Is a career in security right for you?

A career in security can be highly rewarding and if you’re someone who can think on their feet, you remain calm under pressure and love the idea of variety - with no two days ever being the same - then it could be the perfect industry for you.

Another plus of working in security is the wide range of roles that are available, meaning there are options whether you’re someone who prefers working independently or as part of a busy team, and depending on how much time you’d like to spend liaising with the general public. 

But as a mentally and physically demanding role, working in security isn’t for everyone, so it pays to do your homework. 

Here at Venture Security, we have been providing commercial and residential security services for customers across the south of England for more than 15 years now - so we know exactly what it takes to thrive in this sector. 

If you’re considering getting your SIA licence but you’re not sure if you’ll be suited to this type of work, then here’s a few pointers to help you to decide if a career in security will be right for you.

Do you have the necessary physical stamina?

You don’t have to be young to work in security, but you do have to be fit. Nearly all security roles require you to be on your feet for long periods or patrolling an area, potentially in all types of weather, so fitness and stamina is a must.

That’s as true when working at a business, event, visitor attraction or sporting venue, as it is for city centre patrols. 

Should an incident occur on your watch, you’ll also need the physical stamina to be able to deal with conflict, such as removing persons from the premises, or potentially also restraining a subject until the police arrive.

Are you prepared to travel or work unsociable hours?

For the most part, security isn’t a 9-5 job you do Monday to Friday.

Depending on your assignment, you could be expected to work nights and weekends and even away from home. While this is part of the appeal for some people, others find this aspect of a career in security more challenging.

Many positions, such as mobile patrol officer and event security officer, will require you to work unsociable hours when most people (your friends and family included) are likely to be off work having fun or at home sleeping.

Even retail and town or city centre security can involve working Saturdays and Sundays, while most event jobs will take place over the weekend, often in a location that requires you to travel. 

If you’re someone for whom evenings and weekends are precious, it’s possible that a career in security won’t be the best fit for you.

Can you keep your cool under pressure?

Another big requirement of anyone working in security is the ability to keep calm under pressure.

In security, situations can escalate quickly and when you find yourself in this position it’s vital that you can assess the situation, act fast, remain cool headed, and make quick decisions that will ensure everyone’s safety.

While many days working in security will pass without incident, the job is unpredictable by nature. You could be working as a static guard in a large office building when a fire alarm goes off and need to help people to evacuate safely, or you could stumble on an attempted break-in while doing your mobile patrols.

Situations such as these are all par for the course when you work in security, and the ability to keep calm and deal with them safely and professionally is one of the most important qualities a security officer needs to possess.

Are you prepared to get your SIA licence?

The security sector in England is highly regulated and anyone wanting to join the industry, either from the UK or abroad, will need to apply through the proper channels for an SIA licence - something you can only do once you’ve passed a recognised security training course. This is the case, even if you’ve previously held a security position in another country.

Anyone caught working without an SIA licence can be sent to prison for up to six months or fined £5000.

To get your licence, you’ll need to enrol on an approved SIA (Security Industry Authority) training course with an official provider. These courses typically take between four and six days to complete, and you’ll be required to pass an exam at the end to demonstrate your understanding.

You’ll need to be at least 18 years old to work in security and even after passing your training you’ll still need to wait for your SIA licence to be granted (usually up to one month). You can work for an SIA Approved Contractor such as Venture Security when your SIA licence application reaches ‘Checks in Progress’ on what is known as a licence dispensation notice (LDN). You’ll also need to pay a fee for your licence and pass a criminal records and ID check.

You may also be interested in:

• What physical security job is right for you?
• Moving from the armed forces to a career in security
• What makes a great security officer?

Looking to work for a security company that really values its employees? You can view our current vacancies here: https://www.venturesec.co.uk/recruitment