Skip to content
ESCO occupation

security guard

Back to ESCO occupations

Security guards observe, detect irregularities and protect people, buildings and assets. They maintain security at all times by patrolling designated property areas, controlling access at entrances, watching alarm and video recording systems, asking suspicious individuals for identification and reporting infractions and law breaching activities.

5414.1 ISCO 5414 ESCO source
Competences
51
Groups
4
Essential
20
Optional
31

Competences and skills

51 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 1 competence

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

1 competence
security threats

Types of cyber or physical security threats to public and private security such as unauthorised entry, aggressive behaviour, molestation, robbery, theft, hacking, malware, phishing, identity theft, assault, kidnapping, murder and public demonstration.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 19 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
check tickets at venue entry

Ensure that all guests have valid tickets for the specific venue or show and report on irregularities.

ESCO source
ensure public safety and security

Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.

ESCO source
execute inspection walkway

Carry out a route in order to verify if all the doors and windows are closed.

ESCO source
maintain facility security systems

Ensure that proper and functional security systems are in place, including alarm systems, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exits.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

15 competences
check official documents

Check an individuals' official documentation, such as driver's licenses and identification, to ensure compliance with legal regulations, and to identify and assess individuals.

ESCO source
comply with the principles of self-defence

Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations where attackers are using deadly force themselves.

ESCO source
deal with aggressive behaviour

Respond promptly to adverse behaviour in a professional manner by taking appropriate and legal action to prevent further aggressiveness, such as verbal warning, lawful removal from the premises or apprehension of the person involved. Report details of adverse behaviour in line with the organisation’s procedures.

ESCO source
detain offenders

Keep back offenders and trespassers in a certain area.

ESCO source
ensure law application

Ensure the laws are followed, and where they are broken, that the correct measures are taken to ensure compliance to the law and law enforcement.

ESCO source
identify security threats

Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.

ESCO source
identify terrorism threats

Identify the possibility of terrorism activities posing threats and danger in a specific area by monitoring activities of potentially dangerous groups of people, assessing risks in different areas, and gathering intelligence.

ESCO source
liaise with security authorities

Respond quickly to security incidents and violations by calling the police and keep in touch with other relevant parties involved in the potential prosecution of the offender.

ESCO source
monitor surveillance equipment

Monitor the operation of equipment used in surveillance and gathering of intelligence to ensure it functions properly and to gather the surveillance information detected by it.

ESCO source
patrol areas

Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicating with emergency response organisations.

ESCO source
perform body searches

Examine visitors by performing a body search, in order to detect weapons or illegal substances.

ESCO source
perform security checks

Monitor and check individuals' bags or personal items in order to make sure the individuals present no threats and that their behaviour is legally compliant.

ESCO source
practice vigilance

Practice vigilance during patrol or other surveillance activities in order to ensure safety and security, to look out for suspicious behaviour or other alarming changes in patterns or activities, and to respond quickly to these changes.

ESCO source
restrain individuals

Restrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual is unable to proceed in this negative behaviour and to protect others.

ESCO source
stay alert

Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events. Concentrate and do not get distracted performing a task over a long period of time.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 11 competences

Occupation specific

1 competence
alarm systems

Security systems in buildings and on properties automatically alarming security companies or producing acoustic or audio-visual signals when break-in, theft or damage of property is detected.

digital
ESCO source

Sector-specific

4 competences
explosives

Behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.

ESCO source
legal requirements related to ammunition

Legal regulations and requirements in the field of selling, buying, handling and storing ammunition.

ESCO source
security in commercial buildings

Security procedures, characteristics, tasks and risks in commercial areas and institutions such as banks, malls, tourist spots, hotels and restaurants.

ESCO source
security in industrial buildings

Security procedures, characteristics, tasks and risks encountered in industrial areas such as factories, ports, warehouses and mines.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

6 competences
check methods

Procedures used for investigative purposes such as surveillance by physical and electronic means, interrogations of witnesses, collection of objects and data for assessment and analysis and physical and electronic research for collecting data.

ESCO source
criminal law

The legal rules, constitutions and regulations applicable for the punishment of offenders.

ESCO source
fire safety regulations

The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.

ESCO source
illegal substances

The forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them.

ESCO source
legal use-of-force

The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects.

ESCO source
surveillance methods

Surveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 20 competences

Occupation specific

4 competences
carry out security activities with a dog

Using specially trained dogs to search specific areas or surveil properties in order to detect threats or individuals.

ESCO source
ensure security on ships

Conduct security taking into account the specific security and safety measures on passenger and commercial ships.

ESCO source
exercise security in hospitals

Security activities in a hospital environment executing the hospitals structured security program, usually positioned at admission or the entrance of the hospital, patrolling the premises, helping nurses and doctors on demand.

ESCO source
provide security in detention centres

Ensuring security and to some extent intercultural communication in detention centres holding individuals for crimes, illegal immigration or refugees.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

6 competences
conduct airport security screening

Monitor passenger flow through the screening checkpoint and facilitate the orderly and efficient processing of passengers; inspect luggage and cargo following screening procedures.

ESCO source
document security incidents in the store

Prepare documentation and specific reports of the security threats, observations and incidents, such as shoplifting, that occur in the store, to be used as evidence against the offender, if required.

ESCO source
ensure hotel security

Guarantee the security of guests and the premises by monitoring the different hotel zones.

ESCO source
ensure store security

Implement and monitor security measures within the store; be vigilant about shoplifters and fraudulent use of credit cards.

ESCO source
manage lost and found articles

Make sure that all articles or objects lost are identified and that the owners gets them back in their possession.

ESCO source
monitor parking areas to maintain security

Monitor the entry and exit routes within the parking areas and report on any hazards, accidents or violations.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

10 competences
control crowd

Control a crowd or riot, ensuring people do not cross to areas they are not allowed to access, monitoring the crowd's behaviour and responding to suspicious and violent behaviour.

ESCO source
ensure compliance with types of weapons

Comply with legal requirements when using different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition.

ESCO source
handle surveillance equipment

Monitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.

ESCO source
inspect cargo

Conduct quality checks on cargo before loading and after unloading commences. Ensure total on-board cargo load is secure.

Scope note
This includes truck loadings, ship containers and other cargo.
ESCO source
interrogate individuals

Interview individuals in such a manner that they give information that could be of use in an investigation and that they possibly tried to conceal.

ESCO source
manage major incidents

Take immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents.

ESCO source
operate radio equipment

Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio equipment correctly.

digital
ESCO source
provide door security

Spot and monitor individuals or groups of people at the door who intend to enter the premises unlawfully or have potential for causing threats.

ESCO source
provide first aid

Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.

ESCO source
regulate traffic

Regulate the flow of traffic by using assigned hand signals, assisting travellers on the road, and aiding people to cross the street.

ESCO source