Security is a top priority for individuals and their properties. Both the police and private security industries play crucial roles in ensuring this protection. Security guards perform various tasks to ensure the protection of their clients. Below are the 5 Basic Duties and Responsibilities of a Security Guard that apply to any site and situation.
5 Basic Duties and Responsibilities of a Security Guard:
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Protection of People and property
The primary duty of a security guard is to protect people and their properties. Individuals hire security guards to protect themselves from physical harm, criminal activities, or other threats to their lives. In such situations, security guards often serve as personal bodyguards, ensuring their clients’ safety.
In addition to personal protection, property security is a significant concern for many people. Whether individuals are present or absent, properties can be vulnerable to theft, robbery, and vandalism. To mitigate these risks, private security companies are often engaged to provide professional security services.
As a security guard, you play a vital role in property protection by implementing the following measures:
- Identify and Report Crimes: Recognize crimes against people and property if a crime is in progress immediately contact the police to intervene.
- Address Safety Hazards: Identify safety hazards that could endanger people and property. Report and manage these hazards immediately to prevent accidents and damage.
- Maintain Visibility and Vigilance: Stay visible and attentive during your duties to deter potential crimes against people and properties.
- Control Unauthorized Property Removal: Ensure that no property is removed from the premises without the owner’s authorization.
- Monitor On-Site Workers: Supervise maintenance or service workers while they are on-site to ensure security protocols are followed.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, security guards provide a crucial layer of protection, ensuring safety and peace of mind for people and their properties.
2. Monitoring Surveillance Systems
CCTV and network cameras are important tools for monitoring and securing areas that require protection.
In most of the sites, security guard posts are equipped with monitors with camera displays. In larger organizations, a security control room often manages these surveillance systems to oversee specific areas.
A security guard working as a control room operator is responsible for the following surveillance activities:
- Regularly observing camera displays to detect unusual activities.
- Monitoring the outer perimeter and high-value storage areas for potential intrusions.
- Keeping an eye on machinery rooms, safety hazard zones, and areas of risk, such as garbage disposal zones.
- Watching employee access in unauthorized zones.
- Overseeing site workers to ensure they are performing tasks safely and in the correct locations.
- Filming scenes and monitoring incidents from their initial stages to the end.
- Backing up recordings as evidence for investigations or reports.
- Recording incidents systematically for records and reporting purposes.
3. Access Control Duties
Access control is a crucial security measure for protecting people and property, and security guards actively implement it on-site. While access control duties may vary based on the security post, company policies, client needs, and threat levels, here are the standard responsibilities security guards perform:
- Manage and Control People’s Movement
Control the entry and exit of employees, visitors, vendors, and others allowing only authorized personnel to enter the premises.
- Control Vehicle Access
Ensure vehicles enter one at a time, approve only authorized vehicles, and stop unauthorized ones from entering the premises.
- Handle Access Control Tools
Secure access cards, keys, and barriers, and prevent unauthorized access to these tools.
- Secure Access Control Areas
Protect high-value items by maintaining physical security or security systems.
- Check Gate Passes for Goods
Verify gate passes for outgoing goods to prevent the removal of unauthorized items.
- Inspect Deliveries
Check all incoming and outgoing goods to ensure no prohibited or unauthorized items are transported.
- Deny Unauthorized Access
Prevent employees or individuals from entering restricted areas without proper authorization.
4. Responding to Emergencies
Emergencies, whether manmade or natural, pose significant risks to lives and property. Security guards receive training to handle emergencies effectively as part of their professional responsibilities.
To manage challenging situations, site owners or clients often develop an emergency response plan in consultation with experts. Since each type of emergency requires a unique approach, security guards must familiarize themselves with the site-specific plan.
Preparation is key to effective emergency response. Security guards should be ready and aware of the following actions:
- Respond Quickly
Act immediately during emergencies like fires, floods, accidents, or other critical incidents.
- Follow the Site Emergency Plan
Stay calm and implement the site’s emergency plan while assisting people to evacuate the area safely.
- Seek Assistance
Request help from coworkers, bystanders, or available resources when needed.
- Call Emergency Services
Notify government emergency response agencies without delay to ensure prompt action.
- Conduct Evacuations
Evacuate buildings during fires or earthquakes by assessing risks and guiding people to safety.
- Keep Exit Routes Clear
Ensure exit routes remain unobstructed, and if blocked, work to open them quickly during emergencies.
- Facilitate Emergency Vehicle Access
Clear traffic or obstacles to allow emergency response vehicles to approach the site easily.
- Prioritize Vulnerable Individuals
Assist people of determination, injured individuals, and children first during evacuation or rescue efforts.
5. Recording and Reporting
Security guards must strictly follow company rules and ensure these rules are implemented by staff, visitors, and vendors. If someone breaches security rules, you have to record it in your notebook and report it to your supervisor or client.
As part of your duty, you should always record in your notebook the unusual activities, accidents, or any incidents that occur during your shift. This helps you to write a comprehensive security report that captures all relevant details.
For proper recording the security breaches or incidents, you should follow the standard guidelines and format a clear, factual, and professional report.
You can refer to detailed instructions and examples for security report writing through this link.
These 5 Basic Duties and Responsibilities of a Guard highlight the essential tasks every professional security guard performs to protect people and property. By executing these responsibilities diligently, security guards ensure safety, maintain order, and address risks effectively.
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