In the “old days,” security guards' duties were usually limited to checking IDs, checking packages, and perhaps doing an occasional patrol. We still do these things, but we do so much more. These days, security guards are required to respond to and deal with medical emergencies, fires, bomb threats, hazardous material incidents, bad weather, etc. New York State law states that a Security Officer completes an annual training to maintain their license, but is once a year enough, or can you improve your skills by seeking additional knowledge?
Some ways a professional security guard can improve their performance is by keeping on top of emerging threats in the world, learning about the changing trends in security technology, taking leadership development courses, taking advanced tactical training, learning how to do a threat assessment survey, mastering CPR and First Aid, reading body language, and taking de-escalation training to name just a few things.
Extra training can help a security officer become more skilled at developing situational awareness, which means the officer learns to notice when things are just not right. A properly trained security officer will see things others don't. Isn't it better to find the bomb before it goes off than to go into recovery mode after the explosion? Benjamin Franklin said it quite eloquently: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”