No. BARS Training Australia does not deliver the CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations as a fully online course. The qualification contains numerous practical skills that students must personally demonstrate, including first aid, communication, conflict management, defensive techniques, use of security equipment, screening and practical security procedures.

BARS has chosen to combine self-paced pre-course workbook learning with compulsory face-to-face training and assessment. The increasing use of artificial intelligence to complete online assessments has also reinforced our view that practical security competency should be demonstrated personally to a qualified and experienced facilitator, rather than relying heavily on computer-based assessment. Security operates in an increasingly litigious environment, and security officers may later be required to explain or defend their actions following a serious incident.

Facilitators can also be called upon to provide evidence about training and assessment undertaken by a student. In those circumstances, having your competency personally observed and assessed by an experienced security professional provides a much stronger and more defensible assessment process than relying solely on online activities where questions may arise about who actually completed the assessment. BARS would therefore caution prospective students about security courses promoted as predominantly or entirely online. Before enrolling, ask how practical skills such as first aid, control and restraint techniques, radio communication, screening, the use of metal detectors and, where relevant to additional security training, the safe handling and use of firearms are actually taught, practised and assessed.

Technology can be an excellent learning support tool, but for practical security training, BARS believes there is still no substitute for being trained and assessed face-to-face by an experienced security professional.