What MSS Global does

MSS Global is a UK-based certification body founded in 2011 that provides independent ethical assurance, certification, and training services to organizations operating in high-risk and regulated environments. The company is the only certification body globally accredited by UKAS under the IAF MLA framework to deliver ISO 18788, ANSI/ASIS PSC.1, and ISO 28007 certification for security operations with human rights embedded. Its core offerings span specialist security standards (ISO 18788 for land-based private security, PSC-1 for private security company operations, ISO 28000 and ISO 28007 for supply chain and maritime security), travel risk management certification (ISO 31030), and common management system standards (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 37001). Supporting products include the free SureStart gap analysis tool, a phased Recognized Progression learning programme, an Education Suite priced at $500, and ESG toolkits covering human rights due diligence, anti-bribery, and modern slavery compliance.

The business operates a direct, consultative enterprise sales model targeting private security companies, government agencies, multilateral organizations, and multinational corporations. Revenue is generated primarily through per-engagement audit fees calculated by auditor days, with 33-50% non-refundable upfront payments, supplemented by recurring annual surveillance audits within 3-year certification cycles. A unique 3-for-1 bundling offer delivers ISO 18788 + PSC-1 + ISO 9001 certification for the price of a single audit. The company has delivered audits across 60+ countries with services available in 7 languages, supported by a distributed network of specialist lead auditors and a core management team that actively participates in ISO standards development committees. Strategic partnerships include a collaboration with International SOS Foundation for travel risk management certification and affiliations with ICoCA, SCEG, and ISOA industry bodies.

Name

MSS Global

Legal name

MSS Global Ltd

Website

https://mssglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MSS Global is a UK-based certification body, founded in 2011, that delivers internationally accredited ISO certifications (ISO 18788, PSC-1, ISO 28000, ISO 28007, ISO 31030) and ethical assurance services to private security companies, government agencies, and multinational organizations operating in high-risk environments globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Systems Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Standards Development & Standardization Bodies (BPADANAA), Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD), Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• ISO certification services
• Security operations certification
• Ethical assurance auditing
• Travel risk management certification
• Supply chain security certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Cartmel

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Services: Primary revenue stream from conducting audits and issuing certifications against international standards including ISO 18788, ISO 28000, ISO 28007, ISO 31030, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 37001, and PSC-1. Fees are based on auditor days, with 33-50% upfront payment required.
2. Education and Training Products: Sale of education suites, learning materials, and structured support programmes. Education Suite priced at $500 one-time payment. Recognized Progression programme offered at affordable rates compared to consultants.
3. Gap Analysis and Support Services: SureStart gap analysis tool is free for contracted clients. Additional support services include second-party due diligence assessments and supplier assurance audits.
4. Surveillance and Recertification: Ongoing surveillance audits (annual minimum) and recertification services at the end of 3-year certificate validity periods, generating recurring revenue from certified clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MSS Global is an accredited certification body that audits and certifies organizations against international management system standards including ISO 18788, PSC-1, ISO 28000, ISO 28007, ISO 31030, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 37001. It also delivers ethical assurance services such as Anti-Human Trafficking Accreditation, human rights due diligence, second-party due diligence, and ESG toolkits, supported by educational products including the SureStart gap analysis, Recognized Progression course, and Education Suite.

Product overview

MSS Global operates as a certification body offering internationally recognized certification across specialized and common management system standards. Their core certification portfolio includes specialist security standards (ISO 18788 for land security, PSC-1 for private security operations, ISO 28000/28007 for supply chain and maritime security, ISO 31030 for travel risk management) and common management standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 37001). They also provide ethical assurance services including Anti-Human Trafficking Accreditation, human rights due diligence, and ESG toolkits. Supporting these certifications, MSS Global offers educational support through SureStart (free gap analysis tool), Recognized Progression (phased learning course), and Education Suite (complete learning resources). The company operates the only IAF MLA-accredited certification body qualified to audit and certify security operations with human rights embedded, recognized by ICoCA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISO 18788 Certification Land security certification for private security companies providing credibility and demonstrating effective management from Board level to physical delivery, with human rights protection embedded.
• PSC-1 Certification ANSI/ASIS PSC.1 quality of private security company operations certification that provides confidence in the quality and professionalism of security firms, recognized by ICoCA.
• ISO 28000 Certification Supply chain security management system certification that helps organizations manage security risks across their supply chain from Board level to physical delivery.
• ISO 28007 Certification Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies providing privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, covering armed guard deployment and supply chain risk management.
• ISO 31030 Certification Travel Risk Management certification developed in collaboration with International SOS Foundation, demonstrating commitment to employee safety and Duty of Care.
• ISO 9001 Certification Quality management system certification providing senior management with the ability to demonstrate effective control and meet tender requirements.
• ISO 14001 Certification Environmental management system certification helping organizations identify environmental aspects and develop credible mitigation and management approaches.
• ISO 45001 Certification Health and Safety Management System certification that helps organizations implement and demonstrate sound occupational health and safety arrangements.
• ISO 37001 Certification Anti-bribery and corruption management system certification providing assurance against bribery and corruption threats in alignment with FCPA and UK Bribery Act.
• Anti-Human Trafficking Accreditation Third-party assessment using the Verite Responsible Sourcing Tool framework for Anti-Trafficking Management System, providing compliance with CTIPS requirements and Modern Day Slavery Act.
• Second Party Due Diligence Assurance of contractors, subcontractors, supply chain or vendors against customer-defined contractual, regulatory, and ethical commitments.
• SureStart Gap Analysis Tool Free gap analysis tool providing introductory education videos and downloadable best-practice examples for ISO 18788 preparation, available online to contracted clients.
• Recognized Progression Programme Phased learning course with modular training (Foundation, Bronze, Silver, Gold phases) supporting companies in preparing for internationally recognized certification.
• Education Suite Complete learning resources for achieving and maintaining compliance, including 5 steps with examples to develop management systems and over 40 education and example documents; available as a one-time $500 download purchase.
• ESG Toolkits ESG-related toolkits including human rights due diligence, anti-bribery toolkit, modern slavery toolkit, and anti-trafficking assurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 20% insurance premium savings for certified clients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• International SOS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2025Strategic collaboration announced in October 2025 to provide organizations with industry-leading training, certification, and tools for travel risk management in line with ISO 31030. The partnership includes a framework of assessments, audits, and certification, along with a free self-assessment tool to gauge organizational preparedness.
• Method GridsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Method Grid to deliver structured, step-by-step support programmes using their framework approach to methodologies, providing free anti-bribery toolkit and other ESG-related toolkits.
• International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSS Global is a signatory to the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers and holds Observer status on the ICoC Association, actively supporting the oversight framework development.
• UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)coreOthersAccreditation body that provides formal recognition of MSS Global's competence to deliver certification services under the IAF MLA framework.
• Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK industry body for security in complex environments. MSS Global engaged with SCEG and other industry associations to shape standards and best practices.
• International Stability Operations Association (ISOA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational industry body. MSS Global engaged with ISOA and other associations to shape standards and best practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: World-leading testing, inspection, and certification company. While SGS operates at far larger scale across many industries, it offers ISO certification services that overlap with MSS Global's general management system portfolio and could expand into security certifications.
• LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): Major UK-based certification body delivering ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 37001, and other management system certifications globally. Closely comparable to MSS Global's general certification offering; potential contender to extend UKAS scope into security operations certifications.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification group with strong maritime presence. ISO 28000/28007 maritime certifications and security-sector testing overlap directly with MSS Global's supply chain and maritime portfolio, making it a relevant scaling competitor.
• BSI (British Standards Institution): One of the world's largest certification bodies, offering ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 37001 and other management system certifications. While not currently UKAS-accredited for ISO 18788 under IAF MLA, BSI is the most likely competitor to contest MSS Global's exclusive accreditation and operates a comparable global ISO certification portfolio.
• Intertek: Global quality assurance and testing provider offering ISO management system certifications across multiple sectors. Operates at much larger scale but provides directly substitutable ISO certification services to enterprise clients.
• TÜV SÜD: Major international certification body delivering ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 37001 and other management system certifications. Comparable in service mix to MSS Global's non-security certifications with significant global infrastructure.
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas): Global assurance and certification giant with strong maritime and supply chain credentials (ISO 28000, ISO 28007), directly overlapping MSS Global's maritime armed security and supply chain security certification portfolio. DNV's scale and shipping-industry relationships make it MSS Global's most credible competitor in maritime certification.

Direct peers

• Control Risks: Global risk consultancy serving security, travel risk, and ethics/governance needs of multinational clients. Targets the same buyer profile as MSS Global — security directors seeking ethical assurance and duty-of-care credentials — though via advisory rather than certification.
• RINA (Registro Italiano Navale): Italian-headquartered certification body with maritime and supply chain security expertise. Direct overlap with MSS Global's ISO 28000 and ISO 28007 maritime security portfolio; classified as a direct peer given the specific overlap in maritime security certification services.

Regional players

• AFNOR Certification: French-headquartered certification body offering ISO management system certifications with strong presence in Europe. Competes in the broader ISO certification market but with less specialty in security operations than MSS Global.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mssglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mss-global

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MSS Global