Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Guard (Security Guard)

🎯 Role Definition

A Guard (Security Guard) is responsible for protecting people, property, and assets by proactively preventing and responding to incidents through visible presence, patrolling, monitoring systems, access control, and professional interaction with visitors, tenants or customers. This role blends physical security tasks, surveillance, incident reporting, and customer-service-driven risk mitigation to maintain a safe environment for businesses, residential sites, events, and public facilities. Strong candidates demonstrate attention to detail, sound judgment under pressure, and familiarity with standard security technologies (CCTV, access control, alarm systems) and emergency procedures.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Night attendant, receptionist, or customer service associate transitioning to security roles
Military or law enforcement veterans entering civilian security positions
Retail loss prevention associate or parking attendant

Advancement To:

Lead Security Officer / Shift Supervisor
Security Team Leader / Site Supervisor
Loss Prevention Specialist or Investigator
Corporate Security Manager or Security Operations Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Facilities Coordinator / Building Manager
Emergency Management Technician
Event Security Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct scheduled and random foot and vehicle patrols of assigned premises to deter and detect signs of intrusion, vandalism, trespass, or safety hazards, documenting observations in detailed daily logs to support trend analysis and liability mitigation.
Monitor live CCTV feeds, digital video recorders, and remote surveillance systems continuously to identify suspicious behavior or security breaches, escalate incidents according to protocol, and preserve video evidence for investigations and law enforcement.
Control access at entry points by verifying credentials, issuing and collecting visitor badges, performing ID checks, and enforcing site-specific access control policies to prevent unauthorized entry and protect restricted areas.
Respond immediately and professionally to alarm activations, disturbance calls, fire or medical emergencies, executing established emergency response procedures, coordinating with on-site emergency teams, and summoning police, fire or medical services when necessary.
Prepare clear, accurate, and timely incident reports, witness statements, and chain-of-custody documentation for property loss, accidents, criminal activity, and policy violations; maintain logs that meet legal and company audit requirements.
Provide effective crowd control and public order management during high-traffic events, demonstrations, or emergency evacuations by implementing pre-defined plans, directing pedestrian flows, and coordinating with event organizers and public safety officials.
Conduct perimeter and facility security checks including gates, fences, doors, windows, lighting, and building systems; identify and report maintenance issues that could create security vulnerabilities or safety hazards.
Perform physical searches of persons, vehicles, and property when authorized, following legal standards and company policies to balance loss prevention objectives with respect for privacy and civil rights.
Detain and hand over suspected shoplifters or trespassers to law enforcement when appropriate, using safe restraint procedures, documenting the event, and cooperating fully with subsequent investigations.
Provide first response life-safety support such as administering basic first aid, CPR/AED (when certified), and initial fire suppression steps until emergency medical services arrive, and report all medical incidents through the appropriate channels.
Escort employees, VIPs, and visitors safely across or through controlled areas and during shift changes, ensuring personal safety when moving through poorly lit, isolated, or high-risk zones.
Enforce company policies, site rules, parking regulations, and safety procedures; apply progressive, documented measures to address violations while maintaining a professional and calm demeanor.
Conduct loss prevention tasks including inventory monitoring, merchandise protection, and coordinated shrink reduction tactics with retail management or corporate loss prevention teams.
Execute access control system administration tasks such as activating/deactivating access cards, maintaining access logs, and coordinating with facilities teams to provision temporary credentials for contractors and visitors.
Participate in security audits, risk assessments, and vulnerability scans by providing on-the-ground insights, reporting observed gaps, and recommending corrective actions to reduce exposure to theft, vandalism, or safety incidents.
Deliver routine briefings and handovers to incoming shifts, communicating ongoing incidents, unresolved hazards, special instructions, and maintenance of continuity across teams to ensure seamless coverage and accountability.
Maintain security equipment and supplies (radios, flashlights, barriers, restraints, PPE), perform basic troubleshooting of electronic systems, and coordinate repairs or replacements with site maintenance or external vendors.
Assist in developing and conducting site-specific safety training, evacuation drills, and tabletop exercises to improve readiness, refine emergency procedures, and increase staff awareness of security protocols.
Liaise and build working relationships with local law enforcement, emergency responders, tenants, management, and contractors to ensure cohesive incident response, investigations, and community safety initiatives.
Implement and follow incident escalation matrices and legal reporting obligations (e.g., notifying authorities for violent crimes), ensuring compliance with applicable laws, union agreements, and corporate policies.

Secondary Functions

Support facility managers with access audits, key-control inventories, and periodic reviews of security post orders to align daily operations with corporate safety standards.
Conduct vulnerability checks and contribute to the site's security improvement projects by providing front-line feedback during planning and rollout of new systems.
Assist HR and management with employee safety orientations that include basic personal safety tips, reporting procedures, and emergency contacts.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and evidence, ensuring records are stored and transmitted according to privacy and chain-of-custody requirements.
Provide courteous customer service to tenants, guests, and members of the public by answering questions, providing directions, and escalating service issues to appropriate staff.
Participate in after-action reviews following major incidents to identify lessons learned and help update standard operating procedures and training curricula.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in CCTV monitoring and video review, including recognizing suspicious patterns, exporting footage, and tagging incidents for investigations.
Experience operating access control systems (card readers, biometric devices), visitor management software, and issuing temporary credentials.
Knowledge of alarm response procedures, basic fire safety systems, fire extinguisher usage, and emergency shutdown protocols.
Competent in incident report writing, witness statement collection, and maintaining defensible documentation for legal and insurance purposes.
Familiarity with radio communication protocols, two-way radio operation, and basic dispatch coordination.
Certified in CPR/AED and Basic First Aid (or willing to obtain) with practical first-response capability.
Understanding of applicable local laws, regulations, and use-of-force guidelines governing detention, searches, and citizen's arrest.
Ability to use mobile security apps, electronic logbooks, and digital scheduling/shift-management tools.
Skilled in basic conflict de-escalation techniques, non-violent intervention, and safe restraint methods consistent with company policy.
Knowledge of loss prevention best practices, inventory protection techniques, and retail shrink mitigation strategies.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills and situational awareness with the ability to interpret subtle security indicators and act proactively.
Excellent verbal communication and professional customer-service orientation when interacting with the public, clients, and emergency personnel.
Calm under pressure and decisive, able to make rule-based decisions quickly during security incidents or emergencies.
Integrity and high ethical standards with an emphasis on confidentiality, trustworthiness, and reliability.
Team collaboration and handover discipline to maintain continuity, escalate issues, and participate constructively in debriefs and training.
Time management and the ability to stay vigilant and productive during long or overnight shifts.
Problem-solving mindset with a focus on minimizing risk while prioritizing safety and legal compliance.
Cultural sensitivity and conflict-resolution skills for diverse environments with tenants, visitors, or patrons.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (often required). Equivalent experience in military, emergency services, or law enforcement may be acceptable.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or vocational training in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement
Security Management / Loss Prevention
Emergency Management / Public Safety
Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level: 0–2 years of security, customer-facing, or safety-related experience.
Mid-level: 2–5 years of progressive security or loss-prevention experience.
Supervisory: 5+ years with documented leadership, shift management, and incident oversight.

Preferred:

Previous experience in retail security, corporate site security, event security, or municipal facility protection.
Valid security guard license or registration as required by jurisdiction (for example, SIA license in the UK or state licensure in the US).
Certifications such as CPR/AED, First Aid, and specialized training (conflict de-escalation, active shooter response, crowd management) are highly preferred.
Clean background check, drug screening, and the ability to pass site-specific onboarding requirements (drug-free workplace, TB test, vaccination policies where applicable).