This sets agreed timeframes and the sequence in which modules are completed. This may be done within the framework of a group programme. As a guide, it is expected that a full Diploma programme would be planned for a period of from 12 to 18 months.
Delivery & Assessment
Diploma programmes are delivered in a flexible mix of self-paced or directed distance learning, workshops, practical workplace learning and experience, and individual support, structured to meet the needs and circumstances of participants and employers. The National Diploma in Security is a competency-based qualification that requires candidates to demonstrate, generally in practical terms, the knowledge and skills covered by the qualification.
To illustrate this with regard to security surveys, candidates are required to produce two fully documented security surveys for assessment purposes as evidence of their competence. The surveys are measured against the unit standard to which they relate in an assessment procedure conducted by an expert panel of nominated assessors.
Diploma Content
This Diploma consists of Compulsory Modules and Elective Modules. You must complete the Compulsory Modules below totaling 100 credits and a minimum of 25 credits for the Elective Modules. Each unit costs €500, giving a total cost of €3,500.
| Module | Title | Credits | Level |
| 1 | Interpret and apply security related law | 20 | 5 |
| 2 | Conduct security surveys | 15 | 5 |
| 3 | Produce security risk assessments | 20 | 6 |
| 4 | Develop security policy and procedure | 25 | 6 |
| 5 | Develop operational security plans | 20 | 6 |
| 6 | Manage the application of security principles, practices, and procedure | 15 | 6 |
| 7 | Conduct security interviews | 10 | 5 |
| 8 | Apply security techniques, hardware, and systems to secure given risk situations | 25 | 6 |
| 9 | Manage critical incidents as a security practitioner | 20 | 6 |
| 10 | Conduct security investigations | 20 | 6 |
| 11 | Provide advice on special security risks | 20 | 5 |
| 12 | Demonstrate knowledge of the threat presented by terrorism and related risk management strategies | 20 | 5 |
Compulsory Modules
Elective Modules ( complete 2 )
