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Three decades of trusted, specialist background screening with global reach
Founded in 1998, Security Watchdog was built on a clear belief: trust in hiring should be based on verified truth, not assumption.
Almost three decades later, Security Watchdog remains one of the most recognised background screening companies, trusted by organisations with complex and global workforce needs. By combining leading screening technology with specialist human expertise, we help businesses make confident, compliant and informed hiring decisions.
Built to bring clarity to a process that lacked it
Security Watchdog was established in 1998, at a time when background screening in the UK was fragmented, inconsistent and often unreliable. Employers were making critical hiring decisions without fully verified information, while candidates experienced processes that lacked structure and transparency.
The founding vision was to change that. To introduce rigour, consistency and accountability into screening – not just to check information, but to give organisations confidence in their decisions and ensure candidates were treated fairly.
From the beginning, the focus was not just on checks, but on trust – how it is built, maintained and protected throughout the hiring journey. That principle remains unchanged today.
How our history has shaped the way we deliver screening today
From its beginnings as a specialist screening provider, Security Watchdog has grown alongside the increasing complexity of hiring, compliance and workforce risk.
Explore the key moments of the journey so far:
- 1998: Foundation of Security Watchdog
Established as a specialist screening provider focused on improving trust, consistency and accountability in pre-employment checks - Early 2000s: Expansion into regulated and high-volume sectors
Supporting organisations where compliance, safeguarding and turnaround times became critical. We were also appointed as one of the first Umbrella Bodies for Hosted DBS under the CRB (now DBS Service) - Mid 2000s to 2010s: Investment in our proprietary screening technology
Key developments of our platforms such as Volti4 and eBulkPlus to improve efficiency, control and visibility across screening programmes - 2010s: Growth as a trusted UK screening partner
Building long-standing client relationships across public and private sectors, delivering consistent, high-quality screening at scale in some of the most regulated sectors - 2020s: Integration into Matrix – A step into a wider workforce ecosystem
Connecting screening into a broader workforce solutions model, aligning it with hiring, onboarding and workforce management - Today: Security Watchdog as part of Matrix
Building on nearly 30 years of specialist screening expertise, now strengthened within the Matrix ecosystem. We combine deep industry knowledge with evolving proprietary technology to support complex, global organisations, while continuing to deliver the quality, consistency and trust that define Security Watchdog.
A trusted partner in modern workforce screening
A leading role in the global screening market
Security Watchdog supports organisations across the public and private sectors, delivering screening programmes for high-volume, regulated and complex workforce environments.
Working where trust matters most
We partner with organisations operating in sectors where compliance, safeguarding and reputation are critical, helping them manage workforce risk with clarity and confidence.
A reputation built over time
Our long-standing client relationships reflect consistent delivery, operational expertise and a commitment to high-quality screening outcomes.
Operating to recognised standards
We work within established regulatory frameworks and industry best practice, ensuring our processes meet the expectations of both employers and candidates.
Experience and innovation, working together
Our approach combines nearly 30 years of industry experience with a forward-looking view of how workforce screening should operate today. We work closely with our clients to design screening programmes that are proportionate, compliant and aligned to their specific workforce risks.
Our methodology balances technology with human expertise, recognising that effective screening requires both efficiency and informed judgement. Decisions are guided by accuracy, fairness and transparency, with a strong focus on maintaining a positive candidate experience. Quality is maintained through continuous improvement, operational oversight and a commitment to delivering consistent, reliable outcomes.
Continuing to shape the future of workforce screening
As the world of work continues to evolve, so too does the role of screening.
New technologies, changing workforce models and increasing regulatory expectations require a more connected and responsive approach. Security Watchdog continues to invest in solutions that reflect this shift – from data-led verification and continuous screening to integrated workforce platforms that support the full employment lifecycle.
What remains constant is our purpose; to help organisations build trust in their workforce decisions through accurate, reliable and meaningful insight.
Talk to a screening expert
Whether you’re exploring background screening for your organisation, already working with us, or completing checks as a candidate, we’re here to help.
Use the form to tell us what your enquiry is about. A few quick questions will help us understand what you need, whether that’s guidance on the right checks, support with an existing account, booking a demo of our platform, help with an in-progress screening application or something else.
Once submitted, your enquiry will be routed to the right person and a member of the team will be in touch.