In today’s world, security guards and officers are burdened with more responsibilities than ever before. It’s more than just keeping an eye out for limited entry at the gate or door.
A guard or officer can now monitor CCTV, Fire, theft, sensors, dangerous chemical compounds and leaks, and heating and cooling.
Key Takeaways
- Security officers have more training and specialized skills than security guards, who primarily observe and report incidents.
- Security officers hold higher-ranking positions and may supervise security guards.
- Security guards are responsible for general security duties, while security officers may take on additional responsibilities, such as risk assessments and creating security plans.
Security Officer vs Security Guard
A security officer is a high-rank guard that assigns tasks and responsibilities to lower rank guards in a designated location. They receive high salary and require intensive training. A security guard reports to a security officer and follows orders as stated by them. The salary level is lower and only basic skills are essential for this role.
A security officer’s job is to make sure that the security guards are doing their jobs appropriately. A security officer is not required to be stationed or present at a certain location to perform security services.
They can assign responsibilities to the guards and even direct them from afar. Security officers are given extensive training to manage activities properly and safely.
Security guards have a lesser level than security officers. According to their superior’s orders and directions, a security guard must be placed and present on the specifically designated premises.
A security guard is not required to go through any rigorous or extensive training. They must, however, pass basic IQ and entry-level exams as well as learn certain fundamental abilities.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Security Officer | Security Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | Higher | Lower |
| Work | Command Security guards | Follow security officers |
| Answerable to | contracting organization | Security Officer |
| Training | Training is mandatory. | No mandatory basic skills are required. |
| Duties and responsibilities | Possesses more duties and responsibilities. | Possesses fewer duties and responsibilities. |
| Payment | Higher payment | Lower payment. |
What is Security Officer?
A security officer’s rank is significantly higher than a security guard’s. A security guard’s head, who is a security officer, is responsible and answerable to a group of security guards.
A security officer is responsible for ensuring security guards perform their duties effectively. To provide security services, a security officer does not have to be stationed or present at a certain location.
They can delegate tasks to the guards and even order them remotely.
Security officers are given extensive training to ensure that operations are handled properly and securely. The majority of security officials are ex-servicemen from the armed forces and security. The only supervisor is a security officer himself.
When the contracting organisation requests it, he must notify the difficulties. In comparison to a security guard, a security officer has additional duties and obligations.
They are paid more since they frequently relocate from one location to another.
What is Security Guard?
A security guard’s level is lower than that of a security officer. A security guard or a group of security guards work under the supervision of a security officer, to whom they are accountable and to who they report any concerns or issues.
According to their superior’s orders and directions, a security guard must be positioned and present in the specifically allocated premises. A security guard does not need to go through any rigorous or extensive training.
They must, however, pass basic questions on IQ and entry-level tests and grasp certain fundamental skills. A security guard is assigned to operate under the supervision of a security officer.
As a result, a security guard must report to his duty supervisor, a security officer, and is exclusively accountable to him. In comparison to a security officer, a security guard has fewer duties and obligations.
They are stationed at a location and are hence paid less than a security officer.
Main Differences Between Security Officers and Security Guards
- A security officer’s level is much higher than a security guard’s. Several security guards are liable and answerable to their head, which is a security officer. It is the responsibility of a security officer to check whether the security guards are working properly or not. On the other hand, the level of a security guard is placed lower than that of a security officer.
- It is not at all mandatory for a security officer to be positioned or present at a particular place to provide security services. They can divide the responsibilities among the guards and command them remotely. On the other hand, a security guard must be positioned and present in the particular assigned premises according to the instructions and commands they receive from their superior.
- Security officers go through thorough training to handle operations professionally and securely. Most of the time, the ex-servicemen from disciplined forces and security are chosen as security officers. On the other hand, a security guard doesn’t need to undergo any strict or thorough training. However, they must pass basic questions asked in IQ and entry-level exams and as well as master some basic skills.
- A security officer is the only supervisor. However, sometimes he must report the issues when asked to the contracting organization. On the other hand, the majority of the time, a security guard is put to work under a security officer. Thus, a security guard must report to his superior on duty, a security officer, who is only answerable to him.
- A security officer possesses more duties and responsibilities in comparison to a security guard. They move from one place to another and thus are paid higher as well. On the other hand, a security guard possesses fewer duties and responsibilities in comparison to a security officer. They are posted at a place and thus are paid a lesser amount than a security officer.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1462474516635884
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886109920985158
Last Updated : 24 November, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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