Nearly 40 years in counter-terrorism has taught me one thing: security starts with awareness. That’s why I believe ACT awareness training is something everyone should consider, regardless of their role or experience.
You don’t need to be a security professional to make a difference. Sometimes, simply recognising that something isn’t right, and knowing what to do about it, could help prevent a serious incident.
Whether you’re working in a hotel, restaurant, office, shopping centre or event venue, you have a role to play in keeping people safe.
And there’s a free online course that can help you do just that.
What Is ACT Awareness Training?
ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness e-Learning is a free online counter-terrorism awareness course supported by Counter Terrorism Policing and available through ProtectUK.
It takes approximately 45 minutes and provides practical guidance on recognising suspicious activity, understanding potential terrorist threats and knowing how to respond appropriately.
No security background required. Just 45 minutes of your time.
Why I Think Everyone Should Do It
Over nearly four decades working in protective security, counter-terrorism and risk management, I’ve seen how important awareness and preparedness can be.
One of the biggest mistakes we can make is assuming security is somebody else’s responsibility.
It isn’t.
Security teams can’t be everywhere. Police officers can’t be on every corner. But there are millions of people going about their daily lives who could recognise something unusual and report it.
Think about it.
Would you recognise the signs of suspicious behaviour?
Would you know what to do if you discovered a suspicious item?
Would you know how to react during a serious security incident?
If you’re not sure, that’s exactly why I believe this course is worth taking.
What About Martyn’s Law?
With the forthcoming implementation of Martyn’s Law the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, businesses, venues and event organisers have even more reason to think seriously about protective security.
But here’s my view: we shouldn’t need legislation to encourage us to take security seriously.
ACT Awareness isn’t a substitute for Martyn’s Law compliance, but it’s a sensible starting point for building a stronger security culture.
And it’s something organisations can encourage their staff to do right now.
My Challenge to You
Give up 45 minutes. Learn something that could make a difference.
It’s free. It’s accessible. And you might just learn something that one day helps protect yourself, your colleagues or someone you’ve never met.
👉 TAKE THE FREE ACT AWARENESS E-LEARNING COURSE
And when you’ve completed it, encourage someone else to do the same.
Awareness costs nothing. Ignoring the risks could cost everything.
At Colian Security, we draw on nearly 40 years of counter-terrorism, protective security and risk management experience to help businesses, venues and event organisers understand risk and improve preparedness.