Security guards or officers protect people or property from harm, such as theft or vandalism. They might grant access to offices or other commercial facilities and enforce property rules and regulations. Security professionals should always be prepared to respond to an emergency or deter violent acts while protecting people or property.

“The general responsibilities of a security professional are to observe, report and document what may be happening while they’re on duty,” says Marina Santos, vice president of recruiting for security firm Allied Universal. “In some cases, it could be that security professionals are walking the perimeter of a building and protecting intellectual property or escorting patrons and providing access control in and out of properties. And in others, we’re providing customer service at the front desk at a high-rise in the city.”

Of the more than 1 million jobs security guards held in the U.S. in 2021, 60% worked in investigation, guard and armored car services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An additional 7% of security guards worked in state, local or private educational services; 6% worked in health care and social assistance; 4% worked in government and another 4% in accommodation and food services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.3% employment growth for security guards between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 14,900 jobs will be lost.

You don’t need a college degree to become a security guard; typically, you can enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by employer-provided training. The amount of training you receive – and how long the training takes – can depend on the job itself and the employer’s requirements. For example, armed security guards usually receive weapons training that isn’t necessary for their unarmed counterparts. Depending on the role, security professionals may also need to complete CPR training, active shooter training or other requirements.

Each state has its own regulation, training and licensing requirements for security professionals, so you’ll also need to comply with applicable requirements in the state where you work.

“Some states require what is known in the security industry as a ’guard card,’ which is a license or certification to obtain employment as a security officer,” Santos says. “Some of the states that require the licenses do also require renewals periodically, but the frequency really depends on the local and state guidelines in that area.”