Security Guard / Security Officer. Whats the difference?

You may not know that while the terms “security guard” and “security officer” may sometimes be used interchangeably, there is a distinction between them.

In this post, we will explore this difference, the definitions of security officers and security guards, the responsibilities of each role.

What is the difference between security guards and security officers?

Security guards and officers have similar responsibilities to protect people and property from harm and loss. However, a security guard ranks below a security officer, so the rank translates into a limited scope of responsibility. For example, a security guard will often be assigned to a single facility and perform limited security functions, such as monitoring access to a facility or patrolling a specified area.

On the other hand, a security officer has increased responsibilities, such as managing other security personnel, acting as an escalation point for significant security issues, and supervising the completion of security activities at one or many facilities. As a result of this increased responsibility, security officers are generally more highly trained than security guards.

What is a security guard?
Generally speaking, a security guard is responsible for providing security for people and property. Security guards do this in many ways, including:

1. Patrolling facilities and properties and functioning as a presence to deter criminal activity.
   
2. Controlling access to facilities (e.g., badge access, visitor passes, etc.) and assisting people, such as employees or visitors.
3. Monitoring security systems and cameras and responding quickly to any alarms.

What is a security officer?

A security officer is a more leadership-focused role that may span multiple teams and facilities, depending on the context. A security officer may also be more likely to be in an armed security role with more specialized training and certifications. Security officers also generally perform a much more comprehensive range of security functions, such as:

1. Supervising all security operations at one or more facilities
   
2. Managing and assigning other security guards to specific duties
    Functioning as an escalation contact for the security team
   
3. Functioning as a liaison with local law enforcement for major security events
    And much more.
4. Multiple site patrols and guard and job site inspections.
5. Serve as a field training officer for new security members.
6. Executive Protection.
7. High-value asset protection and transport.
8. Crisis Intervention.
9. SRT "Special Response Team" member 
10. Workplace violence prevention and training.

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