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Last Updated on February 21, 2025
Security guard basic training Unit 2 Lesson (A)
Security awareness is the foundation of a security guard’s role. It’s about having the knowledge and mindset to protect both the physical and informational assets of an organization.
Essentially, it means understanding that there are individuals—whether acting accidentally or intentionally—who may steal, damage, or misuse company property.
A security guard who is fully aware of their surroundings can effectively meet the expectations of both the company and its clients.
What Does Security Awareness Involve?
Being security-aware means you must always be conscious of:
- Changing Situations: The environment can shift at any moment, so staying alert is crucial.
- Access and Exit Points: Knowing where people can enter or leave the premises.
- Hazardous Materials: Being aware of where dangerous substances are stored.
- Valuable Assets: Identifying the locations of high-value items.
- Fire Safety Systems: Familiarity with fire defense equipment and protocols.
- Emergency Plans: Understanding how to respond in emergencies.
- Blind Spots: Areas not covered by CCTV or alarm systems.
- Key Details: Remembering critical information that could impact security.
Security guards must remain vigilant at all times. The foundation of this vigilance is knowledge, and effective problem-solving relies heavily on awareness.
Good security awareness is a powerful tool in crime prevention and awareness. Part of a security guard’s role is to assess situations and determine whether they are routine or require immediate action.
Crime Prevention
Crime is an illegal act punishable by law, often involving significant harm to individuals, property, or societal harmony. While security guards are not police officers, they play a vital role in preventing and discouraging criminal activities.
They often collaborate with law enforcement to reduce the costs of crime—whether it’s loss of life, financial damage, or disruption to peace.
Within an organization, security guards act as the first line of defense. They enforce rules and regulations while maintaining a safe and peaceful environment for employees and owners.
Crime prevention and awareness are key parts of their job, and they achieve this through security awareness. Here are six ways a security guard can prevent crime:
- Being Aware: Staying alert to potential threats.
- Making Suggestions: Offering recommendations to improve security.
- Being Visible: Acting as a deterrent by maintaining a noticeable presence.
- Talking to People: Engaging with individuals to gather information or deter suspicious behavior.
- Sharing Information: Communicating relevant details with the team or authorities.
- Taking Good Notes and Reports: Documenting observations and incidents accurately.
Security Guard Observation Skills
Observation is a critical component of security awareness. It’s not just about seeing something—it’s about understanding what you’ve seen and taking appropriate action. For example, if you notice an object has changed its condition or observe unusual activity near your boundary, you must respond effectively.
Key Points About Security Guard Observation Skills:
- Observation allows you to gather useful information, interpret it, and use it as needed.
- One of the primary roles of private security is to observe and report.
- Not all observations need to be shared—only those that impact the security of clients or customers.
- Observation can be either proactive or reactive.
- Always take notes as soon as possible after observing an event.
Proactive Observation
This method involves observing your surroundings in advance to prevent incidents before they occur.
While it takes time to develop, proactive observation is highly effective in reducing loss of life and property. It’s about anticipating problems, seeking solutions, and taking preventive measures.
Reactive Observation
This type of observation is influenced by external factors. If an incident occurs suddenly, you have no choice but to react on the spot. Reactive observation means responding to something that has already happened.
How to Improve Security Guard Observation Skills
Observation is a skill that can be learned and refined over time. Here are some practical tips to enhance your observation abilities:
- Understand the Subject: Go beyond what you see—analyze the context.
- Focus on Your Surroundings: Pay attention to people, objects, animals, plants, and buildings.
- Practice Everywhere: Observe details in various settings, like your home, workplace, or public spaces.
- Limit Distractions: Improve concentration by minimizing interruptions like phones or radios.
- Memory Games: Test your memory by describing objects or photos without looking at them.
- Take Notes: Write down what you observe to reinforce your memory.
- Prioritize Key Details: Don’t try to remember everything—focus on the most important aspects.
- Ask Yourself Questions: Reflect on what you’ve observed. For example:
- What did you see? (Object name, color, size, shape)
- Where was it located? (Placement relative to other objects)
- What sounds were present?
- What sensations did you feel?
- Who was there? (People, their clothing, and their actions)
Conclusion
Security awareness is built on strong crime awareness and observation skills. A security guard must be familiar with all security-related aspects of their work site. By practicing proactive observation, you can detect potential threats before they escalate into crimes.
Crime awareness and security guard observation skills help security personnel become more effective in their roles. Remember, the key to effective security lies in staying alert, being knowledgeable, and continuously refining your observation abilities.
