Difference Between Security Officer and Security Guard

Table of Contents

In today’s world, security guards and officers are burdened with more responsibilities than ever before. It’s more than just keeping an eye out for limited entry at the gate or door. CCTV, Fire, theft, sensors, dangerous chemical compounds and leaks, heating and cooling, can now be monitored by a guard or officer.

Security Officer vs Security Guard

The main difference between a security officer and a Security guard is that a security officer’s rank is significantly greater than that of a security guard. Several security guards report to their supervisor, who is usually a security officer. However, on the contrary, A security guard or a group of security guards report to and are answered to by a security officer.

A security officer’s job is to make sure that the security guards are doing their jobs appropriately. It is not required that a security officer be stationed or present at a certain location to perform security services. They can assign responsibilities to the guards and even direct them from afar. Security officers are usually given extensive training to manage activities properly and safely.

Security guards have a lesser level than security officers. According to their superior’s orders and directions, a security guard must be placed and present in the specifically designated premises. A security guard is not required to go through any rigorous or extensive training. They must, however, pass basic IQ and entry-level exams as well as learn certain fundamental abilities.

Comparison Table Between Security Officer and Security Guard

Parameters of ComparisonSecurity OfficerSecurity Guard
DesignationHigherLower
WorkCommand Security guardsFollow security officers
Answerable tocontracting organizationSecurity officer
TrainingTraining is mandatory.Not mandatory, basic skills required.
Duties and responsibilitiesPossesses more duties and responsibilities.Possesses fewer duties and responsibilities.
PaymentHigher paymentLower payment.

What is Security Officer?

A security officer‘s rank is significantly higher than that of a security guard. A security guard’s head, who is usually a security officer, is responsible and answerable to a group of security guards.

A security officer is responsible for ensuring that security guards are performing their duties effectively. To provide security services, a security officer does not have to be stationed or present at a certain location. They can delegate tasks to the guards and even order them remotely.

Security officers are typically given extensive training to ensure that operations are handled properly and securely. The majority of security officials are ex-servicemen from the armed forces and security. The only supervisor is a security officer himself.

When the contracting organisation requests it, he must, nevertheless, notify the difficulties. In comparison to a security guard, a security officer has additional duties and obligations. They are paid more since they frequently relocate from one location to another.

What is Security Guard?

A security guard’s level is lower than that of a security officer’s. A security guard or a group of security guards work under the supervision of a security officer, to whom they are accountable and who they report any concerns or issues.

According to their superior’s orders and directions, a security guard must be positioned and present in the specifically allocated premises. A security guard does not need to go through any rigorous or extensive training.

They must, however, pass basic questions on IQ and entry-level tests, as well as grasp certain fundamental skills. A security guard is usually assigned to operate under the supervision of a security officer.

As a result, a security guard must report to his duty supervisor, usually a security officer, and is exclusively accountable to him. In comparison to a security officer, a security guard has fewer duties and obligations. They are usually stationed at a location and are hence paid less than a security officer.

Main Differences Between Security Officer and Security Guard

  • The level of a security officer is placed much higher than that of a security guard. Several security guards are liable and answerable to their head, which is usually a security officer. It is the responsibility of a security officer to check whether the security guards are working properly or not. On the other hand, the level of a security guard is placed lower than that of a security officer. A security guard or a group of security guards work under a person, generally called a security officer, they are answered to him and report him in case of any problems or issues.
  • It is not at all mandatory for a security officer to be positioned or present at a particular place to provide security services. They can divide the responsibilities among the guards and can command them remotely as well. On the other hand, a security guard must be positioned and present in the particular assigned premises according to the instructions and commands they receive from their superior.
  • Security officers generally go through thorough training to handle operations professionally and securely. Most of the time, the ex-servicemen from disciplined forces and security are chosen as security officers. On the other hand, a security guard doesn’t need to undergo any type of strict or thorough training. However, they must pass basic questions asked in IQ and entry-level exams and as well as master some basic skills.
  • A security officer is himself the only supervisor. However, sometimes he must report the issues when asked to the contracting organization. On the other hand, the majority of the time, a security guard is put to work under a security officer. Thus, a security guard has to report to his superior on duty, generally a security officer and is only answerable to him.
  • A security officer possesses more duties and responsibilities in comparison to a security guard. They usually move from one place to another and thus are paid higher as well. On the other hand, a security guard possesses fewer duties and responsibilities in comparison to a security officer. They are generally posted at a place and thus are paid a lesser amount than a security officer.
  • Conclusion

    A security guard is most often assigned to operate under the supervision of a security officer. As a result, a security guard is only accountable to his on-duty superior, usually a security officer. In opposed to a security officer, a security guard has fewer tasks and responsibilities.

    They are usually assigned to a specific location and, as a result, are paid less than security officers. Ex-servicemen from the armed services and security are frequently chosen as security personnel. A security officer is the sole one in charge.

    However, he is required to disclose difficulties to the contracting company when requested. In comparison to a security guard, a security officer has greater duties and obligations. They frequently relocate from one location to another and, as a result, are paid more.

    References

  • https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1462474516635884
  • https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886109920985158
  • ncG1vNJzZmiZo6Cur8XDop2fnaKau6SxjZympmeUnrOnsdGepZydXZeytcPEnqVmq5WYwrO107JkqJ6WnrCmvoyapZ1lo5qwtr7IrbBmn6WWv6V7