Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Risks/threats may be:
internal
external
national
international
real
perceived
to:
people
property
information
reputation
criminal
terrorist
from foreign intelligence services
from commercial/industrial competitors
from malicious people
Risk review includes:
consideration of current and historical information
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
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
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
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 of threat source/s
opportunity for threat to occur
Consequences may include:
degree of harm
who would be affected and how
how much disruption would occur
damage to:
the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
critical lead time for recovery:
the period of time a function is compromised
critical if the function is vital to the organisation
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
Level of risk may be:
severe
high
major
significant
moderate
low
trivial
Cost-benefit analysis may be against:
existing requirements
future requirements
forecast requirements
Stakeholders may include:
supervisors
managers
other areas within the organisation
other organisations
government
third parties
workgroup
Threat assessment:
is used to provide information about people and events that may pose a threat to a particular resource or function
evaluates and discusses the likelihood of a threat being realised
determines the potential of a threat to actually cause harm
Risk exposure is:
a measure of how open a resource is to harm, or
the potential of a resource to attract harm

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
PSPSEC503A Implement and monitor 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 developed 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 Manual (ISM)
Protective Security Policy Framework
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when developing 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 developing security risk management plans, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
security risk management plans developed 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
simulation or role plays
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses, such as security 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