What does a security guard do?
Security guards are responsible for maintaining and ensuring the peace and safety of the building they are assigned to. They ensure that everyone who enters the building has official business to be done in the building. They are also in charge of patrolling and monitoring activities within the area. Security guards are also tasked to immobilize anyone who seems to pose a threat to the peace and safety of the building. They are also responsible for preventing any untoward incidences or crimes that may happen in the area. Security guards must be observant and alert to be able to succeed in their roles.
Security guard responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security guard resumes:
- Assist employees with any and all concerns regarding payroll issues, insurance and requesting time off.
- Certify in fire safety, adult/child CPR with mask and choking, adult/child a, infant CPR w/ mask and choking.
- Distribute payroll checks to security officers.
- Administer CPR and transport injured personnel to local medical facilities.
- Monitor CCTV and other various intrusion detection security equipment for security issues.
- Provide relief to other security officers while maintaining punctuality and building moral support.
- Perform dispatcher duties involving passing of information and directions to other officers on patrol assignments.
- Patrol and secure building and surrounding property; monitor CCTV's and utilize radio communications.
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
- Explore various security aspects such as policies, protocols, cryptography, authentication, and risk assessment.
- Ensure all escorts entering the aeronautical area have completed SIDA driving training.
- Arm escort of ATM technicians to various banks in San Antonio and the surrounding cities
- Represent the company, greet and escort guests and oversee stations at the main entrance and within the VIP sections.
- Maintain correct documentation with DAR's.
- Complete DAR logs and make hourly check-ins with security control throughout each shift.
Security guard skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Security Guards are proficient in Customer Service, Patrol, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Guards that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 25%
Managed detailed records, recognized public safety hazards, operated computerized surveillance system, and provided excellent customer services.
- Patrol, 17%
Prevented unauthorized persons or weapons of mass destruction from entering facilities/Front Desk Clerk-Security Officer/Vehicle Patrol Officer.
- Ladders, 16%
Job required driving, walking, and climbing stairs and ladders.
- Security Services, 6%
Provided internal security services at designated US diplomatic facilities in order to prevent the compromise of classified material and equipment.
- Emergency Situations, 4%
Patrol designated areas of hospital hourly, respond and assist in emergency situations occurring on University grounds.
- CPR, 3%
Perform first aid or CPR when necessary Skills Used Communication Surveillance Integrity & professionalism Written Patrolling Medical Knowledge
Common skills that a security guard uses to do their job include "customer service," "patrol," and "ladders." You can find details on the most important security guard responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a security guard 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 guard resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintain open communication with undercover loss prevention officers to ensure that offenders are apprehended. "
Observation skills. security guards are also known for observation skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to security guard responsibilities, 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." A security guard resume example shows how observation skills is used in the workplace: "completed daily counts of store merchandise assisted store associates loss prevention close observation of highend jewelry presentations daily activity reports customer service"
The three companies that hire the most security guards are:
- Allied Universal9,313 security guards jobs
- Constellis
504 security guards jobs
- Brink's500 security guards jobs
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Compare different security guards
Security guard vs. Enforcement officer
The enforcement officer is someone who promotes and enforces policies, instructions, and obligations of tenants. An enforcement officer aims to resolve two parties' issues that may arise from orders given by the admin or management. Among the enforcement officers' tasks is to assist in evictions, render payments, and inform them of new ordinances and instructions for tenants to abide by. An enforcement officer may also be tasked to ensure that a judgment or resolution is enforced and observed.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a security guard are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "law enforcement," "surveillance equipment," and "loss prevention." On the other hand, a job as an enforcement officer requires skills like "data entry," "issue citations," "collating," and "public safety." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Enforcement officers really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $45,770. Comparatively, security guards tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $30,916.The education levels that enforcement officers earn slightly differ from security guards. In particular, enforcement officers are 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a security guard. Additionally, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security guard 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, security guard responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "law enforcement," "front desk," and "fire hazards." Meanwhile, a protective officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "patients," "security procedures," "criminal justice," and "vehicle inspections." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Protective officers may earn a higher salary than security guards, but protective officers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $38,169. On the other hand, security guards receive higher pay in the utilities industry, where they earn an average salary of $30,916.In general, protective officers achieve similar levels of education than security guards. They're 3.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security guard vs. Community services officer
Community service offers or CSO support in crime response, investigation, and prevention where police powers are not necessary. The community service officers assist the police officers in terms of upholding order and law in the community. They provide citizens with customer service, community outreach, and patrol. It is their job to implement city codes and other non-criminal police associated duties. They provide non-EMS in-home and on-site assistance to the citizens. Also, they respond to non-criminal complaints, building checks, and more.
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 guard is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "ladders," "security services," and "law enforcement," while a typical community services officer is skilled in "public safety," "rehabilitation," "criminal justice," and "animal control."
Community services officers earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $42,187. Comparatively, security guards have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $30,916.When it comes to education, community services officers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to security guards. In fact, they're 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security guard vs. Public safety officer
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.
Types of security guard
Updated January 8, 2025
