What does a security officer do?
Security officers keep sites, people and property safe. You'll usually work as part of a team, carrying out patrols, controlling who enters the site, checking that doors, windows, gates and fences are secure, and monitoring equipment such as alarms and CCTV.
You're often the first person to respond to an incident, whether it's an alarm, a trespasser, an accident or a fire, so you need to stay calm and act correctly. You're also one of the public faces of the organisation you protect, so greeting staff and visitors politely and with authority is part of the job.
Entry requirements
- Aged 18 or over, with the right to work in the UK
- Good enough English to write reports and communicate clearly. We'll check this before the course.
- No formal qualifications needed. To work legally, you'll need an SIA licence, and this course is the first step.
Course structure
Day 1: Emergency First Aid at Work. Days 2–5: training with an experienced trainer, including the exams. You'll cover:
- Principles of working in the private security industry
- Principles of working as a security officer, including patrolling, access control, searching and report writing
- Application of conflict management
After the course
Once you've passed, you can apply for your SIA licence. We'll help you complete the application correctly. If you'd also like to work in pubs, clubs or at events, consider the Door Supervisor course, as the Door Supervisor licence covers security guarding too.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Security Officer course?
5 days: 1 day of Emergency First Aid at Work and 4 days of security officer training, including the exams.
Should I do Security Officer or Door Supervisor?
If you only want to guard sites such as offices, shops or construction sites, the Security Officer course is enough. The Door Supervisor licence covers security guarding too, as well as pubs, clubs and events, so it gives you more job options.
Do I need qualifications to become a security officer?
No formal qualifications are needed, but you must be able to communicate in English and you need an SIA licence to work legally.
