Being a security guard is not an easy task primarily because one of the security guards’ main objectives is to protect properties, assets, and even people. Often times, security guards are uniformed and are assigned to act and protect properties by maintaining high visibility presence so as to deter inappropriate and illegal actions and by taking action and reporting any incidents and emergency services to their employer. Furthermore, the responsibilities of security guards vary with the type, size and location of the employer.

In department stores, security guards are assigned to protect people, merchandise, money, records and equipments. More often, they work with undercover store detectives to prevent theft and help apprehend shoplifter suspects.Other shopping centers and theaters have security officers who patrol their parking lots to prevent car thefts and robberies. Security guards from office buildings, hospitals and banks maintain order and protect the institutions’ staff, property and customers. On the other hand, security guards at air, sea, rail terminals and other transportation facilities are assigned to protect people, property, freight and equipment. By using metal detectors and high tech gadgets and equipment, security guards are able to screen passengers and visitors who have weapons and explosives. This is to ensure that everything is safe and that nothing is stolen while the vehicle is being loaded and unloaded with passengers. This is also to watch for fires and criminals.

Meanwhile, security guards who work in public buildings like art galleries and museums are tasked to protect exhibits and paintings by inspecting people and packages that enter and leave the vicinity of the building. Security guards in factories, government buildings, laboratories, data processing centers and military bases are assigned to protect information, computer codes, and products. They are also assigned to defend secrets and check the credentials of people and vehicles that enter and leave the premises. Guards who are assigned to work at parks, sport stadiums, and universities help in performing crowd control, in supervising parking and seating and in directing traffic.

Security guard stationed at the entrance of bars and night clubs are asked to keep the place safe by preventing access of minors, collecting cover charges at the door, maintaining order among customers and protecting patrons properly. Armored car security guards on the other hand are tasked to protect valuables and money during transit. In addition to this, it is part of their task to protect individuals responsible for making commercial bank deposits from injury and theft.