BS7858 Security Screening Standard and Zinc Background Check Packages

BS7858 sets the standard for the security screening process of employees in a security environment where the safety of people, goods or property is essential. This is a standard in the **United Kingdom** **only** but you can replicate the checks inside a package to fit your needs globally. To create a package, click [here](https://help.zincwork.com/hc/hm54ky7yrc/article/0576f8aa-how-to-create-a-new-check-package-in-zinc) for more guidance. ## What checks are required for BS7858? ### Right to Work check ### Identity check ### Address check ### Credit check ### Sanctions check ### Directorship check ### Criminal record check - For licensed roles, the criminal check must be conducted directly by SIA. For all other roles, it must be completed to the highest legally available level. You can find out more on the different levels for a DBS check [here](https://help.zincwork.com/hc/hm54ky7yrc/article/c23b0261-which-dbs-criminal-check-level-is-right-for-you-basic-standard-and-enhanced-explained). ### Employment Verification/References check - This check needs to be conducted over a minimum of the past five years of employment and any gaps in employment over 31+ days need to be verified. - BS7858:2019 specifies that while most roles require the baseline 5‑year history, in 'higher risk, or high value, security sensitive roles,' **a 10‑year employment/activity history check is expected.** That includes **security staff involved in Cash & Valuables in Transit** - BS7872 mandates **10 years** vetting for relevant personnel too. - To streamline this process, we recommend using **Employment Verification via the HMRC** which you can enable within the package creation process. BS7858 specifically allows for HMRC records as a single source of truth so it's a great way to speed up this process. - Where such HMRC data **is not available**, two separate forms of documentary evidence from independent sources are needed to confirm the individual’s activity during the period in question which you can set up with [Unified Referencing](https://help.zincwork.com/hc/hm54ky7yrc/article/48f75360-unified-referencing-setup-and-use-multiple-reference-types-for-candidate-verification). - To find out more about the reference types we have at Zinc click [here](https://help.zincwork.com/hc/hm54ky7yrc/article/9e78e89d-what-reference-types-are-offered-at-zinc) for more information. ### Professional qualification check* - **This is only required for licensed security officers (an SIA licence check)**, but best practice outside of security would be to apply the same logic to any professional body registration applicable for the role. --- All of these checks can be selected when creating a new check package on Zinc to fulfil the BS7858 screening requirement.