SRM joins forces with Guardian Jobs to launch the National Vetting Certificate

New National Vetting Certificate (NVC) will help applicants stand out from the crowd by demonstrating their integrity to potential employers

SRM (www.srm-solutions.com), a leader in information risk management, business continuity, and secure IT service delivery, has today announced that it has teamed up with Guardian Jobs, the dedicated jobsite from the Guardian Media Group, to launch the National Vetting Certificate.

The NVC will help to address the Catch 22 problem that currently plagues the recruitment process: many job applicants are unable to go through the vetting process without first taking up a position with an employer, but many employers are unable to recruit an applicant unless they have already been vetted. This situation has arisen in part due to the fact employers are facing greater demands for better security, both to reduce internal risk and comply with regulation, and also partly due to the fact they can no longer rely on implied trust i.e. simply believing an applicant is who they claim to be.

Unfortunately, the days of implicit trust have long gone. According to a survey for BERR in 2008 by Price Waterhouse Coopers, in association with Symantec, HP, and The Security Company (International) Ltd, The report, called 2008 Information Security Breaches Survey, states that 39% of security breaches within large businesses were due to staff misuse of information systems.

Understandably, employers are therefore much more cautious about employing someone who has not been vetted to a recognised and sufficient standard; as a result, applicants are under pressure to prove their identity prior to application.

The NVC meets the BS7858 Code of Practice and solves the vetting Catch 22 by enabling applicants to prove their identity and other details without first needing to be employed. This in turn enables them to apply for positions requiring such proof. On being presented with an NVC an employer can verify it on a secure online national database. Once the NVC has been verified, an employer will then be able to make a more informed decision about the applicantís suitability. Combined, the NVC and the ability to verify it gives employers an independent and auditable level of security in the recruitment process, helping to reduce the risks they face and to better meet the demands of internal governance and compliance criteria.

Modern companies have a moral and legal requirement to protect their assets, their staff, and their shareholders when it comes to recruiting new personnel, says Stephen Brown, Chief Executive Officer, SRM. As a result, it will soon be unthinkable to hire someone who doesn't have a valid, up-to-date NVC listed on their CV alongside details of their other qualifications, work history, and education.

The NVC will allow job applicants to prove their identity, verify their education, and certify their background for employment purposes. Not only does the NVC meet British Standard 7858, it is the only national vetting certificate to carry a UKAS-accredited stamp and is supported and certified by the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) as best-practice for staff vetting.

The NVC is a great way for any job candidate wanting to make their CV stand out, something which in the current market could be crucial in helping them to get their CV to the top of the pile, says Matthew Chapman, Partnerships Manager, Guardian Jobs. And for employers, the NVC is a great way of differentiating between candidates – it will allow them to make a quicker, more informed and smarter decision.

The NVC is valid for three years from the date of issue, and includes the following checks:

* Five-year address verification
* Credit Check - County Court Judgement, Insolvency, Bankruptcy search
* ID verification (Passport)
* Written five-year employment history verification
* Two personal references
* Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Basic Disclosure
* Terrorist Files & Sanctions check

The NVC will be especially important for job applicants who are seeking positions that will require them to handle customer data or other sensitive information, as it will provide instant, independent proof of both their identity and integrity.

Applicants interested in ordering an NVC can access the service via a secure online application form available at both the main Guardian Jobs website: www.jobs.guardian.co.uk, as well as www.thenvc.co.uk, a dedicated site launched specifically to support the NVC programme.