What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Corporate Security Guard?

How Do Corporate Security Guards Manage Daily Responsibilities in Head Offices and Multi-Tenanted Office Blocks?

In an office environment corporate security guards perform a number of duties to protect the fabric of the building, its assets and the people inside. Below we have listed their main duties we expect security to manage in an office environment.

1. Building Management Duties
In a multi tenanted office environment the building management company’s property manager normally looks after a portfolio of properties. As such the security officer becomes the eyes and ears of the property manager, overseeing employee and visitor safety, building maintenance, repair and upgrades, and complying with environmental checks and building safety and health procedures relating to facility operations.

2. Access Control and Visitor Management
As part of overseeing site safety officers managing access to the building as part of their office security guard duties. Building with only one officer on duty nearly always have them stationed at the entrance where they can handle visitor log management by verifying their ID, briefing them on any site health and safety and issue temporary passes as part of corporate security policy enforcement. By preventing any unauthorised entry they uphold a secure workplace.

3. Building Patrols
Patrols are normally staggered throughout the officers shift. Corporate building patrols are essential for identifying security threats, addressing maintenance and environmental concerns and the patrols are also used to save money on energy by ensuring appliances and lights are switched off out of hours or when not in use. During a security patrol the officer should take the stairwells as to avoid getting stuck in a lift. A security patrol will involve checking sensitive areas, communal spaces and the immediate perimeter of the property.

3. Monitoring Corporate Surveillance Systems
Nearly all office buildings now have corporate surveillance systems that must be monitored by building security guards to detect unusual activities and enhance overall security. Guards with a door supervision licence or security guard licence are covered to use CCTV equipment to identify a trespasser or protect property. If pan tilt zoom cameras are in operation and public space monitoring and playback or downloading of data is required then the guard must have a CCTV licence. By leveraging security guard technology tools ensures seamless surveillance and swift action when needed.

4. Emergency Preparedness and Response
Emergency preparedness and the right response is paramount in the instance of a fire alarm activation or medical incident as someone’s life could be at risk if the wrong decisions are made and acted upon. For a given emergency, security guards are expected to carry out the security guard emergency response protocols to minimise risks and positively impact outcomes.

5. Customer Service in Reception Security Roles
An officer working in a corporate environment is normally always undertaking a front facing reception security role, assisting visitors, answering inquiries and fostering a welcoming environment. A tenant-focused security approach strengthens relationships and adds value to the services they deliver.

6. Incident Reporting by Security Guards
As part of their corporate security job duties, guards are to document incidents and daily activities in the daily occurrence log book. It is often done electronically these days but some security companies still use duplicate paper DOB’s. These records are used for audits, investigations, and refining security protocols periodically.

How SIA Standards Influence Security Roles Across Corporate Environments

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has established standards that govern the training, conduct and professionalism of security officers. Here’s how these standards shape their roles:

1. Professional Training and Licensing
The SIA mandates the security guard training programmes, that includes conflict resolution, customer service and emergency management as a base. The basic security training ensures that people working in security are well prepared for  corporate security officer roles. 

2. Compliance Monitoring by Guards
To reduce the risks to building and tenants the SIA standards place importance on compliance monitoring by guards by requiring them to uphold adherence to health and safety legislation and building specific policies.

3. Ethical Conduct in Corporate Settings
SIA trained guards have committed to demonstrating professional traits of a security officer, such as impartiality, discretion, and respect for privacy. These qualities enhance tenant trust and the effectiveness of the security provision.

4. Technology Proficiency
Guards are to be site trained in using the security guard technology tools the company and client have to make sure it is can be used effectively for incident management and proper surveillance. In modern properties such as data centres, this could include operating corporate security AI tools to detect and deter threats.

The Role of Corporate Security in Specific Industries

Corporate security guards are employed across nearly every industry ensuring the protection of assets, personnel and information. Their roles and responsibilities in each sector are tailored to meet the unique security challenges of the business here is an overview or their general responsibilities broken down per sector:

• Healthcare: In a hospital setting security guards are their for the safety of patients, staff and visitors. In accident and emergency or mental health wards they are often assisting in managing aggressive or distressed individuals. Specialised healthcare security officer training is given to guards to help them anticipate and undertake the extra pressures and responsibilities of the role.

• Retail: Security personnel in retail settings focus on loss prevention, monitoring for shoplifting, and ensuring the safety of customers and staff. There is no formal additional training for retail security, however retail centric companies will have their own in-house retail training designed specifically for retail loss prevention which will touch upon legalities and A.S.C.O.N.E procedures.

• Corporate Offices: Security guards in corporate environments manage access control, protect sensitive information and ensure a safe working environment for employees. Management led site inductions cover the basis of the training for a corporate location.

• Construction Sites: They protect valuable equipment and materials from theft or vandalism and ensure that only authorised personnel access the site. All security guards working in the construction industry must hold a valid CSCS card.

One things all these industries have in common is the need for physical security, asset protection, emergency response, active surveillance and customer service. 

• Physical Security: Security guards provide real time monitoring of access points and conduct regular and patrols at different intervals. They are tasked with spotting and responding promptly to suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and company policies. They collaborate with facilities or property managers as well as the emergency services when required to coordinate emergency response plans.

• Asset Protection: Security guards protect corporate assets including but not limited to company equipment, stock and inventory, unreleased merchandise and intellectual property from theft, vandalism or damage. 

• Emergency Response: Security are trained in crisis management which covers first aid, fire and counter terrorism measures which places them as the first responder to events as they happen in order to mitigate them until the emergency services arrive and take over.

• Surveillance and Monitoring:  Security guards monitor premises around the clock using CCTV to identify potential security threats and suspicious activities, enabling timely intervention.

• Customer Service: Serving as the first point of contact for visitors, employees, and vendors, security guards provide courteous assistance, contributing to a positive customer experience while reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety.