Public events attract all kinds of people, the good, the bad and the ugly. To prevent unforeseen threats or dangers from unknown guests at the event, the security guards on duty should screen every guest. Make sure all guests are properly screened and checked in with proper credentials as well as other personnel.
The general rule of thumb is to have one security guard for every 100 guests, though a security company can advise you on your specific event and venue.
However, having one guard per 100 people is a good rule of thumb. In all cases the purpose of these guards is to provide protection and aid for attendees, patrolling the venue and maintaining order throughout the entirety of the event.
Becoming a licensed security guard within the state of California is possible if you undergo 40 total hours of training. You must begin with an initial eight hour training course.
Most states look for previous felony convictions, not misdemeanors or petty crimes. A criminal record may keep you from getting your guard card, although some states allow for extenuating circumstances. You should check with your particular state's security guard licensing agency for more details.
It is possible to get a security officer job with no experience. Some employers do not require prior work experience, though many prefer it. Employers will provide job training for new hires, whether or not the candidate has experience.
An early career Security Guard with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₦360,000 based on 14 salaries. A mid-career Security Guard with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of ₦960,000 based on 6 salaries.
Hourly Wage for Security Guard - Unarmed Salary
| Percentile | Hourly Pay Rate | Location |
|---|
| 25th Percentile Security Guard - Unarmed Salary | $14 | US |
| 50th Percentile Security Guard - Unarmed Salary | $16 | US |
| 75th Percentile Security Guard - Unarmed Salary | $18 | US |
| 90th Percentile Security Guard - Unarmed Salary | $19 | US |
Security jobs are boringThis is not at all the case. Security guards who see their jobs as mundane, become easy targets for criminals and troublemakers. The trick to being a good security guard is understanding the importance of the job and doing it well every second of every day.
These are the top 5 reasons why people choose security work:Works well with second job (Did someone say side hustle?) Ties in with military or law enforcement goals well. Good career path for those without higher education. Humanitarian Goals (Helping Your Community)
Celebrity Bodyguards always have some form of special military or police training. Top security firms exclusively hire elite U.S. veterans and law enforcement officials, including Navy Seals, U.S. Army Delta Force, and other special ops vets. College is not essential, although some training programs do exist.
All company employees must be licensed and carry their licenses with them at all times.
- Develop a Business Plan.
- Hire a Qualified Manager.
- Application for License.
- Personal ID Form.
- Include Passport Photos.
- Take the Form to a Live Scan Site.
- Business Name Form.
- Make Copies for Your Records.
9 Event Security Tips to Keep Your Guests Safe
- Assess Your Security Risks. In terms of security, different events don't have different needs.
- Keep Your Security Measures Visible.
- Create Security Checkpoints.
- Match IDs to Registration Information.
- Keep Private Events Private.
- Consider Cyber Threats as Well.
- Develop an Emergency Plan.
- Screen Your Staff.
Here are four ways in which you can ensure the security of your guests while enhancing their stay experience.
- Invest in Information Security.
- Install Intelligent Access Control Systems.
- Protect Customer Data.
- Employ Technology to Improve Surveillance.
Event security entails far more than just dotting the venue with security personnel. The process is quite complex and requires extensive coordination and communication. With the right security practices, you'll ensure the safety of your guests and staff — plus you'll prevent damage to the venue and related property.
Recent criminal attacks have shown the importance of proper event safety and security planning, and the value of effective emergency response. Poor event planning, management, crowd control, security, and ineffective emergency response, increase the likelihood of injuries, property damage and even catastrophic attacks.
The consequences of poor health and safety procedures can be devastating to you as an event organiser. By conducting a risk assessment and creating an event safety plan, you'll ensure the safety of your staff and guests. Plus you'll be prepared should anything bad happen during your event.
Here are 5 ways you can reduce the risk at your next event.
- Start with a Risk Assessment. Every event is going to have different risks that come along with it and because of that, risk assessment is not one size fits all.
- Assess Venue Suitability.
- Prioritize Health & Safety.
- Be Insured.
- Develop an Emergency Plan.
8 Top-Paying Cybersecurity Jobs
- Bug Bounty Specialist.
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Lead Software Security Engineer.
- Cybersecurity Sales Engineer.
- Cybersecurity Architect.
- Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator.
- Penetration Tester.
- Information Security Analyst.
Six Skills All Security Guards Should Have
- Alertness. A great security officer is always alert and focused on their surroundings.
- Honesty.
- Physical Fitness.
- Good Communication Skills.
- Ability to Serve Client's Needs.
- Leader and Team Player.
There is no formal requirement to be physically big to become a security guard. However, being big can help a security guard perform security duties more effectively. Being big is not required to become a security guard, but bigger security guards will have more work opportunities made available to them.
As with most jobs, having more job experience in security will likely mean your wages will be on the higher end. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (updated in May 2019), the hourly wage for security guards ranges from $10.17 to $24.19. The median annual wage in the United States is $29,680.
Top 10 Security Careers
- Information Security Analysts.
- Network Security Administrator.
- Cyber Crime Investigator.
- Network Security Engineers.
- System, Network, and/or Web Penetration Tester.
- Chief Information Security Officer.
- Security Architect.
- Security Manager.
15 top security guard companies in the United States.
- Epic Security Systems.
- Fast Guard Security Services.
- G4S.
- GuardWorld Security.
- National Security and Protective Services, Inc.
- Securitas.
- SOS Security.
- Titan Security Group.
It pays low, because working as an entry level security gaurd is menial labor that nearly anyone can do. Because they require little training, education or skill.
Three Easy Ways to EARN MORE as a Security Officer
- Training. The quickest & easiest way to earn more as a security officer is to get more training.
- Transportation & Availability. These work hand-in-hand because your availability and having reliable transportation has a huge impact on your schedule.
- The Right Team. Working for the right company is essential.
