What is Physical Security?
Physical security refers to the services of protection offered by guards, surveillance, barriers, access controls, or other specially designed security systems. All of these aforementioned security systems are an integral part of physical security and ensure the safety of not just people but also of physical property including valuable items, resources, and more. It further includes the provision of security against potential intruders, thefts, and even attacks.
How is Physical Security used?
Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how physical security is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to physical security below:
- Conduct facilities physical security risk assessments as well as any other required physical security assessment in support of bank's operation.
- Performed physical security for a Department of Defense cleared facility with numerous sensitive programs.
- Restrained the loss of merchandise and property damage through executing physical security standards.
- Executed physical security audits/inspections informing leadership of AP and security concerns.
- Provide physical security, detecting shoplifters, and internal investigations.
- Maintained store surveillance systems to monitor building physical security.
Are Physical Security skills in demand?
Yes, physical security skills are in demand today. Currently, 6,146 job openings list physical security skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include physical security skills are assets protection specialist, armorer, and law enforcement specialist.
How hard is it to learn Physical Security?
Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use physical security the most: assets protection specialist, armorer, and law enforcement specialist. The complexity level of these jobs is basic.
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What jobs can you get with Physical Security skills?
You can get a job as a assets protection specialist, armorer, and law enforcement specialist with physical security skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with physical security skills.
Assets Protection Specialist
Job description:
An assets protection specialist is an individual who is responsible for implementing safety and environmental programs to their assigned store or multiple stores as well as prevent financial loss caused by theft and fraud. Asset protection specialists are required to monitor the store's physical security and audit electronic article surveillance. They also prepare accurate and detailed case reports and interact with law enforcement as well as testify in criminal and civil court actions. Asset protection specialists must also report any hazardous or unsafe condition to the manager on duty.
- CCTV
- Physical Security
- Exception Reports
- Criminal Justice
- POS
- Electronic Article Surveillance
Law Enforcement Specialist
Job description:
In the military, a law enforcement specialist is in charge of preventing and investigating crimes within the military bases. Although the extent of their responsibilities highly depends on their area of assignment, it usually includes patrolling different places, responding to distress and other emergencies, conducting interviews on witnesses and suspects, and monitoring security systems. There are also instances when they must keep guard of facilities and properties. Moreover, as a law enforcement specialist, it is essential to be proactive and alert in dealing with different situations due to the nature of the job.
- Physical Security
- Patrol
- Field Training
- Data Entry
- Public Safety
- Emergency Calls
Protection Specialist
Job description:
Protection specialists are security professionals who provide physical security and protection of the exterior and interior of their client companies' property. These specialists are required to utilize CCTV to detect and investigate fraudulent activities as well as provide security over the watch protection to prevent the loss of a company's assets. They must apprehend suspected thieves and detain them in a secure facility until the arrival of the local law enforcement officers. Protection specialists must also provide transportation and personal security for the CEO of the company, executive management, and designated other employees.
- Guest Service
- Physical Security
- Safety Issues
- Safety Procedures
- Loss Prevention
- Fraud Issues
Chaplains Assistant
Job description:
Chaplain Assistants are military ministers who assist chaplains in their missions and daily activities by supporting the unit ministry team programs and worship services. These assistants must coordinate the necessary force protection requirements to conduct religious support operations for their combat missions. They are required to prepare their facilities for various religious services to support their team's programs and worship services. Chaplain Assistants must also maintain reports, files, and administrative data for their religious operations.
- Administrative Data
- Communication Equipment
- Combat
- Physical Security
- Worship Services
- Privileged Communications
Store Loss Prevention Manager
- CCTV
- Store Operations
- Store Associates
- Retail Store
- Physical Security
- External Theft
Security Specialist
Job description:
A security specialist is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's database, ensuring that it's free from cyber threats and unusual activities. Security specialists' duties include upgrading hardware and software applications, configuring networks to improve optimization, addressing any unauthorized access on the database, troubleshooting system discrepancies, conducting security audits on the system, and improving automated processes. A security specialist must have a strong command of programming languages and system codes, as well as broad experience with technical expertise.
- Ladders
- Security Incidents
- Physical Security
- Patrol
- Customer Service
- Security Clearance
Physical Security Specialist
Job description:
A physical security specialist focuses on implementing security measures to keep establishments and people safe. Their responsibilities include installing and monitoring security alarms and systems, conducting physical inspections according to protocols, using metal detectors and other devices, screening guests and visitors, and performing regular maintenance checks on security systems to ensure its quality and efficiency. Furthermore, as a physical security specialist, it is essential to develop strategies to secure an establishment's entry and exit points, establishing guidelines and training programs for employees.
- Law Enforcement
- Physical Security
- Control Systems
- DOD
- SCI
- Fire Protection
Corporate Security Manager
- Security Procedures
- Physical Security
- Security Systems
- Security Operations
- CCTV
- Crisis Management
Director, Corporate Security
Job description:
A director of corporate security oversees and directs the security operations of an organization, aiming to protect assets and individuals. They primarily develop strategic plans, set goals and security protocols, establish timelines and budgets, participate in the recruitment and hiring procedures, and coordinate the security details for an efficient workflow. They also conduct research and risk assessments, delegate responsibilities among teams, and supervise overall operations, resolving issues and concerns if any arise. There are also times when they investigate breaches or security lapses, developing strategies to ensure it does not happen again.
- Risk Management
- Oversight
- Security Operations
- Criminal Justice
- Physical Security
- Law Enforcement Agencies
How much can you earn with Physical Security skills?
You can earn up to $42,374 a year with physical security skills if you become a assets protection specialist, the highest-paying job that requires physical security skills. Armorers can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $44,217 a year.
| Job title | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Assets Protection Specialist | $42,374 | $20 |
| Armorer | $44,217 | $21 |
| Law Enforcement Specialist | $75,567 | $36 |
| Protection Specialist | $76,307 | $37 |
| Chaplains Assistant | $42,258 | $20 |
Companies using Physical Security in 2025
The top companies that look for employees with physical security skills are Target, The Home Depot, and HSS. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention physical security skills most frequently.
| Rank | Company | % of all skills | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Target | 27% | 10,803 |
| 2 | The Home Depot | 24% | 15,855 |
| 3 | HSS | 9% | 93 |
| 4 | Allied Universal | 4% | 0 |
| 5 | U.S. Department of the Treasury | 3% | 15 |
Departments using Physical Security
The departments that use physical security the most are legal, non profit/government, and facilities.
| Department | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Legal | $67,921 |
| Non Profit/Government | $55,092 |
| Facilities | $39,363 |
1 courses for Physical Security skills
1. Physical Security/Risk Management
This course is designed for people who have been volunteered to be the Safety & Security Focal Point for their organisation or who may be responsible for safety & security but have no training and experience. It is an excellent baseline course to help you become serious about the safety and security of staff, assets, organisation or company reputation and business continuity. Course subjects include: INTRODUCTORY LEVEL 1. INTRODUCTION. 2. THE FOUNDATIONS - CORE READING 1 3. CRITICAL THINKING - CORE READING 2 4. THE THREAT ASSESSMENT - CORE READING 3 5. THE THREAT LIST - MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT ASSESSING THE THREAT6. MEASURING & PRIORITIZING THE THREATS 7. DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES - CORE READING 4...