What does a head of security do?

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

The head of security performs overall company security responsibilities, obligations, and duties, such as maintenance responsibilities, performance responsibilities, strategic development responsibilities, and direction responsibilities. They create protocols and policies needed to secure and protect sensitive information. Besides developing and implementing security procedures and protocols, the head of security also makes logistics to secure and protect copyrights, intellectual property, and many other related risks. Moreover, the head of security hires and recruits a professional talent that can build up the security.

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Head of security responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real head of security resumes:

Monitor CCTV systems, tracking software, and patrols for potential security risks.
Monitor campus building activity via CCTV, key control access systems and officer patrol.
Supervise the escort and security (to and from the establishment) of celebrity, high-profile and VIP clientele.
Provide personnel VIP security and professional athlete
Dispatch patrol officers, monitor security system, fill out daily security reports, supervise a small group of security officers.
Provide security guidance to internal and external customers utilizing DOD and IC regulations.

Head of security skills and personality traits

We calculated that 34% of Heads Of Security are proficient in Cloud Security, Security Procedures, and Emergency Situations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Good judgment, Observation skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Heads Of Security that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Cloud Security, 34%
Complete cloud security, GRC, Vulnerability mgmt.
Security Procedures, 12%
Produced written and oral reports on all shift activities' including emergency notifications delivered as directed by established security procedures.
Emergency Situations, 6%
Respond quickly in emergency situations to take control -Responsible for providing security services for customers and club members
IDS, 4%
Check IDs at door; help maintain a fun and safe environment and kick people out when necessary.
Security Operations, 4%
Spearheaded hospital security operations including overseeing the lock and key program, security clearance operations, and parking.
Local Law Enforcement, 3%
Managed security detail included coordinating with local law enforcement and handling crowd control.

Common skills that a head of security uses to do their job include "cloud security," "security procedures," and "emergency situations." You can find details on the most important head of security responsibilities below.

Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling head of security duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." According to a head of security resume, here's how heads of security can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "completed shift and incident reports by interviewing witnesses as well as recording observations, occurrences, and surveillance activities. "

Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of heads of security is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday head of security duties, as "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintained clear communication channels with the local law enforcement officials for security information and contingency planning. "

Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to head of security responsibilities. Much of what a head of security does relies on this skill, seeing as "security guards and surveillance officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of heads of security: "prepared advertising copy provided customer service and conflict resolution ordered and stocked merchandise on sales floor cashier loss prevention"

See the full list of head of security skills

The three companies that hire the most head of securitys are:

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Compare different heads of security

Head of security vs. Army national guard

An asset protection associate is responsible for monitoring the operational activities to ensure the safety and security of the assets and enforcing strict regulations to avoid financial loss through theft instances and fraud activities. Asset protection associates' duties include reiterating safety regulations for everyone's compliance, observing and reporting suspicious movements inside the premises, utilizing surveillance cameras and security equipment to trace incidents, and performing necessary inspections for all employees as advised. An asset protection associate must be knowledgeable with the security systems and implement strategies that would contribute to the company's development.

We looked at the average head of security salary and compared it with the wages of an army national guard. Generally speaking, army national guards are paid $104,281 lower than heads of security per year.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a head of security are more likely to require skills like "cloud security," "cloud computing," "security procedures," and "emergency situations." On the other hand, a job as an army national guard requires skills like "combat," "logistics," "technical assistance," and "weapon systems." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

On average, army national guards reach similar levels of education than heads of security. Army national guards are 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Learn more about heads of security vs asset protection associates.

Head of security vs. Bouncer

A custom protection officer is a trained security officer who works for a private security company called the G4S. Utilizing their expertise and experience, a custom protection officer is primarily in charge of guarding commercial to private establishments, properties, and even individuals. Their responsibilities usually include conducting assessments and inspections to develop security strategies, patrolling areas, managing security stations, screening and verifying the identities of visitors, and enforcing other security protocols. Moreover, they may also respond to distress and file incident reports.

On average, bouncers earn a $118,476 lower salary than heads of security a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Heads of security and bouncers both require similar skills like "ids," "local law enforcement," and "crowd control" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that head of security responsibilities requires skills like "cloud security," "cloud computing," "security procedures," and "emergency situations." But a bouncer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "bartenders," "club rules," "dance floors," and "dress code."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Bouncers tend to reach similar levels of education than heads of security. In fact, they're 4.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Learn more about heads of security vs custom protection officers.

Head of security vs. Asset protection associate

On average scale, asset protection associates bring in lower salaries than heads of security. In fact, they earn a $112,693 lower salary per year.By looking over several heads of security and asset protection associates resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "emergency situations," "local law enforcement," and "incident reports." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, heads of security are more likely to have skills like "cloud security," "cloud computing," "security procedures," and "ids." But a asset protection associate is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "store management," "compliance issues," and "internal investigations."

Asset protection associates typically earn similar educational levels compared to heads of security. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Head of security vs. Custom protection officer

Custom protection officers average a lower salary than the annual salary of heads of security. The difference is about $117,050 per year.While both heads of security and custom protection officers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like security procedures, emergency situations, and security operations, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A head of security uses "cloud security," "cloud computing," "ids," and "data loss prevention." Custom protection officers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "patrol," "safety hazards," "public safety," and "combat arms. "The average resume of custom protection officers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to heads of security. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of head of security

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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