Employment

VeriFi – The National Network of CCTV Auditors are recruiting Independent Freelance Associates.

VeriFi has been created by Video Management Services in response to the market driven need for professional, reliable and cost effective auditing of CCTV systems to Data Protection Act requirements and BS7958 recommendations.

Video Management Services (VMS) have over 10 years experience in providing CCTV audit services and are recognised as the market leader in provision of CCTV compliance documentation and recording media.

There is no doubt that responsible CCTV users are aware of the need for credible, viable CCTV evidence, why else would they invest millions of pounds every year installing systems.

All too often evidence is found not fit for purpose through poor system performance or procedural errors that could have been avoided if the basic principles of the Data Protection Act had been applied and an Operational Requirement established at the outset.

Extreme cases of Data Protection Act non compliance could result in a fine or even imprisonment for the person responsible for the system.  Such Draconian measures are rarely imposed; the more significant risk is that recorded evidence is inadequate or inadmissible.

Cases involving Employment Law, Health & Safety, Insurance Claims and a myriad of other issues put businesses at far greater financial risk than the remote likelihood a financial penalty imposed by the Info rmation Commissioner’s Office.  

British Standard 7958, Home Office Operational Requirements Manual, Info rmation Commissioners CCTV Code of Practice, all variously make reference to the need for a CCTV Policy and Annual Audit and Report.

Many CCTV Codes of Practice have been developed by organisations throughout the industry, all are good, but by their very nature only serve to give guidance and leave the end user to develop their own CCTV Policy and Management Documentation. 

No need to reinvent the wheel VMS specialise in stock solutions.

VMS have over ten years experience in developing an extensive range of CCTV Management Documentation which is used throughout the market place in environments as diverse as Shopping Malls and Prisons. In addition we have developed a unique Site Specific CCTV Policy that incorporates both Annual Audit and Report facilities.

CCTV Audit of image quality can only be cost effectively achieved by subjective professional assessment.

At VMS we work in the real world where financial constraints do not normally allow for time consuming objective measurement of image quality in the audit process. A VMS Associate will have had expert training in subjectively assessing CCTV performance and can confidently state whether or not an image is fit for purpose.

A Home Office recommended Operational Requirement (Design Brief) is an optimum benchmark to audit against, but the reality is that such a document is unlikely to be available. The VMS VeriFi audit document is structured to enable a professional to make an assessment and statement of achieved performance and relevance to the purpose of the system. 

An Exception Report is integral to the audit document; any areas of non compliance are described in this section together with recommended remedial actions.

Multiple Site national CCTV users demand a common National Solution delivered in a reliable cost conscious manner.

Multiple site CCTV users are in the business of providing a service or retailing, they are only truly effective at managing their business if they have common operating policies throughout.

A VMS CCTV Policy that incorporates Annual Audit and Report will ensure that everyone within their organisation is singing from the same Hymn sheet.  Similarly VMS standard management documentation is made available to ensure that common procedures will result in Data Protection Act compliant credible evidence.

Delivery of a cost effective service throughout the UK is made possible through a national network of security professionals operating under the VMS commercial umbrella as VeriFi Associates.  The geographical spread ensures minimum travelling costs and maximum value to the end user.

VeriFi provides added value to the CCTV End User and revenue generating opportunities for the VeriFi Associate.

The VeriFi program has been developed to succeed through delivering Unique Selling Propositions to the end user that will create further revenue generating opportunities for the VeriFi Associate, these include;

Management Documentation, Media Supplies & CCTV Signage

VMS is well known by security professionals as the originators of an extensive range of CCTV management documentation and recording media. From a simple small system management pack to a comprehensive control room management suite VMS are able to supply ‘off the shelf’ or ‘bespoke’ solutions. VMS recording media is supplied indelibly printed with Unique Reference Numbers (URN’s) to ensure a robust audit trail is achievable. A bespoke printing service enables the end users logo and other information to be printed on media if required.

Evidence Download Service

It is often difficult for multiple branch retail operations to ensure availability of staff capable of downloading evidence from recording equipment.

The need is probably infrequent and although the services of a CCTV installer can be called upon it is not always certain that the engineer attending is aware of compliance procedures.

In certain cases it is possible this task must be accomplished discreetly in the presence of an area manager perhaps.

Examples;

i)   The petrol forecourt manager is new to the site and does not have a clue how to operate the    recording equipment and is attempting to deal with his first drive off!

ii)  There is suspicion of fraud, the manager is implicated and there is a need for evidence to be discreetly downloaded.

VeriFi Associates are technically competent, trained in procedures and above all discreet and depending on the degree of urgency we can respond with someone on site to suit the requirement in the most cost effective manner

Evidence Presentation Editing

Evidence presented in an easily assimilated logical format is likely to achieve a successful result, whereas raw video footage that relies on poorly assembled clips is likely to confuse those called upon to make an interpretation and judgement.

VMS provide a professional Evidence Presentation Editing Service; an important case that relies upon video evidence would benefit from production of a clear cut presentation with narrative sub-titles backed up by the original working and archive copies. The VeriFi Associate will liaise between the end user and VMS Technical Services by providing a storyboard brief in the first instance.

Video Forensic Services

VMS provide a professional Video Forensics Service; the VeriFi Associate will liaise between the end user and VMS Technical Services when images are found to be lacking in clarity and rejected as being not fit for evidence purposes or there is evidence of tampering.

The services offered by VeriFi are specific to the post installation lifetime of CCTV systems.  VeriFi has a specific niche in the market it is not in our business model to design systems or install and maintain them.

Impartial and Independent are two important watchwords; no members of the VeriFi team have any undisclosed commercial interests and all have signed up to the VeriFi Associate Agreement which incorporates a strictly enforced Code of Practice.

It is important that the auditor will have no financial interest in the outcome of the audit in order that the client can confidently implement any recommendation; it is for this reason that the preferred VeriFi Associate profile excludes system integrators and manufacturers.

VMS do not maintain a field sales force and there are significant sales opportunities for the VeriFi Associate to follow up on sales opportunities with major end users including; Local Authorities, Commercial, Retail, Government, NHS & Prisons

Whilst the VeriFi Associate Agreement is current any service business introduced will be subject to a finders fee that will be payable to the Associate for the lifetime of the contract, VMS product orders placed via the Associate will attract a commission as will repeat business

Launch Date

We have targeted May 2010, but a limited service will be available in the intervening period,

Standards

BSIA membership is an important element in the VeriFi strategy and in order to achieve this we must first achieve ISO9000 certification, this is not easily fast tracked, but it is an important element of our business model and we hope to have this in place by the time of the commercial launch.

Marketing Support

Unlike a new business start-up you will commence with the advantage of an established service and product range. There will probably be existing accounts for you to develop as well as having the opportunity to introduce VMS products and VeriFi services to your existing contacts and prospects in your area.

For our part we will be undertaking national marketing initiatives that will result in qualified leads for you to follow up in your exclusive territory together with orders for VeriFi audits and associated services that we will generate from national organisations.

VeriFi Associates have to be in it for the long term, there are no promises of overnight success, but provided that you are enthusiastic and prepared to devote time and effort you will grow a worthwhile sustainable business.

VeriFi is virtually a Free Franchise, but available only to a limited number of suitably qualified individuals who have a significant knowledge and experience of CCTV from previous employment in the electronic security industry or Police.

So why don’t VMS sell VeriFi as a franchise?

The answer is simple; for VeriFi to be viable, we at VMS must first establish a national network before we can expect to sell the service to national CCTV users.

We are not naïve enough to expect you to invest your hard earned cash in an unproven franchise model.

The VeriFi Associate has a unique opportunity to develop the business into what can ultimately be *sold as a valuable franchise allowing you to exit with a useful nest egg.

* Subject to terms and conditions contained in the VeriFi Associate Agreement

The Next Step?

Click here to complete and send a VeriFi Associate Preliminary Application Form this will enable us to quickly ascertain if we have a position in your geographical area and whether your skills and background fit the VeriFi Associate profile.