Much more than an intimidating look and license to carry a gun goes into making a corporate security guard. Yes, there are minimum standards required to become licensed, and this is important. But, to become a quality security guard, you need to have the right knowledge, skills, and traits. After all, we entrust security guards to not only protect establishments but the lives of our loved ones.
Modern society is full of challenges, and to meet these challenges, organizations are becoming that much more complex. As the business environment continues to evolve, it brings a host of security challenges that didn’t exist a few years ago.
In the security industry, there has been an increased demand for data security services and professionals. Take, for instance, security guard work; there are many routes you could take, including correction and patrol work, parking enforcement, hospital and healthcare, airport security, and perhaps the most lucrative of all, a corporate security guard.
What’s more, the corporate security industry gives you an opportunity to enter a flexible vocation with plenty of potentials to further your career in security management, a c-suite, or even a CSO.
What is Corporate Security?
First of all, Security is a term that means different things to different people. To a young corporate security guard, it describes the level of protection needed to keep potential harm from clients. For non-security personnel, the notion of security comes from a place of emotion, a feeling of safety and secureness.
Keeping people safe and secure is vital to any business. Generally speaking, corporate protection refers to a process of identifying and applying physical, legal, and technological measures to help mitigate potential risks that a company may face. Identifying and mitigating anything that could harm the business’s reputation and hinder finances.
Additionally, many industries and corporations will benefit from a well-planned security program ― from manufacturers to property developers, banks, and retail corporations. At the forefront of any organization needs to be securing premises, employees, executives, clientele, and company data. Securing the premises of any business is dependent on a variety of factors. These factors include assets, locations, and the number of employees.
A corporate security team protects the organization from a range of internal and external threats, including those confined to the physical world and in cyberspace. Not only that, security teams may have to manage evolving threats such as domestic and international terrorism.
What is important to remember: a security guard that’s spent years working on construction sites or within large events does not mean they are well equipped to work in a corporate environment.
We can say the same thing for companies offering these services. Just because the company is the largest in the city does not mean they have proficient and professional resources to deploy.
Often working in a corporate environment as a security guard provides a great foundation to progress into “in-house” roles within organizations, extending to executive protection perhaps.
Major global corporations, high-profile buildings such as embassies and government service buildings have far greater expectations and service level agreements in place.
Corporate security is a different ball game. Much like a hotel, the guard force must not only have the ability to detect, deter, delay, and respond. In addition, they need to be able to communicate at a high level, as they will often be the first person the visitor encounters. And building and business operators require extensive paperwork for auditing, legal and record purposes.
Anybody paying for a single security guard in a high-rise sat behind a desk conducting concierge services, with expectations of also monitoring CCTV, writing reports, managing access control, implementing patrols, simply does not have a secure or safe building.
The roles of corporate security services and expectations extend far beyond a single guard at the front desk.
– Adam Green, Certified Security Management Professional
The Role of a Corporate Security Guard
There’s little room for error when protecting the physical safety of employees. Whether you agree or not, security is the eyes and ears of any company. And so, it’s critical to ensure security teams have the resources they need to fulfill their duties. Because the security squad is most effective when baked into the entire company culture.
Besides, there is a difference between a regular security guard and a corporate security guard. The level of skill corporate security officers have is higher, having gone through more rigorous training and are licensed to carry a weapon. Also, officers know the various levels of force they can apply in different situations.
They aim to keep their assigned corporation safe and secure at all times. As they work with the entire corporate security team, officers are involved in ensuring objectives are finished. Above all else, people skills are necessary for the role of an officer to communicate effectively with different types of clients and professionals. In fact, aspects of a corporate security guard are akin to that of a concierge.
Other roles of a guard include:
- Control and manage access to all business establishments
- Manage technological systems like CCTV cameras
- Ensure employees and clients or visitors adhere to WHS policies
- Respond to workplace emergencies as they arise
- Perform internal and external patrols of the company buildings
Depending on the organization, officers are carefully chosen based on their professionalism, skills base, mannerisms, and aptitude. The requirement for entry-level positions is preparation and training. Training providers recommend applying for the Level 2 SIA Door Supervisor course. The course is an upgraded license and will let you work anywhere in security, including corporate.
And like any other job, you need to get the proper training first.
The Challenges of Being a Security Guard
The schedule of a security guard can be demanding, working beyond the standard office hours. Many times, the security guard schedule includes night work and weekends if required by the employer. The reality of security work is that one needs to be prepared for events without warning, any time of day. Alas, attackers and intruders steal or compromise a business establishment during typical office hours.
Whenever there are crowds of people to deal with, for example, during a corporate event, an officer is more distracted. These situations are challenging because the lack of a clear visual field makes it hard to see everything happening and identify a culprit if need be. Thankfully, using cameras and other technological aids helps a lot, offering guards another line of sight.
Final Thoughts
Having corporate security is a benefit to any business. For starters, the main objective for the entire security team is to ensure the safety and security of the company’s assets. In many ways, security guards enhance the team, helping to provide usable practices and a sure-fire environment.
The security industry is not an easy field of work, but there are many benefits to the role of a corporate security guard, and a career should not be overlooked. Yes, a certain level of training and knowledge is needed to be successful in the job. In any case, the role of a security officer is a rewarding one as you get to learn something new every day.
Not only that, but the future career possibilities for those who serve and protect are endless. So, if you’re looking to get into the industry, sign up for our newsletter. We’ll not only update you on the latest executive protection jobs but also give you tips and techniques that’ll help you grow professionally.
