The security industry has a reputation problem, at least when it comes to women. Too many people still assume it’s not a place for them. Too physical, too aggressive, too male-dominated. But what happens when you ask the women who actually work in the industry?
We put that question to over 100 women in security across the UK, from frontline officers to team leaders. Here are the biggest myths they’re tired of hearing and how their careers have debunked every single one.
Let’s start with the one they hear the most.
“Women Aren’t Physically Strong Enough for Security Work”
This is the myth that frustrated women the most. Over 70% said their career has directly debunked it.
The reality is that modern security is built on communication and de-escalation, not brute force. More than half the women we spoke to said de-escalating difficult situations is the most rewarding part of their job.
One respondent put it perfectly: “You don’t have to be the biggest one in the room to command respect.” Another was even more direct: “Security isn’t about physical strength. Learn how to talk with different people and learn de-escalation strategies.”
And then there’s the woman who was told she was too short for the police back in 1990. She went into security instead, and spent the next 33 years proving everyone wrong.
“Women Are Too Emotional for the Pressures of the Job”
Nearly three-quarters of the women we surveyed said they’ve debunked this one. And honestly, the responses speak for themselves.
One woman working in A&E security described calming a young man having a mental health episode who spoke no English. She used Google Translate to get through to him. That’s not being “too emotional.” That’s being resourceful under pressure.
What some people dismiss as emotional is often exactly what makes women effective in these roles. Empathy, awareness, the ability to read a situation before it escalates — these aren’t weaknesses. As one respondent said, “We can react quickly and confidently. We can identify a threat before it appears.”
The mental resilience this job demands is real. But it’s not gendered.
“Security Is a Man’s World with No Place for Women”
This was the single most debunked myth in our entire survey. 73% of women said their career has proven them wrong.
That doesn’t mean the challenges aren’t real. Over half reported not being taken seriously by male colleagues, and inappropriate comments came up repeatedly. But the response was overwhelmingly the same: they stayed, they pushed through, and they proved the doubters wrong.
As one woman with over 40 years in the industry put it: “Strive for success and don’t give up.” The female security community is growing, and the more women who enter, the harder this myth becomes to sustain.
“You Can’t Have a Long-Term, Fulfilling Career as a Woman in Security”
We heard from women with 1 year of experience and women with over 40. Women who’ve been promoted multiple times, moved into management, and mentored the next generation.
When we asked what they’d do differently, the most common answer was “nothing, I’m happy with the path I’ve taken.” The second most common? “I wish I’d been more confident from the start.”
Not “I wish I’d left.”
Just “I wish I’d backed myself earlier.”
The security industry offers real career progression, and women are taking advantage of it.
“It’s All About Standing on Doors and Looking Tough”
This wasn’t an official myth highlighted in our survey, but it came through loud and clear. Over 40% of women said the job turned out to be nothing like they expected (in a good way). Less confrontation, more communication. More professional, more varied.
Women in our survey work in hospitals, corporate buildings, events, retail, and the public sector. One respondent summed it up: “The security industry is vastly varied and not just about bouncers on the door. There are ample opportunities for growth.”
The Myths Are Fading, The Women Are Staying
And there you have it. Five security myths debunked, not by a report, but by the women doing the work every day. The industry still has progress to make, but the direction is clear: more women are entering, more are staying, and more are rising.
If you’ve been thinking about security but held back because of what you’ve heard, consider this: the women already in it wish they’d started sooner. And Get Licensed’s security training scholarship for women can help you take that first step.
Apply today for a chance at free SIA training, or browse through our security courses and book your course.
