4 Common Outdoor Job Settings for Security Guards

securityguardapp on May 11, 2021

Security is important for all types of businesses and their operations, including the ones that occur outdoor. If any business runs an outdoor operation or section, then the outdoor area needs to be evaluated in the security planning, which will result in the posting of security guards. 

It is not necessary that the security guard’s assignments will only be in an indoor location. In reality, quite a few security officers are posted outdoors. A security guard can expect to be assigned both indoors and outdoors. Here are the four most common outdoor job settings for security guards. 

Parks and Recreation 

In recent years, it is becoming common to assign private security guards to public parks and recreation spaces. Although national and state parks train their own park rangers for this job, it is also common to see private security guards at city and county parks. One of the reasons security guards are being posted at parks by municipalities is vagrancy. Although this task is typically handled by the local police department, it is a low priority for law enforcement. While private guards can’t just issue citations or tickets for violations, their presence can deter unruly behavior and vandalism. So, they can make public space safer with their presence. 

Corporate and Industrial Parks

City councils try to attract business activity and might not think about passing zoning resolutions to build industrial areas and corporate parks. So, it is the responsibility of the property managers to provide security for the tenants. Tenants can also share the costs of security guards posted at industrial and corporate parks as part of their lease contracts.

Events That Attract Crowds

Major events tend to feature dozens of security officers protecting the event from unwanted incidents. When providing security for an event, the responsibilities of security guards may include general security, individual protection, coordination, patrol security, as well as crowd control. 

Parking Lots 

If the parking lots are counted as part of the company’s operation, then the company will have to include them within their security plans, which may include posting of security officers for the purpose of protecting property and people. Some guards may be assigned permanently for patrolling the outdoor parking lot. Some facilities may change guard shifts between indoor and outdoor settings, so security guards don’t settle into habits that compromise their alertness levels.  

Security Risks Your Business Site Faces During Its Off Hours

securityguardapp on April 6, 2021

Does your business have enough security when it’s closed? After hours at your business, present a set of safety and security challenges. You have to successfully meet these challenges to keep your business safe. Read below to find out some of the most common concerns every business owner is worried about during closed hours.

After-hours workers at risk

Most companies have staff who sometimes need to work during the off-hours. Maybe it is the production team preparing for the holiday sale season or your accounting staff closing the books, or the management team brainstorming over some company challenge. Regardless of the reason to have after-hours workers, it is the company’s responsibility to keep them safe.

At after-hours, your employee’s way of using the site determines the best approach to security. You should also provide security patrols and helpful officers to have an eye on them. And control the access to the site to make sure the employees are safe from intruders.

Empty Buildings could become the target

When your building is empty, it could become the target of a variety of crimes. While some of these could be comparatively minor, others can cost your business a significant amount of money.

Knowing the risks your property could face is the first step toward its protection. If your business property is in a bad neighborhood, it may require a combination of security patrols, monitored cameras, and physical entry security. The security of the computer servers that contains sensitive data regarding clients should be upgraded. And a business with plenty of bare lands could add extra patrols to prevent trespassers.

Vendors may not be Diligent

Most businesses have third parties that stay on the job site at unusual times. Many businesses hire cleaning services to work when the place is free of employees. You may also have deliveries to receive in early mornings or weekends.

It is also very important to keep track of vendors who aren’t directly under your management. Because even a cleaner who forgets to lock a door could open up your building for thieves accidentally. One of the most useful and cost-effective ways to know what vendors are up to is the monitored cameras. You can provide added security by installing coded access control or live security guard patrol to check up on the site after the vendors left.

Fires and disasters could occur in off-hours

Even closed businesses aren’t immune to natural disasters. Inactive operations are also susceptible to things such as electric shorts, spontaneous combustion of chemicals, or broken water main. If these things happen after hours, the damage could be much worse than the office hours, as there will be no one to stop it promptly.

For common risks like flooding and fire, every business should make sure it has a good alarm and monitoring system in place. Cameras can be a decent alternative to having individuals on sites at all hours. And frequent patrol of trained professionals can help prevent many crises.

Steps to Become A Security Officer

securityguardapp on March 31, 2021

For any company, security officers play a significant role. A human element is required for this position, which will keep this position relevant for years to come. This makes it a safe career choice. Plus, the course to become a security offer is simple. So, anyone with an interest in this job can pursue it. If you want to have a career in security, there are a few steps you need to follow. They are given below:

1: Graduate

You will have to be at least 18 years old in order to work as a security officer in the US. And at least 21 years old if your employer will provide you with weapons. Before hiring, most employers want at least a high school diploma, and for some high-risk facilities, you may also be required to have a bachelor’s degree. As part of your application, you may also need to pass a drug test as well as a background check. So, if you want to pursue a career in security, keep your record clean.

It would be better if you get a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in criminal justice or any other related field, which may give you the knowledge of the skills the employers will want. And if you have further education, you might get an edge over other applicants. However, it is less likely that you will need that much education to get the job you are looking for. Assess your choices and see what you should do to go forward.

2: Applying

There are many careers that require extensive training before you can even start working; the same goes for security work. However, as a security officer, your training will take place mostly after your position is stable. When you meet the qualification mentioned in the previous step, you can send in applications to those companies you want to work with. Thus, will begin your journey to building a career.

3: Training

After you have joined a security company, your training will begin. And your courses will be paid for by either the facility or the company that hires you. The finest companies will train you to complete the tasks most security officers need to complete, such as basic protection skills you will require on the field, writing reports of the activities, and dealing with public relations.

Before you can begin work, you will have to go through the training required by the state where you are going to work. Most states require you to complete a number of hours in training. Some also specify the types of classes you will have to go through. And after the initial phase, some state requires annual training. However, the company you work for should help you keep track of the standards you need t meet in your zone.

4: Dedicate yourself and progress

Once security officers have the training and gain experience, they can pursue a wide variety of fields. You can find security jobs that suit you whether you are an early bird or a night owl, or an introvert or an extrovert, or whether you like to move around or stay in one place.

As you acquire experience in the field, you may get a better position in a similar field, or you can advance into a role you want even more. Often, private investigators, personal guards as well as police officers’ benefit from earlier security job experience. So, if you want to be any of these in the near future, working in the security field could be a step in that path.