What is a Typical Security Career Track?


A security career track has a fairly logical progression, from working as a guard to assuming a higher degree of responsibility to working in a supervisory or management capacity. There are many different jobs within this path. However, each one may be a better fit for certain personalities and certain types of training.

But, one thing is for sure. These jobs will continue to be an important part of the economy for years to come.

Unarmed Guard

The typical starting position in the security field is as an unarmed guard. Most guards work at shopping malls, warehouses, or apartment complexes. They observe the premises and report suspicious activity. To be an unarmed guard most individuals only need a high school education. However, an increasing number of guards are seeking out criminal justice degrees in order to secure higher pay.

Armed Guarding

From the starting position, guards tend to take a number of steps forward. The most typical step forward is to an armed guarding position. These jobs are significantly more dangerous than a typical security job guard. Armed guards often work for banks or armored truck companies. Other individuals tend to specialize in security fields, such as security systems or in loss prevention for retail stores. All of these jobs pay more and thus tend to require at least an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.

Security Management Positions

Another step along the path is transferring into a criminal justice field like police work or working in a correctional facility. Depending upon the salary and position of the security officer in question, this can be either a lateral move or a further step along the career path. These fields increasingly require higher education. Additionally, they do create a sort of secondary security field into which properly trained individuals can transfer. One important thing to note is that security management positions almost always require a college degree in criminal justice along with the requisite years of experience.

Supervision in a Security Career Track

The terminal point of the security profession is usually supervision. While many individuals do work as highly-paid guards for most of their lives, the end goal is usually in a management capacity. Whether it is running one’s own security company, advising a corporation, or simply organizing the work responsibility of guards, these careers tend to be significantly higher paying while requiring far less physical effort. Supervisory work tends to be available in the security field for those with at least five years of experience, but the leading roles may take decades of hard work to acquire.

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