Security guards is a high profile position with a huge amount of responsibility involved. Every single day businesses, individuals, and the public put their safety in the hands of a few highly trained professionals.
This is one of the most scrutinised roles in the world, also one of the jobs that is subject to the most misconceptions about what exactly is involved.
In this blog, one of the top security companies Newcastle will take you through some of the most common myths about security guards, lifting the curtain and showing just why security guards are so important in maintaining security across the nation.
Myth 1: Anyone can be a security guard
Not true at all. Not only do you need a few very specialist skills and attributes to be a security guard, but you also need a licence that requires extensive training before being allowed to carry out security guard duties.
In the UK, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) are the ones who provide such training, and only once you have obtained an SIA licence can you provide security guard services.
SIA training involves all aspects of being a security guard, including conflict resolution, emergency response, and CCTV surveillance.
Myth 2: Security Guards are all for show
It is no secret that one of the biggest benefits of employing security guards on your premises is that the sight of them patrolling the property will deter criminals from targeting you in the first place.
However, it would be completely false to say that their presence is purely aesthetic.
As mentioned, security guards are highly trained in a variety of key security services and will spring into action if there is a security breach or similar emergency situation on their property.
De-escalation is their primary objective and keeping the public out of harms way will always be their number one priority. In the event of a fire or similar, they will be the ones who will oversee the evacuation and work with the emergency services once they get there to resolve the issues.
Myth 3: All security guards do the same thing
Every single security guard job is different, and whilst they do often share the same assignment the exact approach they take will be tailored specifically to the job at hand.
On some sites, security guards will be stationed solely at the front entrance, checking IDs, watching for suspicious activity and acting as the face of your business.
On others they will be asked to patrol the premises, looking for security breaches and making reports that you can use to adapt your security practices for the better.
Myth 4: Technology is taking over from security guards
Technology is a huge part of modern technology, but it is aiding security guards rather than replacing them.
The modern security guard will be competent in utilising assets such as CCTV and biometric scanners to create the most secure environment possible and make themselves more efficient in the work that they are doing.