Do you wish to start your career in the security industry? There are a lot of job opportunities for both security officers and guards, as the security sector is growing significantly. The terms “security guard” and “security officer” are sometimes used interchangeably, causing misunderstandings regarding the duties and responsibilities of each role. However, an individual must be clear regarding the difference between the roles of different security professionals.
To help you choose the right career path in the security field and to aid in knowing the key difference between a security guard and a security officer, this blog comes in handy. Additionally, you can discover all the aspects of security guards and security officers, including their job description, qualifications, responsibilities, training requirements, etc. Understanding the differences will help you manage your security career in the constantly growing security field.
Role Of Security Guard
A security guard is a person employed by a company or institution to protect its property, wealth, staff, consumers, and clients against theft or some other harm. A security guard might be regarded as the face of a security operation. A security guard is a person who checks that all the tasks related to security are properly done. The main task of a security guard is to protect the place from any kind of crime by keeping a watch and seeing that any abnormal activities do not take place, and if something happens, they can contact the higher authority immediately.
A security guard is a person who reports to a security officer. Guards are positioned at different checkpoints, which include doors, gates, and any other spots that are considered dangerous. Security guards deliver messages to their security officer or command room; however, they rarely decide on security decisions; rather, they follow the orders and rules given by the security officer in charge.
Role Of Security Officer
A Security Officer’s main job is to perform administrative duties which involves supervising every aspect of security operations. They allocate duties to security guards and have significant control over decision-making processes. Security officers are those who have previously worked in security or most companies hire people who are ex-military or ex-police officers since they are more aware of the rules and regulations of security.
Security officers take comprehensive security training that is required to qualify all the security measures. It covers subjects like using fire panels, how to deal with bomb threats, making arrests, and procedures for emergency evacuation. Security officers learn the necessary skills from the training that is given to them which helps them in handling emergencies and safety concerns with ease. The security officers respond or are answerable to the security company and their superiors.
Key Difference Between “Security Guard” And “Security Officer”
To make a wise choice while choosing a job in the security field, you need to be aware of the differences between security guard and security officer jobs. The following are the primary distinctions between the two roles.
1. Difference In Training
The level and depth of training that is received by security officers and security guards is one of the major differences. Training courses that include observational techniques, abilities to resolve disputes, emergency protocols, and legal obligations are usually required for those who want to work as security guards. However, those who want to work as security officers with greater authority may need to complete extensive education and courses that cover specific topics like risk evaluation as well as managerial training classes.
2. Skill
Security guards are usually knowledgeable in security measures and have excellent ability to observe. Their main tasks involve supervising designated parts on foot or by using CCTV cameras and keeping safety and security on the premises. Security officers are considered to have an extensive set of abilities, including management traits, ability to make decisions and good communication skills to coordinate with colleagues and clients.
3. Pay or Salary
Security guards and security officers receive different wages or pay. Because of their challenging role in the organisational structure, security officers typically earn greater salaries. In general, security officers earn more than security guards. Security officers may also be qualified for extra perks like shift variations, communications payments, and transportation allowances. Security guards, on the other hand, are rarely given these additional benefits.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
A major difference can be seen in the level of their roles. The security guard’s main duties are monitoring footage and doing frequent patrols to reduce risks. Shopping centres and retail centres, secured neighbourhoods, galleries and entertainment events, factories or manufacturing facilities, and restricted construction sites are just some of those places that often hire security guards. However, security officers typically perform more complex work partnering with organisations to develop emergency plans and organise emergency drills to comply with laws and get approval.
5. Level of Authority
Security guards and security officers have various degrees of power. The main duty of the security guard is to monitor, report, and carry out regulations. They don’t have a lot of decision-making authority, especially during situations of emergency. But, security officers are in a position of greater responsibility. They excel in difficult roles that involve assessing risks, emergency preparedness, and security guard supervision. These individuals have the expertise and capacity to manage security procedures as well as make important decisions during a situation of emergency.
6. Reporting Authority
The security officer is an individual to whom security guards answer for work assignments and monitoring. They operate directly with the security officer, based on their commands and guidance. Security officer, on the other hand, answers primarily to the security firm and their supervisors. Security officers are granted more control and influence over how they oversee security operations due to this reporting structure. During incidents involving safety, this framework promotes efficient communication and quick decision-making by providing a clear line of authority.
7. Difference in Rank Advancement
Security guards and security officers follow distinct career routes. A security guard may advance up to the position of security officer after displaying their capacity and efficiency. On the other hand, security officers may rise to more advanced roles in the security industry, which include premises manager or patrol director. These advancements frequently come with higher accountability and managerial responsibilities.
Education And Certification Requirements For Security Guards And Security Officers
Security Guards: In Australia, safety guards are commonly required to have a high school degree or equivalent and a Certificate II in Security Operations. This training covers important subjects along with legal problems related to security work, emergency response processes, customer service skills, communication techniques, first aid and CPR certification, and patrol strategies. Additionally, security guards need to get a security guard licence from their state or territory’s regulatory body, which may additionally contain assessments and necessities depending on the unique obligations and varieties of safety work being executed.
Security Officers: Security officers in Australia typically need greater training and education than security guards due to their higher level of duty. In addition to the requirements for security guards, security officials frequently need to complete a Certificate III or IV in Security Operations or equivalent qualifications. This advanced training consists of detailed aspects of security management, risk evaluation, incident response, and management abilities. Security officials must additionally preserve a valid security licence and might want additional certifications or licences, mainly if they’re involved in specialised protection capabilities or supervisory roles.
End Note
Security guards and security officers both keep places safe, but they have different jobs. Guards patrol and watch cameras, while officers manage security plans and handle emergencies. They have different training, pay, and authority levels, leading to distinct career paths in security. Officers might need more training for their bigger roles. Along with this, you also need to know the education and qualifications that are required to be a security guard or security officer.
Knowing these differences helps choose the right person to keep places secure. So, if you are planning to work in a security field, then you can go through the differences and check which field suits you the best.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is a huge difference between a security guard and a security officer. Guards mainly watch and report, while officers deal with paperwork and decision-making. They have different training, pay, and authority levels, leading to different career paths in the security line.
The main role of the security officer is to protect people and property. They play a very important role in assigning duties to security guards and carry significant control over the overall decision-making process.
The highest rank among security guards is given to the commander or chief. These are the people who are responsible for managing and supervising all security employees inside an organisation.
There isn’t any defined number for how many types of security guards exist. Still, in general, there are nine types of security guards including government contract security guards, in-house security guards, contract security guards, unarmed security guards, armed security guards, bodyguards, video surveillance operators, patrol guards, and event security guards. All these security guards are placed in different places, and they manage all the tasks that are assigned to them.
The responsibility of a security guard is to follow all the commands that are given by their seniors. The main task of a security guard is to protect the place from any kind of threat or crime by keeping a watch and making sure that any unusual activities do not take place. And in case something happens, they can contact the higher authority immediately. Additionally, they monitor the cameras that operate on the premises they are in charge of.
The five qualities that a security guard must have are good communication skills, physical fitness, integrity, alertness, and observation skills. Having all these qualities makes an individual fully competitive for the job, after which he or she can easily apply for the job.
The different names through which the security guards are referred are security inspector, protective agent, security agent, safety patrol, security professional, security specialist, company police, and public safety officer. Although all these names are different, their main task is to protect the people and safeguard them from any type of harm.
Although being a security guard is a great career option, it comes with its own disadvantages. As a security guard, you may have to face risky situations, lack of advancement opportunities, and low salaries in comparison to the working hours and efforts it demands. Along with being physically demanding, the job of a security guard can also be mentally stressful due to multiple reasons, such as burnout because of long working hours or the night shift, and you may come across people who may be rude or disrespectful.
