The Different Grades of Security Guards in South Africa

Security guards in South Africa are governed under the Securities Officer’s Act of 1987 which grades security guards according to their training and expertise. Security guards can obtain grades from E to A. Most companies require a grade C or higher security officer to do work for them, although even security guards with grade E certification are capable of doing guarding duties. Grade A security officers have the highest skill level and thus garner the highest wages. Security guards in South Africa do the following jobs, regardless of their grade level:

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There is manned guarding of facilities or yards. This is a job where an individual walks a beat on a premise and protects the assets of the business or corporation. The grading of the security guard determines exactly what duties the guard is capable of performing. Most security guards of all grades perform manned duties at various companies. Some carry guns or have dogs, while others walk alone or in pairs to make sure the assets are protected. It is usually a night job but can be a day job, depending on the type of business and the assets to be protected.

There are guards that take care of assets in transit. These are things like money or jewels which are transported in armored cars and trucks. The money often goes from various businesses to the bank, where it is held in safety. Money can also go out from the bank to the various businesses it is needed at. A high grade of security employee is required for this job and the person must be able to handle a firearm as these are armed armored vehicles. There used to be only a few companies operating this kind of business but, lately, more small businesses have been able to provide armored car services to companies and banks. Many robberies occur that are directed at armored vehicles so security guards need to be very aware of the situation and be ever vigilant. Assets in Transit services have gotten to be very expensive due to the risk involved on the part of the security guards and the high grade services needed.

There are also security people that install security devices in various homes and businesses. They need to know a lot about security systems and how they work to be able to explain the way they work to the business owner or home owner. They often put in things like vehicle tracking systems, CCTV cameras, security fencing, home security systems, alarm systems and automobile alarms. These are highly technical positions that require no actual guarding but require a great deal of quality security expertise.

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There are also security people who monitor home alarms and respond whenever an alarm goes off. There are security companies such as ADT Security Systems and Chubb Security Systems, which are the largest of this type of company in South Africa. Any grade of security person can work at these places as there is only monitoring of systems in the community and phone calls to the person if an alarm should happen to go off.