What does Security Do? The Truth Behind the Suits
You see them almost every where sometimes it seems.
While at the same time, I’m sure there are times you don’t even notice that they’re there – but they are.
They’re watching you. Watching those around you. Watching the building. Watching the things in the building. Watching everything around the building.
Watching. Always watching.
Sometimes its obvious what their task or role is. You’re at an exhibit. Some place with valuables. A place in a less then desirable location.
Someone is there, in plain sight, and is making their presence known so that you know that you’re safe. Or you’re being watched. They’re there.
While this may sound off putting – they are there for a purpose.
Obviously they are there to watch. But they are there to prevent.
In the event something happens, they are there to step in. This doesn’t always mean that something hugely traumatic could happen, but if so – they are there. But security is there to prevent. They’re watching for any incidents and even accidents to occur.
While accident may immediately sound like a dangerous implication, this can even include small details. Trip hazards, slips, spills, anything that could be even remotely embarrassing or incidental, they’re watching to prevent.
In some cases this means arriving prior to the official start of their shift. Doing a walk through and getting a good feel for the lay out in the event they haven’t been there before. They’re noticing big things like emergency exits and floor plans, and small things like anything that could be a trip hazard or cause incidental or accidental embarrassment. They’re taking in the big picture.
They’re there to protect. To step in and hopefully catch you if you fall, or at least make sure you are ok. If something bad happens, they put themselves between you and the danger. Sometimes risking it all for someone or something they know little or nothing about.
They have training that kicks into action when things happen. Security skills, first aid skills, and in some cases physical combat skills. And thats just a start.
And while you think their day ends at the close of the event, venue, or store hours – they’re still going. First off – there is often an administrative side to this role that most know little to nothing about. As important as it is to go over details prior to a shift or a detail, its equally important to go over details after.
A debrief is a way to go over anything that happened during the course of the event or detail. Its a way to point out where things potentially didn’t go as planned, or anything that happened. Its an opportunity to acknowledge what went wrong and how things could be made better or done differently. A chance to leave notes for the next security that steps in to prepare them for what lays ahead, and point out any incidents that happened.
Its almost like going over the instructions that were laid out for you to build something, but taking a look at them after you’ve completed the project and making them better. Making them easier and more efficient. Helping your future self and others by laying a better path and building a better guidebook.
While security is there to prevent and protect – they’re there to be mindful of making systems efficient. Making an already tough job, just a little easier.
Security can be boring. It can be mundane. It can be glamourous. It can be exciting. It can be dangerous and risky. It can almost be whatever you’d like it to be given the various opportunities and various needs for security.
Where there is risk, there is reward. Whether that reward is psychological or monetary can definitely vary – but as long as you seek a reward of some nature, you can potentially find it.
Being part of a security team is adopting a family you never knew you had or needed. You become part of a team that spends their time looking out for others and each other. Having a hand in helping humankind on any level is something that is truly rewarding.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and 
experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent.
