Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:51 PM AWST

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Communicate security awareness

Communicate security awareness

Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSEC506A
State Code
C8328
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
01/11/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers security awareness raising to improve government security management. It includes planning and designing security awareness activities, promoting security management, developing and nurturing cooperative client relationships, conducting security activities and evaluating their success.In practice, communicating security awareness may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector workplace activities such as acting ethically, promoting compliance with legislation, developing client services.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan security awareness activities
  • 1.1 Need for activities is determined, taking into account identified client needs and feedback from clients and staff, and priorities are identified in the organisation's security plan.
  • 1.2 Ideas for new or improved activities are initiated, gathered and assessed, taking into account the human, financial and physical resources required.
  • 1.3 Approval for security awareness activities is obtained in accordance with organisational guidelines.
2. Design security awareness activities
  • 2.1 Individuals and groups are targeted, and formal and informal networks are established and used regularly as communication channels.
  • 2.2 Precedents in security management are incorporated into security awareness activities.
  • 2.3 Effective awareness/information presentations are implemented where required.
  • 2.4 Security awareness activities are linked in an integrated and cohesive manner with organisational ethical and security management standards and guidelines, codes of conduct and include related aspects of corporate policy.
  • 2.5 Security awareness activities are based on a knowledge of the organisation's corporate objectives, core business, the culture of the organisation and a knowledge of the organisation's client base.
3. Promote government security management
  • 3.1 Incidents and effects of non-compliance are publicised in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • 3.2 Information to promote government security management is provided in line with audience needs.
4. Develop and nurture cooperative client relationships
  • 4.1 Expectations of clients and contractors are established and documented.
  • 4.2 Opportunities for establishing contacts and networks with external and internal clients are anticipated in consultation with work colleagues and managers.
  • 4.3 Changes in organisational focus are monitored for effects on organisation-client relationships and action is taken to inform clients of changes in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
  • 4.4 Feedback on organisational activities is obtained and reported within the organisation in accordance with policy and procedures.
  • 4.5 Organisation's security management philosophy, policy and procedures are imparted in a way which facilitates stakeholder understanding.
  • 4.6 Where required, clients are advised when and how they should modify their practices to meet organisational standards.
5. Conduct security management activities
  • 5.1 Security management activities are planned and are feasible within existing resource and time constraints.
  • 5.2 Intended outcomes are identified and are based on realistic expectations of the target audience.
  • 5.3 Activities are varied, refined and adapted as indicated by audience response or by changes in the organisation's security strategy and procedures.
  • 5.4 Adult learning techniques are utilised.
  • 5.5 Security awareness information is linked with codes of conduct and ethical and security management guidelines of the organisation, together with its broader corporate goals.
6. Evaluate success of awareness raising activities
  • 6.1 Security awareness activities are assessed against predetermined objectives.
  • 6.2 Results of evaluation are documented and used as the basis for planning future activities.
  • 6.3 Opportunities for new security awareness activities are identified and acted on as required.
  • 6.4 Evidence, if any, is obtained of a decrease in the level of security breaches as a result of activities.
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.
Needs analysis may include:
consultation with staff, clients, security management networks
Security awareness activities may include:
formal training sessions
briefings
addressing industry groups
consulting groups
Information may include:
security guidelines
instructions
based information
newsletters
written policy manuals and procedures
internal instructions and guidelines
videos, pamphlets, posters
case studies, hypothetical examples
staff orientation processes
training and awareness sessions
conferences and seminars
liaison meetings with clients and stakeholders
Networks may include:
contact with peers or colleagues in or outside own organisation
Stakeholders may include:
internal or external to the organisation
agency staff and senior management
contractors and consultants
other agencies
related program staff
client organisations
industry associations
law enforcement agencies
Decrease in security breaches may be as a result of:
awareness raising and training activities
communicating the organisation's attitude to ethical behaviour and security requirements
using administrative remedies
establishing accessible and confidential reporting channels
publicising agency security practices both within the agency and to clients of the agency
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
PSPGOV505A Promote diversity
PSPGOV511A Provide leadership
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSEC504A Coordinate protective security
PSPSEC505A Protect security classified information
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)
communication of security awareness in a range of (3 or more) contexts
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy and procedures relating to government security management
activities for minimising security breaches
security guidelines
government security management standards
public sector values and codes of conduct
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when communicating security awareness
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 communicating security awareness, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
communication of security awareness in a range of (3 or more) contexts
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
projects
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses, such as session plans, evaluation and feedback documentation
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
AWT31 PSPSEC015 Communicate security awareness Unit of competency
No information