Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:18 AM AWST
22/07/2026 4:18 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Implement security risk treatments
Implement security risk treatments
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSEC402A
PSPSEC402A
State Code
C8318
C8318
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/07/2014
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
04/07/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers identification and implementation of security risk treatments. It includes confirming risk decisions identifying security risk treatment options, implementing countermeasures, and monitoring and reviewing the security risk management process. Depending on the size of the organisation, work may be in a discrete area such as information technology or across all areas within the organisation.In practice, implementation of security risk treatments may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as working ethically, complying with legislation, applying government processes, gathering and analysing information, exercising regulatory powers.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Confirm risk decisions
- 1.1 Management decisions determining acceptable and unacceptable risks are confirmed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 1.2 Low-level risks that the organisation decides to accept are noted and monitored to detect changed circumstances .
- 1.3 Unacceptable high-level risks are referred for the development of formal management plans.
- 1.4 Major or significant risks identified as unacceptable are noted for treatment.
2. Identify risk treatments
- 2.1 Treatments are determined that are consistent with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines and the organisation's security plan.
- 2.2 Treatments are determined that are cost-effective and match the level and type of risk and the importance of the function or resource.
- 2.3 Treatments are selected to reduce the likelihood of occurrence or the consequences of the risk, or both.
- 2.4 Continuity plans are included in treatments, where appropriate, in accordance with the security plan.
- 2.5 Treatments are documented and submitted for approval in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
3. Implement countermeasures
- 3.1 A treatment plan is developed and implemented in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 3.2 Implementation of countermeasures is undertaken in accordance with the implementation strategy detailed in the security plan.
- 3.3 Countermeasures are implemented in accordance with timeframe and budgetary requirements.
- 3.4 Countermeasures are implemented in accordance with legal requirements, government and organisational policy.
4. Monitor and review security risk management process
- 4.1 Strategies to monitor risk environment are implemented.
- 4.2 Monitoring is conducted on a regular basis in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 4.3 Risk treatments are evaluated against the objectives of the security plan to ensure these remain effective and/or necessary.
- 4.4 Feedback is obtained from stakeholders on the adequacy and need for current security measures affecting their work/area.
- 4.5 Recommendations for re-examination of security risk or improved risk treatments are conveyed to the appropriate personnel in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Risk may be to:
personnel
information
property
reputation
Acceptable risks are:
those which an organisation has determined have the least potential for harm
Unacceptable risks are:
those which an organisation has determined have the most potential for harm
Sources of security risk may include:
technical
actual events
political circumstances
human behaviour
environmental
conflict
terrorism
internal
external
local
national
international
Level of risk may be:
severe
high
major
significant
moderate
low
trivial
Treatment options may include:
addition of security measures
reduction of security measures
avoiding the risk through change of practice
acceptance of residual risk
minimisation of harm through response mechanisms
accepting the risk
Likelihood of risk may be determined through analysis of:
current controls to deter, detect or prevent harm
effectiveness of current controls
level of exposure
threat assessment
determination of threat source/s
competence (capability and intent) of threat source/s
Consequences may include:
what constitutes harm
degree of harm
who would be affected and how
how much disruption would occur
levels that are:
extreme
very high
medium
low
negligible
Continuity plans:
may lessen the adverse consequences of risk
provide a set of planned procedures that enable organisations to continue or recover services to the government and the public with minimal disruption over a given period, irrespective of the source of the disruption
Treatment plans may include:
responsibilities
schedules
expected outcomes
budget information
performance measures
monitoring process
Countermeasures may include:
revision of agency security plan
upgrade of existing security
installation of new security measures
technical controls
training
personnel-oriented
information-oriented
property-oriented
reputation-oriented
Legal requirements, government and organisational policy may include:
Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation including equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety, privacy and anti-discrimination law
access and equity
ethics and accountability
national and international codes of practice and standards
the organisation's policies and practices
government policy
codes of conduct/codes of ethics
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and Guidelines
Strategies may include:
audits
incident reporting mechanisms
technical controls
systems
rosters
access controls
training
Monitoring may include:
regular checking
critical observation
regular recording
information, such as threat assessments, from senior management
reports from business units on current security measures
identification of changes over time such as:
notification of major changes to business or corporate goals or plans
notification of key projects
Stakeholders may include:
supervisors
managers
other areas within the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
Risk may be to:
personnel
information
property
reputation
Acceptable risks are:
those which an organisation has determined have the least potential for harm
Unacceptable risks are:
those which an organisation has determined have the most potential for harm
Sources of security risk may include:
technical
actual events
political circumstances
human behaviour
environmental
conflict
terrorism
internal
external
local
national
international
Level of risk may be:
severe
high
major
significant
moderate
low
trivial
Treatment options may include:
addition of security measures
reduction of security measures
avoiding the risk through change of practice
acceptance of residual risk
minimisation of harm through response mechanisms
accepting the risk
Likelihood of risk may be determined through analysis of:
current controls to deter, detect or prevent harm
effectiveness of current controls
level of exposure
threat assessment
determination of threat source/s
competence (capability and intent) of threat source/s
Consequences may include:
what constitutes harm
degree of harm
who would be affected and how
how much disruption would occur
levels that are:
extreme
very high
medium
low
negligible
Continuity plans:
may lessen the adverse consequences of risk
provide a set of planned procedures that enable organisations to continue or recover services to the government and the public with minimal disruption over a given period, irrespective of the source of the disruption
Treatment plans may include:
responsibilities
schedules
expected outcomes
budget information
performance measures
monitoring process
Countermeasures may include:
revision of agency security plan
upgrade of existing security
installation of new security measures
technical controls
training
personnel-oriented
information-oriented
property-oriented
reputation-oriented
Legal requirements, government and organisational policy may include:
Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation including equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety, privacy and anti-discrimination law
access and equity
ethics and accountability
national and international codes of practice and standards
the organisation's policies and practices
government policy
codes of conduct/codes of ethics
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and Guidelines
Strategies may include:
audits
incident reporting mechanisms
technical controls
systems
rosters
access controls
training
Monitoring may include:
regular checking
critical observation
regular recording
information, such as threat assessments, from senior management
reports from business units on current security measures
identification of changes over time such as:
notification of major changes to business or corporate goals or plans
notification of key projects
Stakeholders may include:
supervisors
managers
other areas within the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information
PSPGOV422A Apply government processes
PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPREG401C Exercise regulatory powers
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
implementation of security risk treatments in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the implementation of security risk treatments
organisational standards and documentation
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when implementing security risk treatments
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when implementing security risk treatments, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
implementation of security risk treatments in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses, such as a risk management plan
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information
PSPGOV422A Apply government processes
PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPREG401C Exercise regulatory powers
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
implementation of security risk treatments in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to the implementation of security risk treatments
organisational standards and documentation
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when implementing security risk treatments
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when implementing security risk treatments, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
implementation of security risk treatments in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses, such as a risk management plan
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWT43 | PSPSEC006 | Implement security risk treatments | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J294 | PSP41712 | Certificate IV in Government (Personnel Security) | Qualification |
| J293 | PSP41612 | Certificate IV in Government (Security) | Qualification |