The role of a security guard is not as straightforward as it appears. These professionals are tasked with a lot of responsibility. Their skillset involves navigating workplaces and high-risk situations. Depending on the level of security guard one is, this will also dictate what background is required to act effectively. This guide will help you become the best fit for corporate security Sydney when it comes to security services in Australia and Canada.
Security guards are provided policies and procedures to follow. There is no tolerance to behaving outside of those bounds. Even at the top levels of security, everyone has instructions to follow. Adherence is a requirement of the job. That’s why security guards need to complete their training before commencing the job. Programs like Security Guard Training Ontario ensure these guards are qualified and suitable for protecting others.
Security guards are also there to maintain order. It’s a skill to know exactly how to do that in the many situations you might find yourself in. Creating a safe environment means eliminating authorized presences on the premises and ensuring assets are protected.
Let’s explore more skills you need to be a security guard.
1. Calm Personality
As a security guard, you do not want to be overly excitable, anxious, or aggressive. Polite communication, maintaining a calm tone of voice and demeanor that itself is not aggressive, and being reasonable are all important to establishing security.
2. Honest And Trustworthiness
A security guard has a lot of access. Above all else, they have to be honest and trustworthy. People should feel safe around you. This is why background checks are done and security guard certifications are a requirement. A qualified candidate will know how to make a strong first impression. In those early moments with someone, they will decide whether you are someone they can trust or not.
3. Knowledge of Suspicious Behavior
A highly observant guard is a good guard. Suspicious behavior and safety risks are not always obvious, especially among the untrained. As a security guard, you have to watch, observe, and identify suspicious behaviour that could lead to potential criminal activity. Though not all suspicious behavior to a security guard will indicate criminality, understanding when to intervene becomes another skill one has to develop.
4. Technical Knowledge
People underestimate how much technical knowledge you need to work in security. As a security guard, you are tasked with efficiently using a wide variety of security systems and security technology. The more you know about this software and hardware, the better. Some level of technical knowledge is an absolute requirement in modern security.
5. Calmness In Emergency Situations
A security guard is the first on the scene in an emergency. They are charged with providing guidance and operating in calmness when there’s a fire breakout, a robbery, break-in, or any situation that can be classified as an emergency.
This is why having First Aid and CPR is a must. Crisis management skills can be helpful. The more trained and specialized a security guard’s background is, the better off they are at handling difficult situations.
6. Solve Problems Quickly And Efficiently
Security is all about problem-solving. You are on guard to identify a threat. Security guards are looked to for a measured response to threats and it is what you do in these situations that can either make things worse or resolve the problem. As a security guard gains more experience, problem-solving gets to be easier. That said, from day one, you need some strong skills in this department.
7. Observational and Monitoring Skills
You may be tasked with supervising a fairly large area. It can be difficult to uphold security everywhere, leading to strategies such as CCTV, patrols, and similar initiatives to cover more ground than what would normally be possible. As a security guard, you must be able to observe and monitor, know what to disregard and what needs attention paid to it.
8. Strong Communication
If there is one underrated aspect of being a security guard, it’s communication. You may be expected to communicate with a wide variety of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems. You must have good conversations with these people, speaking clearly and directly and without being overly aggressive, overly shy, or having an inappropriate response.
9. Physical Fitness
A security guard has got to be able to act in a very physical way in certain situations. They need to be strong and able to restrain somebody in a safe manner easily. Plus, they have to be able to move quickly, either in reflex or in a chase. Someone with pre-existing health conditions that limit their strength or speed isn’t going to perform certain functions in the role of security.
10. Strong Memory
A security guard has to remember a lot in the moment as they supervise and monitor situations. They must be able to remember long-term information about clients. Plus, they must understand security operations and adapt to the needs of the client.
