Security is indispensable for the peace and order of companies, organisations, small to medium enterprises and every community. If anyone can be trusted, there could be less to zero need for security services. If you’re eyeing a career in the security industry, here are some of the jobs to consider.

CCTV OPERATOR

CCTV operators are the eyes and ears of the security system. You operate sophisticated TV monitors, two-way radios, smartphones and cameras. You may be posted at airports, hotels, banks, central bank offices, transport terminals, offices, seaports and in any place where security is crucial and CCTV systems are installed.

Responsibilities:

• Constantly monitor 10 to 15 screens showing different live streams or pictures or surveillance cameras installed in different locations.
• Notify management, police and security guards of any incidents such as antisocial, suspicious objects and behaviour.
• Maintain cleanliness and order inside the CCTV room.
• Keep logs or reports of incidents.
• Provide CCTV footage evidence when requested by courts.

Qualifications/skills:

• Able to concentrate for long hours
• Computer literate
• Depending on your country, you may or may not need a special degree although some companies require a license in Public Space Surveillance authorised by a recognised agency or authority.
• Knowledge of security protocols such as discreteness, not discussing what you saw on CCTV to anyone but to an authorised person.
• Passed training on CCTV operation
• Willingness to work shifts of more than 8 hours a day (12 hours shift)

AIRPORT AND SEAPORT CUSTOMS OFFICER

Airports and seaports control the flow of goods, people and animals. Left unchecked, illegal and dangerous items can enter the country’s border. The job of a customs officer is to enforce the country’s laws on what can and can’t enter.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate and coordinate with team members.
• Enforce rules on anti-money laundering laws.
• Flag and question suspicious behaving individuals.
• Liaise with the police and other authorities.
• Monitor X-ray machines to ensure no restricted items go unchecked. Restricted items are allowed things but with certain limits (quantity) and documentation needed (licenses and paperwork).
• Monitor X-ray machines to ensure that there’s no contraband left unchecked such as illegal drugs, goods from endangered species, weapons, explosives, and pornographic materials.
• Question and refer people who have been found with illegal and restricted items.
• Screen inbound passengers and ask them to remove and place their shoes, belt and metal objects onto conveyors of X-ray machines.
• Search vehicles, luggage, and containers.
• Write incident reports.

Qualifications/skills:

• Computer literate
• Meticulous or attention to detail
• Politeness and customer-friendly demeanour

BODYGUARD

Bodyguards mostly work for security agencies or direct hire of an individual. Hollywood made movies about bodyguards such as the one portrayed by Kevin Costner who protected a music superstar (Whitney Houston). Bodyguards are like military men, they must know how to protect their client who can be a politician, businessman, high-ranking government official or any person whose life is at risk.

Responsibilities:

• Advise clients of valuable information or intelligence.
• Check points of entries.
• Deal with issues such as burglary, trespassing, and theft.
• Deny entry to unauthorized individuals.
• Direct clients to safe passageways.
• Monitor CCTV feeds.
• Protect clients from possible physical harm.

Qualifications/skills:

• Knowledge/skills in intelligence gathering and counterterrorism
• Physically fit
• Skilled in self-defense

IMMIGRATION OFFICER

As government employees, immigration officers play a central role in safeguarding the countries’ borders, airport and seaport. They work with customs officers to uphold immigration laws and mitigate security risks. Being one, you’ll work in a booth-like workplace and thousands of people.

Responsibilities:

• Ask inbound and outbound passengers about their job, length and purpose of stay, etc.
• Conduct interviews.
• Deny entry to individuals who lack proper travel documents (forged passports), or are blacklisted.
• Flag and refer inbound individuals deemed suspicious to appropriate authorities due to health risks, bad behaviours and intelligence reports.
• Mark entry and exit stamps to the passport
• Organise the removal of passengers who are not eligible for entry.
• Record personal details and take fingerprints.
• Use immigration-related software via computer to check records.
• Verify inbound and outbound passengers’ travel documents - passport and visa.

Qualifications/skills:

• Computer literacy
• Customer service (positive demeanour)
• Meticulous and attention to detail
• Use of database software

JAIL (CORRECTIONAL) OFFICER

The price of violating a law warranting incarceration is losing freedom and being confined in crowded jail facilities (in developing and some developed countries) and eventually the loss of freedom. The responsibility of keeping prisoners in jail goes to jail officers and wardens (the managers of jail facilities). This job can be tough as you will be dealing with possible riots.

Responsibilities:

• Check baggage to ensure no contraband (drugs and weapons) goes inside.
• Count inmates through manual or asking them to self-count.
• Count inmate’s issues of receipts and personal properties.
• Enforces rules on inmate conduct, hygiene, facility and visitation hours.
• Lock and guard cells.  
• Perform checks on inmates and visitors.
• Prepare reports of incidents.
• Prevent physical confrontations and riots to protect inmates and fellow jail officers.
• Provide emergency assistance such as first aid, CPR, escape and evacuation.

Qualifications/skills:

• Calm and positive demeanour
• Meticulous and attentive to details
• Physically fit
• Skilled in self-defense

SECURITY GUARD/OFFICER

The most visible and common security job, security guards are the frontline of the security team. They face many people, different personalities and various temperaments. In this job, you must be resilient since you might work for long hours/shifts standing or sitting in front desks or entrances. You must be ready for different kinds of personalities (arrogant, polite, weird) and any type of people you can think of. You could be posted at concierge, malls, supermarkets, retail stores, airport, seaport, headquarters, construction sites, offices and schools.

Responsibilities:

• Aid client motorists by directing traffic.
• Enforce rules and policies regarding safety and security.
• Operate CCTV.
• Operate defense weapons to mitigate.
• Patrol premises to make sure everyone’s safety.
• Restraining trespassers.
• Screen incoming visitors by frisking, patting or using metal detector tools to prevent entrance of dangerous items (guns, illegal drugs, weapons, knives).
• Use two-way radios or any communication devices to coordinate with other team members.
• Write reports about incidents such as thief, quarrelling and other anti-social behaviours.

Qualifications/skills:

• Computer literacy
• Emotional control
• Honesty and integrity
• Physically fit
• Surveillance

CONCIERGE RECEPTIONIST

Here you are the face of an organisation – the first person to meet visitors, applicants and employees. You’re likely to work at a hotel, office towers and bank.

Responsibilities:

• Operate intercom.
• Politely greet and ask visitors to register their names and provide their IDs or any identification documents.
• Provide reference numbers to visitors.

Qualifications/skills:

• Customer service
• English and other languages
• Security procedures
• Telephony