Security & DefenceISCO 5414
Security guard
Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.
Check yourself in a minute: security guard
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
restrain individuals
perform body searches
comply with the principles of self-defence
maintain facility security systems
stay alert
About security guard
As a security guard, you will be responsible for protecting people, buildings, and valuable assets from theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Your daily duties include patrolling designated areas, monitoring surveillance systems, checking official documentation, controlling access at entrances, and responding to security incidents. You must remain vigilant at all times, identify potential threats, report infractions and suspicious activities, and take appropriate action when necessary including detaining offenders. You will work to ensure compliance with security regulations and maintain a safe environment. This role requires keen observation skills, physical fitness, quick decision-making abilities, and strict adherence to security protocols.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a security guard.
1
Patrol and Area Surveillance
- Patrol designated property areas on foot or by vehicle to detect irregularities
- Maintain vigilance and stay alert to identify security threats and suspicious behavior
- Monitor surveillance equipment and video recording systems
- Execute inspection walkways to ensure all areas are secure
2
Access Control and Verification
- Control access at entrances and exits by verifying identification and credentials
- Check official documents to verify authorization for access
- Check tickets and passes at venue entries
- Ask suspicious individuals for identification and question unauthorized persons
3
Incident Response and Reporting
- Report infractions, law breaching activities, and security violations to authorities
- Liaise with security authorities and law enforcement when necessary
- Document and report security incidents with detailed information
- Respond promptly to alarms and emergency situations
4
Security Procedures and Compliance
- Maintain facility security systems and ensure proper operation
- Perform security checks on persons and belongings as required
- Perform body searches when necessary and authorized
- Ensure law application and compliance with security protocols
5
Threat Detection and Crisis Management
- Identify terrorism threats and report suspicious activities immediately
- Deal with aggressive behavior using de-escalation techniques and self-defence principles
- Detain offenders and restrict their movement until law enforcement arrives
- Restrain individuals when necessary to prevent harm or further violations
6
Public Safety and Customer Service
- Ensure public safety and security by maintaining presence and readiness
- Provide assistance to visitors and employees regarding security procedures
- Comply with principles of self-defence and reasonable force
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
restrain individualsrestrain individualsRestrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual is unabl...perform body searchesperform body searchesExamine visitors by performing a body search, in order to detect weapons or illegal substances.ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.comply with the principles of self-defencecomply with the principles of self-defenceObserve the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations where attackers are using deadly fo...maintain facility security systemsmaintain facility security systemsEnsure that proper and functional security systems are in place, including alarm systems, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exits.stay alertstay alertStay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.identify terrorism threatsidentify terrorism threatsIdentify the possibility of terrorism activities posing threats and danger in a specific area by monitoring activities of potentially dangerous groups of people, assessing risks in different areas, an...check official documentscheck official documentsCheck an individuals' official documentation, such as driver's licenses and identification, to ensure compliance with legal regulations, and to identify and assess individuals.identify security threatsidentify security threatsIdentify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.check tickets at venue entrycheck tickets at venue entryEnsure that all guests have valid tickets for the specific venue or show and report on irregularities.perform security checksperform security checksMonitor and check individuals' bags or personal items in order to make sure the individuals present no threats and that their behaviour is legally compliant.detain offendersdetain offendersKeep back offenders and trespassers in a certain area.liaise with security authoritiesliaise with security authoritiesRespond quickly to security incidents and violations by calling the police and keep in touch with other relevant parties involved in the potential prosecution of the offender.ensure law applicationensure law applicationEnsure the laws are followed, and where they are broken, that the correct measures are taken to ensure compliance to the law and law enforcement.execute inspection walkwayexecute inspection walkwayCarry out a route in order to verify if all the doors and windows are closed.practice vigilancepractice vigilancePractice vigilance during patrol or other surveillance activities in order to ensure safety and security, to look out for suspicious behaviour or other alarming changes in patterns or activities, and ...patrol areaspatrol areasPatrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicating with emergency response organisations.deal with aggressive behaviourdeal with aggressive behaviourRespond promptly to adverse behaviour in a professional manner by taking appropriate and legal action to prevent further aggressiveness, such as verbal warning, lawful removal from the premises or app...monitor surveillance equipmentmonitor surveillance equipmentMonitor the operation of equipment used in surveillance and gathering of intelligence to ensure it functions properly and to gather the surveillance information detected by it.
Optional (31) — show
alarm systemsalarm systemsSecurity systems in buildings and on properties automatically alarming security companies or producing acoustic or audio-visual signals when break-in, theft or damage of property is detected.explosivesexplosivesBehaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.check methodscheck methodsProcedures used for investigative purposes such as surveillance by physical and electronic means, interrogations of witnesses, collection of objects and data for assessment and analysis and physical a...legal use-of-forcelegal use-of-forceThe characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security need...security in industrial buildingssecurity in industrial buildingsSecurity procedures, characteristics, tasks and risks encountered in industrial areas such as factories, ports, warehouses and mines.fire safety regulationsfire safety regulationsThe legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.legal requirements related to ammunitionlegal requirements related to ammunitionLegal regulations and requirements in the field of selling, buying, handling and storing ammunition.criminal lawcriminal lawThe legal rules, constitutions and regulations applicable for the punishment of offenders.illegal substancesillegal substancesThe forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them.security in commercial buildingssecurity in commercial buildingsSecurity procedures, characteristics, tasks and risks in commercial areas and institutions such as banks, malls, tourist spots, hotels and restaurants.surveillance methodssurveillance methodsSurveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.exercise security in hospitalsexercise security in hospitalsSecurity activities in a hospital environment executing the hospitals structured security program, usually positioned at admission or the entrance of the hospital, patrolling the premises, helping nur...inspect cargoinspect cargoConduct quality checks on cargo before loading and after unloading commences. Ensure total on-board cargo load is secure.monitor parking areas to maintain securitymonitor parking areas to maintain securityMonitor the entry and exit routes within the parking areas and report on any hazards, accidents or violations.provide door securityprovide door securitySpot and monitor individuals or groups of people at the door who intend to enter the premises unlawfully or have potential for causing threats.ensure compliance with types of weaponsensure compliance with types of weaponsComply with legal requirements when using different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition.control crowdcontrol crowdControl a crowd or riot, ensuring people do not cross to areas they are not allowed to access, monitoring the crowd's behaviour and responding to suspicious and violent behaviour.manage major incidentsmanage major incidentsTake immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents.manage lost and found articlesmanage lost and found articlesMake sure that all articles or objects lost are identified and that the owners gets them back in their possession.regulate trafficregulate trafficRegulate the flow of traffic by using assigned hand signals, assisting travellers on the road, and aiding people to cross the street.handle surveillance equipmenthandle surveillance equipmentMonitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.interrogate individualsinterrogate individualsInterview individuals in such a manner that they give information that could be of use in an investigation and that they possibly tried to conceal.ensure hotel securityensure hotel securityGuarantee the security of guests and the premises by monitoring the different hotel zones.provide security in detention centresprovide security in detention centresEnsuring security and to some extent intercultural communication in detention centres holding individuals for crimes, illegal immigration or refugees.conduct airport security screeningconduct airport security screeningMonitor passenger flow through the screening checkpoint and facilitate the orderly and efficient processing of passengers; inspect luggage and cargo following screening procedures.document security incidents in the storedocument security incidents in the storePrepare documentation and specific reports of the security threats, observations and incidents, such as shoplifting, that occur in the store, to be used as evidence against the offender, if required.carry out security activities with a dogcarry out security activities with a dogUsing specially trained dogs to search specific areas or surveil properties in order to detect threats or individuals.ensure store securityensure store securityImplement and monitor security measures within the store; be vigilant about shoplifters and fraudulent use of credit cards.ensure security on shipsensure security on shipsConduct security taking into account the specific security and safety measures on passenger and commercial ships.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
bodyguard10 shared essential skillscrowd controller10 shared essential skillsdoor supervisor9 shared essential skillshand luggage inspector8 shared essential skillssecurity guard supervisor8 shared essential skillsgate guard6 shared essential skillsstore detective6 shared essential skillspolice officer5 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a security guard do?
Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.
What skills does a security guard need?
A security guard needs 19 essential skills, including restrain individuals, perform body searches, ensure public safety and security, comply with the principles of self-defence, maintain facility security systems.
Will AI replace security guard jobs?
The AI disruption score for security guard is 38/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: monitor surveillance equipment, manage lost and found articles, fire safety regulations. Most resilient: restrain individuals, legal use-of-force, comply with the principles of self-defence.
AI Replacement Risk
38/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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