What does a security agent do?
Security Agents guard the entrance and exit of a building, watching CCTV footage for unusual activities, and holding trespassers until authorities arrive. Being a security agent is usually a shift-based job and can sometimes last overnight. Security Agents must have first aid knowledge and basic skills with self-defense.
Security agent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security agent resumes:
- Respond to accidents, provide basic first aid and/or CPR and complete accident investigation reports.
- Provide additional security patrol for numerous school events.
- Monitor the facility using CCTV while simultaneously performing dispatch duties.
- Establish efficient CCTV monitoring standards by distinguishing still cameras from controllable cameras.
- Complete estate security using perimeter patrol and highly advance electronic surveillance and advance intrusion detection systems.
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
- Provide armed escort for ATM repairpersons
Security agent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Security Agents are proficient in Customer Service, Patrol, and Emergency Situations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Agents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 17%
Provide exemplary customer service in airport terminal while making sure that all passengers have valid identification and are authorized to board flights
- Patrol, 17%
Perform routine patrol of interior and exterior checks at AMBU Facility, a manufacturing warehouse for emergency medical equipment.
- Emergency Situations, 10%
Collaborated with the Police and Fire departments responding to all emergency situations by adhering to company policy and procedural guidelines.
- CPR, 9%
Trained in First-aid, CPR and AED usage (maintained on a yearly basis) and utilized said training as needed.
- Loss Prevention, 3%
Completed Loss Prevention shift summary/daily activity report and maintained confidentiality of all Security/Loss Prevention and property reports/documents.
- Safety Hazards, 3%
Identify potential safety hazards and report to Supervisor; provide exceptional guest service.
"customer service," "patrol," and "emergency situations" are among the most common skills that security agents use at work. You can find even more security agent responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a security agent to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." Additionally, a security agent resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintain communications with facility management and loss prevention. "
Observation skills. This is an important skill for security agents to perform their duties. For an example of how security agent responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a security agent: "preformed observation and compiled reports of all activities on property, including daily reports, incident reports and contact reports. ".
The three companies that hire the most security agents are:
- GardaWorld Federal Services49 security agents jobs
- Allied Universal
12 security agents jobs
- Colorado Convention Center
11 security agents jobs
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Compare different security agents
Security agent vs. Protective officer
A protective officer is in charge of preventing theft and damages in stores and other establishments. Among their responsibilities include monitoring alarm systems and surveillance cameras, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on suspicious activities and behavior, developing strategies to enforce security protocols, and responding to distress. There are also instances where they must conduct inspections and produce reports. Furthermore, as a protective officer, it is essential to coordinate with law enforcement should the situation require.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a security agent are more likely to require skills like "safety oversight," "hotel guests," "aoa," and "front desk." On the other hand, a job as a protective officer requires skills like "patients," "criminal justice," "vehicle inspections," and "security industry." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Protective officers earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,169. On the other hand, security agents are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $37,992.The education levels that protective officers earn slightly differ from security agents. In particular, protective officers are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a security agent. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security agent vs. Officer
An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that security agent responsibilities requires skills like "english language," "loss prevention," "safety oversight," and "federal regulations." But an officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "powerpoint," "law enforcement agencies," "financial statements," and "hr."
Officers earn higher levels of education than security agents in general. They're 7.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security agent vs. Armed guard
Public relations assistants are professionals who are responsible for creating and distributing promotional materials to help clients increase their public image and awareness of their products and services. These assistants are required to help develop and distribute public relations materials such as brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and sell sheets. They must handle all the communications of their clients to the public by supervising social media content, press releases, and emails. Public relations assistants must also gather materials to be used in trade shows or client presentations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a security agent is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "english language," "loss prevention," and "safety oversight," while a typical armed guard is skilled in "cash management," "national security," "law enforcement," and "traffic control."
Armed guards earn the highest salary when working in the non profits industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,152. Comparatively, security agents have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $37,992.armed guards typically earn similar educational levels compared to security agents. Specifically, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security agent vs. Public safety officer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security agents and public safety officers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security agent might have more use for skills like "english language," "safety oversight," "federal regulations," and "hotel guests." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of public safety officers require skills like "patients," "motor vehicle," "criminal justice," and "traffic control. "
In general, public safety officers earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $38,645. The highest-paying industry for a security agent is the hospitality industry.The average resume of public safety officers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to security agents. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of security agent
Updated January 8, 2025
