Types of Security Guards

Security guards come in different forms with different duties. Some have specialised training for particular needs. Knowing your options is the first step in choosing the right guard for the job.

Residential security guards

Residential guards protect homes. They are hired by a single person to defend their own residence, or work to safeguard an entire neighbourhood. Guards responsible for several homes often work in gated communities and look after both the public spaces and the private households. They are usually the first to respond if a resident has a problem, and they watch for suspicious activity in the neighbourhood.

Residential guards may patrol the area or work at a gate. Larger residential areas keep several officers on duty. They are typically unarmed, though they may be armed in some cases.

Business security guards

Business guards protect a business. The choice of guard depends on the type of business, which changes the job. Guards specialise in defending particular businesses, such as a bar or a store.

Some guards maintain warehouses. Warehouse guards are good at monitoring security concerns and controlling who enters the warehouse, where an unattended person could get injured. Corporate guards protect a company’s headquarters, which can cover a sizable region, and may also be responsible for the safety of the building’s senior executives.

Establishment guards’ work varies significantly with the type of establishment — a bar, restaurant, or toy store each needs different duties. A business may hire a security guard directly or contract a firm that employs a team of guards.

Personal security guards

A personal guard, also called a bodyguard, is typically assigned to celebrities and athletes. The job is demanding because no two days are the same: the guard must protect the client in a wide variety of circumstances.

Personal guards train heavily and sometimes work in teams. Because of the training, their cost is significantly higher than other kinds of guards.

Patrol security guards

Patrol guards move around their assigned area while on duty, unlike fixed guards. Some cover a 100-yard radius; others cover a community of 4,000 houses. The duties vary, but the responsibility is large.

Patrols follow a repeated route, so the pattern can become predictable. People can plan theft or other wrongdoing when they can predict how security will react. Patrol guards must therefore stay alert and watch for a wide range of activity.

Static security guards

A static guard stays in one spot for the shift. They are highly experienced and focused on what needs to be examined and taken care of. Stationary guards are typically placed at key locations across the premises, often where two guards can see each other from different parts of the structure.

This arrangement lets each guard keep a clear view while ensuring all locations are covered. Static guards may also be stationed in a room that controls the security cameras, where they monitor the video feeds continuously and look for anomalies.

Plainclothes security guards

There are two reasons to hire a plainclothes guard:

• When a uniformed presence would upset or frighten people. A uniformed guard can look out of place at a wedding or special event where security is still required.
• When people should not know they are being watched. Plainclothes guards protect valuables while letting people behave naturally, which is useful for high-end stores that do not want an officer in uniform to detract from the atmosphere.

Plainclothes guards make people more comfortable while still protecting possessions and other people.

Armed security guards

An armed guard carries a weapon. Depending on the circumstances, an officer may need a firearm to do the job effectively. Armed guards are highly skilled and train to carry firearms in addition to their officer training, because weapons raise the stakes to life-and-death scenarios.

Armed guards cost significantly more than unarmed ones due to the additional training. The cost is justified in regions or roles that require armed security, such as protecting high-value objects where the likelihood of theft is significant. Some companies in low-risk locations choose not to hire armed guards because they believe it adds risk.

Event security guards

Event security guards work at large events with many attendees, which require significant security. They manage crowd control, making sure people move around and stay in the right places.

Event security officers typically work for larger security companies and cover a wide range of events — sporting events, fairs, and concerts. Between events, they may take other security jobs to fill the time.

Choosing a guard

The duties of a guard protecting a school and a bar are significantly different. For help deploying the right security guards for your requirements, connect with us.