Security Officer Network

The Security Officer Network provides future security officers with a complementary PDF. It features many of the questions and answers that you will find on most states' unarmed security exams. It has been used by hundreds of readers as they prepare for the unarmed security test that is required by many states prior to licensure as a security guard. You can download the PDF, known as the Unarmed Security Prep Guide, from this page. Once you have examined your PDF, you may take The Security Officer Network's unarmed practice test. Those who score a 75% or higher will receive a certificate of passage. --> Read More

A concise set of must-read tips. These tips prepare the applicant for his security job interview.

As you leave the interview, thank the manager for his consideration. Also, politely acknowledge and thank the front-desk person before exiting the office. This demonstrates true professionalism and could easily score you an extra point or two. Never underestimate the role of the front-desk person in swaying a close decision. Now, having left the office, you won't be able to see what happens next. But, let's take a guess: the hiring manager turns to his computer and pulls up a spreadsheet entitled, "Hiring Scorecard." With the interview still fresh in his memory, and his immediate gut instinct guiding his thought process, he wants to immediately score the interview. --> Read More

As the author of How to Start a Security Guard Company and as the administrator for The Security Officer Network, I monitor the private security space for the latest opportunities and to track the information needed for the next edition of the book. What follows are a few of the data points that I believe make a convincing case that 2023 is the best time—possibly ever—for starting a private security agency. If you've yet to take the leap to starting your own agency then proceed at your own risk; it might change your life. In the past one of these videos actually inspired a security entrepreneur to restart his private security patrol service.

At first glance, the security professional could easily become overwhelmed by the massive array of policy, local ordinances and state statutes. While a basic understanding of the law will certainly serve the officer well, he doesn't need a law degree to accomplish his day-to-day duties. He should however obtain a good understanding of three important sections of state law prior to starting work.

So, you have decided to go for your security guard license? Congratulations, it’s a good choice. What follows is a breakdown of major test categories; and, sample questions with answers. You should plan for as you take your security guard licensing test in 2022.

So, just how safe is it to go to working in the private security industry? Is it more dangerous than other jobs, or police work? While there are many of these easy, very safe assignments, a smaller number of posts sport a significantly increased risk profile. Examples include many of the armed sites and patrol routes where the officer frequently interacts with the public in sketchy environments; bar assignments; and restaurants and convenience stores in the high-crime neighborhoods many of which become especially dangerous in the mid-to-late overnight hours.

Every officer should approach security from the perspective of the security consultant. The science of consulting is at its core the science of thoughtful observation. And, even though the course taker may never become a security consultant, he will forever benefit from seeing the world through the eyes of a consultant. From personal protection officer, to armored car driver, to security manager, true success in this industry depends on the officer's ability to observe. Observation is a mindset and this course teaches the science of observation.

Back in the day—when I owned my own security agency—I never had a problem with my security officers using my agency as a launching point to become police officers. Now, however, my point of view on this matter is changing. In this just-released YouTube video, I explain why you, as a security officer might should avoid going into law enforcement.

There isn't much incentive to make a career working within one of the big security agencies. Even when an officer works his way up the ranks he will all-too-often become a human resource drone stuck behind a desk where he mostly tries to keep each shift staffed with a warm body.

So how much does it cost to get away from the big security companies and start a security company?

The low cost of entry presents one of the most attractive components of starting a business in the security industry. There are few upfront costs because running a security company requires very little in capital assets. Also the security business owner may choose to work one of his own standing posts. This allows him to continue earning an income without building in overhead for his own salary. Using this strategy he keeps upfront costs low while he builds his company. Here is a breakdown of the minimum required upfront cost.

Those who receive The Professional Security Officer eCourse (it's free to anyone who downloads the free Unarmed Guide from The Security Officer Network) are taught the importance of getting public-safety certifications. Specifically, course participants are encouraged to complete as many free, online, FEMA course certifications as possible.

There are other benefits. These courses may entitle you to free college credits. For example: Charter Oak State College in New Britain, Connecticut, is known to accept these credits at no cost to its distance-learning students.

It's been years, but I still vividly recall the conversation. I was 18 years old and a brand-new, freshly-licensed security officer who had just been hired by a big security company; a company whose name you would recognize.

1. You can do what many security guards do: watch movies on your computer; text or chat with friends on your phone; get into long, pointless, time-wasting conversations with any co-workers that might be on late night duty or even try to sneak in a nap or two. These officers have ideologized a time-wasting culture at their post and it's a culture that entices you into an ethic of life-wasting laziness; or 2. You can use this time to your benefit. Here's how: --> Read More

38 states and the District of Columbia require state-level licensing/certification of security officers.

12 states do not require security guards to register with the state; although, depending on location, the officer may need to register with the local city government, e.g., neither Kansas nor Missouri require state licensing but officers from both states are required to register with their respective city governments. --> View Breakdown of States