Enter the 2023 awards

Entries for 2023 are now closed. Good luck to all those who have entered!

The criteria for the OSPAs entries can be found on this page and are decided centrally by the OSPAs. They are the same across all participating countries. Please note that it is important that all the entry criteria are covered in the submission, as judges can only provide their scores against the information that is submitted on the entry. External links and attachments will not be permitted.

The judges will be responsible for selecting the finalists and winners of each category. Their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The award organisers also reserve the right to not award a category if circumstances deem it necessary.

To enter a category, entrants will be asked to answer 2 questions online (up to 500 words per answer). Nominees may enter themselves or others in multiple categories.

If you would like to see an example entry designed to illustrate how a case can be made and supported, please follow this link.

Nominations are judged on quality, not quantity. Submissions with less than 150 words in total will not be accepted.

Categories

1. Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)

2. Outstanding Security Consultant

3. Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator

4. Outstanding New Security Product

5. Outstanding Risk Management Solution

6. Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer

1. Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)

This OSPA recognises those who are outstanding suppliers of manned security guarding. In the modern world the provision of manned guarding services has become a much more skilled task. Motivating staff, managing resources in an increasingly competitive and price sensitive environment, up-skilling, recognising the distinct importance of front line leadership, making the most of technologies, forging internal and external partnerships and making them work are just some of the trends that are leading to new approaches and thinking about manned guarding. The object of this category is to recognise the outstanding performers in making a positive difference.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the security guarding company and the service it provides, highlighting key distinguishing features. (500 words)
  2. Describe how the security guarding company has displayed outstanding performance and deserves to be recognised with this OSPA. (500 words)

The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing the key distinguishing strengths the company displays
  • Highlighting the business approach, specific skills and tactics that underpin performance 
  • Identifying examples of business success in initiatives, procedures and policies
  • Providing examples of building effective relationships with stakeholders
  • Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained

2. Outstanding Security Consultant

This OSPA recognises the security consultant – individual, team or company – demonstrating outstanding performance in any aspect of security consulting. Consultants often play a key role in security in offering expertise and insight which can transform the quality of service, product or system that is offered. It recognises the existence of distinct skill sets and crucially the ways these are harnessed and managed to make a difference to security strategy and/or practice.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the role and objectives of the consultant and the key factors that reflect outstanding performance. (500 words)
  2. Describe how the security consultant has displayed outstanding performance in terms for example, of leadership skills, a focus on the customer, by adding value or otherwise driving excellence. (500 words)

The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing the ways in which the consultant has driven security performance
  • Highlighting the key distinguishing strengths of the consultant including leadership skills
  • Identifying the ways in which the role has influenced positively wider business operations
  • Providing examples of building effective relationships with key stakeholders
  • Demonstrating business benefits and how they are sustained

3. Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator

This OSPA recognises outstanding performance by security installers/integrators, be that individuals or companies. Excelling at security installations/integrations requires a rounded approach and often skill sets that include security expertise, project management and customer care. Although security installations/integrations are about adding value the precise benefits will vary by type of client and type of installation/integration. This OSPA recognises those who excel at security installations/integrations.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the service the installer/integrator provides, the main areas of outstanding performance, and how these were achieved. (500 words)
  2. Describe the additional value and benefits that were generated for clients and the factors and drivers that enabled the installer/integrator to excel. (500 words)

The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing the key distinguishing strengths the installer/integrator displays
  • Highlighting how new technology and/or innovative techniques have improved performance
  • Identifying the factors that enable staff/leadership to excel
  • Providing examples of client benefits
  • Demonstrating how high performance is sustained

4. Outstanding New Security Product

This OSPA recognises an outstanding new product that has been designed and implemented to improve any area of security practice, and has been introduced to the security market in the last 12 months. The key point about new products is that they have a marked effect on improving security performance; that is that they add value and have clearly identified benefits.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the product and its distinguishing features, and any innovative aspects that enable it to be considered as cutting edge. (500 words)
  2. Evidence how the product is specifically designed to address a market demand, show how the product adds value. (500 words)

The Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing any creative and innovative aspects of the design process
  • Highlighting the distinct features of the product
  • Identifying the impact of the product on clients
  • Providing examples of benefits for customers
  • Demonstrating the ways in which the product adds value

5. Outstanding Risk Management Solution

This OSPA recognises outstanding performance in risk management and threat identification. Risk management solutions identify and manage the risks facing an organisation, which consequently adds value to the client. The winner of this OSPA will have evidenced innovative strengths to the solution, highlighting the ways in which the solution has driven their client’s performance.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the solution and its key objectives and any innovative aspects that have led to its success.(500 words)
  2. Describe how the risk management solution displays outstanding performance and the reasons why it has been successful and if applicable how success will be sustained. (500 words)

The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing the key distinguishing strengths of the solution
  • Highlighting the ways in which the solution has driven client’s performance
  • Identifying the ways in which the solution has identified and managed risks
  • Providing examples of the added value to customers
  • Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained

6. Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer

This OSPA recognises an outstanding manufacturer of products that service the security market. Manufacturers of any security product in any market can enter.  The winner of this OSPA will have shown outstanding performance in manufacturing a leading edge security product (or products), which has produced clear beneficial results for customers.

To enter this category you will be asked to:

  1. Describe the manufacturer and its distinguishing features, and any innovative aspects that enable it to be considered as a cutting edge company. (500 words)
  2. Evidence how the manufacturer produces products that are specifically designed to address a market demand, and show how these products add value to the company and the security industry. (500 words)

The Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:

  • Discussing the key distinguishing strengths the manufacturer displays
  • Highlighting the business approach and how it meets a distinct market demand
  • Identifying examples of business success
  • Providing examples of building effective relationships with stakeholders
  • Demonstrating how high performance and benefits are sustained