The Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) is a critical requirement for organisations working with UK Government departments, yet it is often misunderstood and inconsistently applied. To help teams navigate the latest guidance, we’ve published a detailed BPSS white paper that breaks the standard down clearly and practically.

In our Compliance with BPSS white paper, we explain what BPSS is, who it applies to, and why it matters. We walk through the four core checks, identity, right to work, employment history and criminal records, and clarify how employment gaps and self-employment should be handled under the current rules. The paper also unpacks the updated “shall, should and can” language introduced in BPSS Version 7.0, helping organisations understand what is mandatory versus advisory.

A key focus of the white paper is employment history verification. It explores the limitations of traditional referencing and explains how the BPSS now explicitly supports digital verification methods. We outline how trusted data sources can be used to verify employment history more quickly, securely and consistently, without relying on slow or unreliable references.

If you are responsible for BPSS screening, advising clients on compliance, or reviewing how checks are carried out today, this white paper provides a clear and practical guide.

👉 Read the full BPSS white paper to understand the requirements and how instant employment data supports compliance.