As the security market is growing constantly, a wide range of interesting job opportunities are available within the security industry. Irrespective of the location of the job, the basic job of a security guard is to safeguard and protect an assigned possession from any sort of unwanted access or harm. Still, a lot of differences exist in the exact job responsibilities that different security guards have to undertake for their respective job roles. The majority of the general population continues to believe that the services offered by all security guards are the same.
But this assumption is incorrect! Each security guard’s role and work responsibilities are different from one another. Because there are so many alternatives, it is important to assign the right security personnel to the right job. Doing so will ensure that the designated possession or asset is being looked after in an effective manner. Read ahead to learn about all the different types of security guards that exist in the security industry.
Type of Security Guards and Their Roles
For those interested in making a career in the security industry, here are different types of security guard roles that you can choose from:
1. Government Contract Security Guard
Typically, the security guards employed by the government are highly trained and armed. These security professionals are mainly employed to protect, safeguard, and prevent government employees and their property. These guards can work in a variety of settings.
The primary role of this type of security guard is to protect the site. For instance, courthouses or military command centres. Their role is to get active and perform their roles when a high-risk situation arises in order to protect government employees and property. Additionally, government security guards need to have a clean criminal record in order to get their licence and be hired.
2. In-house Security Guard
In-house security guards are directly employed by corporations or businesses to work with them. These guards are not hired through a contract with a private security company. The corporations that hire these professionals pay them, supervise them, and want them to perform the tasks according to their policies.
These security guards look after the security of individuals at banks, healthcare facilities, and cruise ships. They are the on-guard specialists safeguarding information in the security sector, as well as doing their part in motels, clubs, and museums. An in-house security guard might be someone who looks out for you and your property while you’re doing bank transactions or going out of town.
3. Bodyguards
Bodyguards are private security guards whose job it is to protect an individual. They are typically employed to protect the lives of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), important or influential people, VIPs like politicians and celebrities, etc. Also known as personal protection agents, these guards are very attentive and highly trained.
The primary role of bodyguards includes risk management, route planning, security improvement, danger assessment, and customer protection. Additionally, they may be deployed to work overseas, be in the position of protecting ambassadors or high officials, or they might establish separate security organisations.
4. Unarmed Security Guard
The unarmed guard is one of the most popular types of security guards. This particular type of guard is used by a variety of businesses, sectors, organisations, and communities. They maintain a watchful eye on security systems, monitor all areas, and deal with threats quickly and effectively. These security professionals are unarmed, but that does not make them less valuable; their appearance alone is enough to discourage a criminal or intruder.
The unarmed guard’s duties and responsibilities involve several different tasks, such as watching over and handling CCTV cameras and devices, controlling building access, doing foot patrols, and a lot more. Most security-related workers begin in roles similar to this one, which is usually the most common kind of security role.
5. Armed Security Guard
Many security guards become armed security officers following extra training and licensing requirements. Commonly, armed security guards are employed by organisations that deal with expensive products and services. Guard-carrying weapons are usually considered the highest level of security workers and have the right to have firearms. But this right comes with numerous additional ethical, knowledgeable, and legal responsibilities.
Guards holding firearms have to be fully familiar with the law. They have to exercise force lawfully and only use force as a last resort when faced with actual, real danger. An armed guard’s role involves responding to various incidents and having a plan of action in the event of a dangerous emergency, such as a situation involving an active shooter.
6. Event Security Guard
Crowded places demand security, and this is where the event security guard’s role comes into play. Larger venues for events, in particular, use event security guards to handle the vehicles and walking traffic. They also control venue entry and act as a barrier to discourage risky conduct and reckless behaviour that can frequently happen in crowded areas.
During performances, sporting events, and gatherings, an event safety officer might be hired to provide security. Making sure that visitors only remain within the boundaries where they are allowed and are not bringing banned items into the venue is an additional role of the event security guard. Moreover, when there is a lot of liquor present and feelings get too high, these guards help calm down or stop physical fights.
7. Patrol Guard
Patrol guards operate a specially built vehicle around your residence or place of business at all times to keep an eye out for any unusual behaviour or danger. Additionally, there may not always be a mobile guard around, as mobile patrols aren’t stationed in a single location all the time.
They monitor within specified times and in response to any emergencies. A mobile patrolling unit can be employed to visit the selected location at planned durations on scheduled days, or one may employ a fixed security patrol guard or unit to watch over your property around the clock.
8. Industrial And Construction Guards
Construction sites, storage facilities, and manufacturing facilities all necessitate 24/7 security. Many of these types of locations hold high-end products, materials, and technology that require guarding. An industrial security guard must maintain an eye on the location’s perimeter, safeguard machinery and supplies, control site entry, and keep an eye on the area after hours.
Guards employed in industries and construction areas frequently get specific training that helps workers handle particular challenges they face. Workers could be given training on ways to manage hazardous chemicals, how to safely operate machinery, and how to deal with emergencies such as fires or mishaps.
9. Video Surveillance Operators
Before deploying employees to the client’s site, private security companies prepare their workers with video surveillance methods and technology. To review camera recordings, and perform effective monitoring, while maintaining an eye on the situation, the person in charge could be working in collaboration with other security staff.
For the purpose of tracking unlawful activities, a lot of companies install surveillance cameras both inside and outside of their facilities. While functioning in a low-risk environment, the surveillance camera function mostly involves monitoring activities. However, it must be alerted to a significant occurrence that impacts the operations of the company.
Essential Skills Required In A Security Guard
Security guards play an important role in maintaining the safety and security of the organisation or site they are in charge of. To be successful in this profession, they need to attain several essential skills that are sought by a lot of employers. These skills can be mainly categorised into two main groups: hard skills and soft skills.
1. Hard Skills
- Security Procedures: Security guards need to have a complete understanding of the security systems, protocols, and procedures linked to their assigned workplace. This includes things like operating security alarms, access control systems, and CCTV monitoring.
- Physical Fitness: While the required level of physical fitness can vary depending on the specific role, security guards should be in good health and be able to perform the basic physical tasks. This includes patrolling large areas on foot, restricting unauthorised individuals, or providing first aid when needed.
- Incidental Response: Security guards need to respond calmly and effectively to a variety of incidents, such as thefts, fire, or medical emergencies. This involves following established protocols, minimising the risk in situations, and providing assistance to those in need.
- Law and Compliance: Security guards should have a basic understanding of relevant laws and regulations that relate to their duties. This includes things like trespass laws, the use of force, and reporting requirements.
- Technology Proficiency: In today’s world, many security guard roles involve the use of technology, such as security cameras, access control systems, and electronic reporting tools. Familiarity and comfort with these technologies would definitely be valuable assets.
2. Soft Skills
- Communication: Security personnel need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing as well. This is important for reporting incidents, giving directions, and interacting with the general public.
- Observation: Security guards need to be observant and detail-oriented. They should be able to identify potential security risks, suspicious activity, and any changes in their environment.
- Customer Service: Security guards often interact with the public and thus should be able to provide excellent customer service whenever needed. This means being polite, professional, and helpful.
- Problem-Solving: Security guards will encounter a variety of problems on the job and need to be able to think critically and solve problems effectively whenever they arise.
- Decision-Making: Security guards regularly need to make quick decisions in ever-challenging situations. They should have good judgement and be able to assess risks before taking action.
- Integrity: Security guards are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and need to be honest and trustworthy in all of their dealings.
- Adaptability: Security environments may be challenging enough and may require guards to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.
Conclusion
The profession of security guards comprises a wide variety of roles and functions tailored to meet particular needs in several sectors. Each type of security worker is necessary for safeguarding individuals, possessions, and property; they include everything from armed guards protecting the public’s safety to government-contracted guards safeguarding crucial services. It is essential to understand all of the roles that these security positions perform to guarantee peace of mind in the rapidly changing settings of today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main four basics of security include confidentiality, availability, accountability, and integrity. Under it, the security officer has to make sure only those individuals enter the designated area with due authorization. Additionally, he or she also has to make sure that all the recorded data is accurate and prevent any sort of unauthorised modification. With it, a security professional has to keep a note of every abnormal or suspicious activity taking place and report it to his or her superior.
The seven major types of security include: physical security, disaster security, environmental security, information security, fire security, operational security, and personal security. The exact roles might differ from job to job, but all of them have one common task, i.e., looking after the safety and security of the appointed asset or possession.
The Chief of Security or Security Commander is the highest level or rank that a security guard can attain. Usually, they are in charge of the security measures for an entire organisation or site. This includes managing and overseeing each and every function being performed by lower-ranking security personnel. Although they aren’t the ones who patrol the front lines themselves, they are the ones who handle each and every matter attentively.
No, it’s not necessary that a security guard needs to be armed, as in Australia, most of the security guards actually worked as unarmed ones. The main job responsibility for them is to observe, hinder, and report any kind of suspicious activity. However, there are instances where armed security guards are employed. These include environments carrying a high-risk possibility of violence, theft, or any other mishap.
An event security guard is a security person who looks after the safety and well-being of all attendees at an event or gathering. This includes undertaking all measures that will make the overall experience of every visitor a smooth and safe one. With it, they also have the right to check and verify the tickets and IDs that the attendee holds. In cases of emergencies like medical emergencies, fights, or security breaches, they need to actively take immediate action and inform their higher authorities about the same.
On average, a security guard in Australia earns between $50,000 and $80,000 on an annual basis. The exact pay that a security guard would earn in Australia will be based on a lot of factors, like what kind of role the security guard is working in and what his or her job location is. Plus, the amount of experience that he or she will have will also affect their respective pay.
The 11 general orders for security guards are a set of traditional guidelines based on their core duties and responsibilities. Here are those:
- Taking charge of the post and property of the company with a view to protecting or preserving the same.
- Walking in an alert manner and observing everything happening around.
- Keeping an account and reporting all breaches of regulations and orders instructed about.
- Pass on messages from other security personnel, if needed.
- To quit the post only when properly relieved.
- Receive, obey, and pass on to the relieving guard all orders from the company officials, officers in the agency, supervisor, post-in-charge or shift leaders.
- Talk to no one outside of your primary job duties.
- In the event of a fire or disorder, sound the alarm.
- In any situation not addressed by orders, contact the higher officer.
- Salute all company officials, officers, and agencies, ranking public officials and officers.
- Be especially watchful at night and during times of challenge, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
