Why do People Fail BS7858?

The BS7858 standard, issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI), covers checks on an individual's background, employment history, criminal record, and other factors to verify their trustworthiness and suitability for security-related roles. Here are some reasons why people might fail:

Failed RTW checks

Inability to prove the legal right to work in the UK, or expired visas or permits, would be a reason for failure.

Gaps in activity history

Unexplained Gaps: BS7858 requires a thorough, continuous activity history check. Unexplained gaps longer than 31 days, can raise red flags.

Lack of documents to support activities

Just as it’s important to add your 5 year activity history, it’s crucial that you are uploading relevant and legitimate documents to support them. The reason being:

Accuracy and Verification: Evidence helps verify that the information a person provides—like employment history, education, or criminal background—is accurate. Without concrete evidence, it’s easy for misinformation or discrepancies to go unnoticed, which could lead to poor hiring decisions or risks to workplace security.

Authenticity and Reliability: Legitimate documents ensure that the information is accurate and has been issued by trustworthy sources, such as previous employers, educational institutions, or government bodies. Fake or altered documents could lead to incorrect assumptions about a person’s qualifications, experience, or character and therefore can result in failing.

Criminal Records

Dishonesty Offences: Convictions related to dishonesty (like fraud or embezzlement) are particularly problematic for security roles.

Incomplete Disclosure: Failing to disclose past criminal activity or providing false information can also be grounds for failure.

Financial Issues:

Significant Debt or Bankruptcy: Financial instability, such as recent bankruptcy or serious debt issues, can indicate a higher risk for potential vulnerability to compromise, which is a concern in security roles.

County Court Judgments (CCJs): Individuals with unresolved CCJs over 10k may face challenges in passing the screening, as it suggests potential financial instability.

Refusing to cooperate 

Remember that you need to pass your background check first before getting into work - so to delay your chances of getting into work, it is crucial that you respond to any communications from the vetting team.