Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:13 AM AWST
22/07/2026 4:13 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 and monitor security risk management plans
Implement and monitor security risk management plans
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSEC503A
PSPSEC503A
State Code
C8325
C8325
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/07/2014
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
22/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers implementation and monitoring of security risk management plans. It includes implementing a security plan, monitoring the risk environment and evaluating the security plan.In practice, implementation and monitoring of security risk management plans may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, promoting compliance with legislation, developing client services, undertaking research and analysis.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Implement security plan
- 1.1 Security risks are treated/countermeasures are implemented in accordance with the security plan.
- 1.2 Security plan is implemented to meet timeframe and budgetary requirements.
- 1.3 Countermeasures are implemented in compliance with legal requirements, government and organisational policy.
- 1.4 Residual risks are documented and monitored.
2. Monitor the risk environment
- 2.1 Strategies to monitor the risk environment are determined and documented.
- 2.2 Security risks, and the type/s and source/s of threats are monitored to detect changing circumstances that may alter risk management priorities.
- 2.3 Monitoring is conducted on a regular basis in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 2.4 Changes to the organisation are monitored to identify circumstances where re-examination of the security environment becomes necessary.
- 2.5 Results of monitoring are documented and acted on.
3. Evaluate security plan
- 3.1 Risk treatments are monitored to gauge whether they are being implemented properly and fully.
- 3.2 Treatments are evaluated against the objectives of the security plan to ensure they remain effective and/or necessary.
- 3.3 Feedback is obtained from stakeholders on the adequacy and need for current security measures affecting their work area.
- 3.4 Weaknesses in the security plan are identified and addressed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 3.5 Security plan is reviewed on an on-going basis, as a result of incidents, breaches, and changes in circumstances.
- 3.6 Security plan is updated in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines to reflect current circumstances.
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.
Security risks may include:
internal
external
national
international
real
perceived
to:
people
property
information
reputation
criminal
terrorist
from foreign intelligence services
from commercial/industrial competitors
from malicious people
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
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and Guidelines
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
Residual risks are:
those that cannot be treated
Strategies may include:
audits
incident reporting mechanisms
technical controls
systems
rosters
access controls
training
Type of risk may include:
severe
high
major
significant
moderate
low
trivial
Sources of threats may include:
technical
actual events
political circumstances
human behaviour
environmental
conflict
terrorism
internal
external
local
national
international
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
Risk treatments 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
Stakeholders may include:
supervisors
managers
other areas within the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
external contractors
Security risks may include:
internal
external
national
international
real
perceived
to:
people
property
information
reputation
criminal
terrorist
from foreign intelligence services
from commercial/industrial competitors
from malicious people
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
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and Guidelines
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
Residual risks are:
those that cannot be treated
Strategies may include:
audits
incident reporting mechanisms
technical controls
systems
rosters
access controls
training
Type of risk may include:
severe
high
major
significant
moderate
low
trivial
Sources of threats may include:
technical
actual events
political circumstances
human behaviour
environmental
conflict
terrorism
internal
external
local
national
international
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
Risk treatments 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
Stakeholders may include:
supervisors
managers
other areas within the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
external contractors
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:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV502B Develop client services
PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSEC501A Assess security risks
PSPSEC502A Develop security risk management plans
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)
security risk management plans implemented and monitored in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to security risk management plans
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when implementing and monitoring security risk management plans
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 and monitoring security risk management plans, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
security risk management plans implemented and monitored in a range of (2 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 reviewed security 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/or 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:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV502B Develop client services
PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSEC501A Assess security risks
PSPSEC502A Develop security risk management plans
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)
security risk management plans implemented and monitored in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to security risk management plans
Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when implementing and monitoring security risk management plans
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 and monitoring security risk management plans, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
security risk management plans implemented and monitored in a range of (2 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 reviewed security 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/or apply the competency in different situations or environments
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWT32 | PSPSEC013 | Implement and monitor security risk management plans | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W996 | CSC50112 | Diploma of Correctional Administration | Qualification |
| AWH7 | CSC50115 | Diploma of Correctional Administration | Qualification |
| J313 | PSP51812 | Diploma of Government (Security) | Qualification |