About us

ProtectUK is the trusted and reliable source for counter terrorism protective security training and information for public spaces and venues across the United Kingdom.

As part of NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office), we provide free and easy access to security and preparedness advice, guidance and e-Learning.

Our mission  

Our mission is to help businesses and communities understand protective security, improve their response to the risk of terrorism and keep people safe.  

We support all businesses, government and community organisations in the public and private sectors.

ProtectUK website

ProtectUK hosts freely available counter terrorism and protective security advice. You can access the latest and best guidance for you and your organisation at no cost.  

Whether it’s information about how to protect your staff and prepare them to be safe and secure in their work, or to ensure your business keeps moving after an incident happens, you will find the most trusted preparedness materials on ProtectUK.  

Our information helps you to improve your organisation’s risk management. You can perform a risk assessment by using the steps outlined on our Risk Management Process section.  

Our training materials

You, your staff or an organisation’s members can get interactive with our training materials, completing our award-winning ACT Awareness e-Learning to improve your security knowledge.  

Register to get full access to our website and get the most out of ProtectUK. 

National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is a police-hosted unit within the National Counter Terrorism Police Headquarters (CTPHQ).

We are a government agency responsible for counter terrorism, security and protection on a national level. 

We support the Protect and Prepare strands of the government’s counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST). We provide the Protect and Prepare network with operational advice and resources for public events, in response to national security threats or following a terrorist-related incident.  

We work in partnership with government and industry and utilise a network of approximately 190 Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs), who work within local police forces.

We are also responsible for the delivery of ProtectUK, working to improve awareness and providing security advice and guidance in:

• Venues and Public Spaces (VaPS) throughout the UK  
• Hazardous sites and dangerous substances  
• Critical national infrastructure  
• Personal security  

The Home Office is the lead government department for crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police, immigration and passports, and drugs policy. 

It is supported by 30 agencies and public bodies to deliver on key responsibilities including keeping the United Kingdom safe from the threat of terrorism and ensuring people feel safe in their homes and communities.

As part of the ProtectUK project the Home Office provides strategic support and oversight, working closely with partners to deliver advice and guidance to help ensure businesses can take steps to mitigate the risks of terrorism.