Security Guard
A security guard is a professional tasked with protecting property and individuals from various threats, including theft, vandalism, and other illegal activities. They play a crucial role in maintaining safety within both public and private spaces by monitoring entrances, conducting patrols, and maintaining surveillance, often utilizing closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Security guards typically require a high school diploma and undergo training that includes on-the-job experience and, in some cases, specialized instruction for handling emergencies and using weapons. This occupation can involve varied work environments, from indoor settings like offices and stores to outdoor locations such as parks and stadiums.
Given the nature of their work, security guards must possess physical fitness, good judgment, and the ability to respond swiftly to potential threats. Their duties range from monitoring visitor access and responding to emergencies to conducting investigations and reporting unusual activities. While the job can be routine, it may also present dangers, necessitating a strong understanding of safety protocols and effective communication with law enforcement when necessary. Overall, a career as a security guard offers opportunities in various settings, appealing to those interested in public safety and security.
Security Guard
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Law, Public Safety & Security
Interests: Public safety, safeguarding property, surveillance, patrolling, investigation, law
Earnings (Yearly Median): $37,090 per year $17.83 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience Video monitoring experience
On-the-job-Training In most states, eight hours of training occurs annually, along with eight to sixteen hours of shadowing an experienced guard.
Overview
Sphere of Work. Security guards protect property and people from a variety of threats, including theft, vandalism, assault, and other illegal activities. They supervise and control who enters company facilities and ensure the safety of individuals within the facility and grounds. They maintain surveillance of private or public property to prevent theft, especially at night. Security guards are responsible for communicating with emergency services, such as police or fire departments, as needed. Some may become licensed to carry firearms or other weapons depending on their job duties.
Work Environment. Security guards work for private employers, government agencies, or security guard agencies. Some work primarily indoors, while others work outdoors in varying weather. Most security guards either maintain a stationary position, monitor one location directly or via closed-circuit television (CCTV), or conduct mobile patrols throughout their designated area during a shift. They spend long hours on their feet. Most security guards work forty to forty-eight hours per week, depending on whether they work for a security company or a company in another industry. Guards at security firms may work as many as sixty hours a week. Though a security guard’s job may be tedious or routine at times, it can also be dangerous.
Occupation Interest. People interested in pursuing a career as a security guard should possess a desire to safeguard property and people. They should respond to potential threats according to the training they have received. Prospective security guards should be physically fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle, as part of the success of the job depends on physical speed, agility, coordination, and strength. They should demonstrate good judgment and be able to make quick decisions, sometimes based on very little information. Being able to assess possible threats and unusual situations quickly, alert others to what they have observed, and safely investigate to gather more information are other desirable traits in this profession.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Security guards are responsible for protecting private or public property and ensuring the safety of people on those properties. They perform a wide range of duties to that end. Security guards are employed in many industries and may work in such varied positions as gate tenders, merchant patrollers, or store detectives. They keep track of visitors and employees who enter and exit the premises. They observe and record daily activities, especially unusual occurrences, and submit those observations to their employers. Security guards are also responsible for contacting law enforcement officials in the case of emergencies, such as fires, burglaries, medical emergencies, vandalism, terrorist attacks, and other incidents. They thoroughly investigate all areas of the property they oversee and attend to any disturbances or irregularities they encounter. They protect others from harm partly through their constant presence, which tends to discourage and prevent potential crime.
Security guards ensure that all entrances and exits of a structure, including windows, gates, and doors, are closed and properly secured. Occasionally, they may escort vehicles to specific destinations or provide individuals with personal protection. Some security guards operate detection equipment to screen people for weapons or other prohibited items. They may monitor alarms and electronic security systems.
Security guards must sometimes escort or bodily remove unauthorized personnel from the premises and explain security measures and rules to visitors and employees. They may also inspect incoming mail and packages for suspicious contents. Some security guards monitor and direct parking and traffic. Some are required to collect and verify the authenticity of various forms of identification from visitors or patrons and conduct financial transactions.
Gate Tenders (372.667-030). Gate tenders guard entrance gates to control traffic to and from the grounds.
Merchant Patrollers (372.667-038). Merchant patrollers tour an assigned area to protect the buildings and property of clients.
School-Crossing Guards (371.567-010). School-crossing guards guard street crossings during hours when children go to or come from school. They direct the actions of children and traffic at street intersections.
Store Detectives (376.367-014). Store detectives protect the property of business establishments by detecting vandalism, thievery, shoplifting, or dishonesty among employees or patrons.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The primary physical environment of security guards will vary based on the size and type of employer. Some security guards work indoors; others work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Some are stationed at small guard desks inside large buildings, while others work in outdoor guardhouses. Others patrol small stores, large shopping centers, nightclubs, bars, museums, movie theaters, banks, hospitals, and office buildings. Some security guards work in airports or rail terminals, while universities, public parks, or sports stadiums employ others.
Human Environment. Security guards who work during the day usually interact with members of the public and the property staff they protect. Those who work at night often work alone and do not come into contact with many people. Many security guards also interact with law enforcement personnel, including police officers, firefighters, detectives, and other security officers as needed.
Technological Environment. Security guards may operate patrol cars, golf carts, automobiles, or other vehicles during their work. They often carry cell phones, flashlights, two-way radios, handcuffs, and personal defense products such as pepper spray, Mace, or a Taser. Some security guards are licensed to carry handguns. Security guards also process documents, including witness reports, theft reports, and observation reports. They may use spreadsheet software, the Internet and email, and word processing software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming security guards can prepare themselves by taking courses in English, physical education, geography, sociology, and psychology. They should also participate in and maintain ongoing first-aid training and certification. Outside of school, students can enroll in extracurricular self-defense courses or one-on-one physical training courses that allow them to understand the foundations of different self-defense techniques. Students can also tour local factories, office buildings, or shopping centers to learn more about the primary duties of a security guard.
Postsecondary. It is unnecessary for security guards to obtain an undergraduate degree; many employers hire security guards who have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Other employers, however, may prefer to hire security guards with postsecondary training in criminal justice or a related field. Since employer preferences vary widely, checking the required education level and experience qualifications before applying for a job is advisable.
Employers usually require on-the-job training for newly hired security guards. Depending on a security guard’s assignment, they may be trained in first-aid, emergency procedures, interacting with potentially dangerous individuals, communications skills, and report writing. Security guards who carry weapons receive specific training in using force, practical applications of firearms, and weapons retention. The American Society for Industrial Security International provides employers with standard guidelines for training security guards, including suggestions for a written examination covering emergency response techniques, crime prevention, legal issues, and other topics.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022; 33-9032 Security Guards.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/2016/may/oes339032.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
“Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/security-guards.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.