Security Officer

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £26,000

Typical Hours

37 to 48 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Security Officer

You can get into this job through:

a course run by a private training organisation

College / University

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

You can take a training course approved by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Many of these courses are run by private training companies.

You may also take a Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Providing Security Services.

When you have completed the right course for the type of security work you want to do, you can apply for a front-line SIA licence. You must have this before you can work legally in the private security industry in any job that is on the front-line.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of public safety and security
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
thinking and reasoning skills for dealing with emergencies
concentration skills to stay alert and aware of your surroundings
customer service skills for challenging people politely but firmly
excellent verbal communication skills for negotiating with people
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your duties will depend on where you work. You could:

patrol premises and secure doors, windows and other entrances
monitor CCTV cameras
respond to alarms
check staff and visitors in and out of buildings
guard cash or other valuables in a security vehicle
operate scanning equipment and devices, like at airports
search luggage
guard the boundaries of important facilities, like airports or power stations

Working Environment

You could work at a store or from a vehicle.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could become a supervisor, then senior or chief security officer.

With further qualifications like a Level 3 Security first line manager, you could go into security management or training. You could set up your own security company.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence for agency and contractor jobs

Career tips

Experience of working in the police or armed forces could help you get into this job.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in security from Skills for Security.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks
be over 18 years of age

An employer will carry out checks on your personal and work history up to 10 years. You need to let them know about any criminal convictions before you apply for a security licence.