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Security Guards A major role in the security industry
Changes in technology have made a huge difference to the role that Security Guards play in the protection of assets, and the people who work in large organisations against attack and unwanted intruders. Expert Security Guard Training therefore plays a pivotal role in fulfilling these demanding roles supported by an industry standard SIA Licence.
SIA stands for the Security Industry Authority, the body who monitor the distribution of the SIA Licence. In the past these roles were filled by ex policemen/women or former members of the armed forces, but times have changed. The SIA now works in conjunction with the Home Secretary to ensure that certain standards of training are met.
Because some security personnel are supplied to business organisations by external agencies, it is vital to the company doing the hiring that the workforce supplied to them are professionally trained to handle any situation. The SIA Licence is proof that the employees of the appointed agency reach all the required standards.
The actual role a Security Guard plays is determined by the final employer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean sitting behind a desk late at night as a deterrent to opportunists. Large organisations such as banks, hospitals, museums or government offices will normally have a Director of Security that is held solely responsible for the safety of staff and the business assets.
In large organisations Security Guards will work as a team, but in smaller locations such as independent stores guards may work alone. Regardless of the size of the company a major role of Security Guards is to act almost invisibly, they are there to create an atmosphere where staff and the general public feel safe not intimidated. For example, a high street store with a row of uniformed guards at the door wouldn’t look particularly inviting to customers, unless of course Madonna happened to be indulging in a spot of retail therapy.
It’s easy to see from this illustration why in some cases, particularly in retail outlets, large exclusive hotels or diamond encrusted jewellery stores security personnel may not be uniformed, and the only clue to their role would be their closed circuit radio controls and even they might be hands-free or invisible. This inconspicuous method allows security personnel to mingle with the crowds and observe, particularly true in the case of Close Protectors formerly known as body guards.
In the case of guards assigned to reception areas it’s their job to monitor visitors to the building as well as employees who come and go during the day. This is especially important in office blocks that don’t have electronic entry systems. You might wonder at times why it’s important that you are required to give your name and the name of the person you are visiting in an office. This is not just a courtesy, where there to be an emergency such as a fire or terrorist threat, it’s a security measure to determine the final roll-call of the people in the premises, often managed by security personnel in conjunction with appointed fire and emergency officers.
Part of Security Guard Training will cover the daily reporting of incidents, the frequent checking of alarm systems, doors gates and any damage to the building that might pose a threat to safety. In large premises the Security Guard might be expected to monitor some CCTV equipment aimed at entrances, exits and car parks, but where fully integrated CCTV systems are deployed the security guard will be expected to work in conjunction with the CCTV operations team.
This brief outline has barely scratched the surface of what a major role Security Guards play in safeguarding the public and commerce. It’s a fascinating area of work that can lead to excellent future prospects for those intending to embark on a career in the security industry. An SIA Licence will open many doors for the future and the financial rewards are excellent.
