Do you know what the top 10 qualities of an excellent security guard are? Find out before you hire one.

1. Security services are some of the most important elements of a
successful business operation. Security personnel are hired to help
keep people and the premises safe and maintain peace and order.
They are also often hired to serve as personal escorts and safety
officers. Before hiring someone with whom you will entrust the safety
and security of your property or those of your loved ones, look
carefully at their qualifications. Here are the top 10 qualities of an
excellent security guard:

2. Training
The best security guards are those who have undergone the necessary
training that will help them obtain important skills and knowledge that
will be critical to how well they can perform their job. They should also
hold the required certification and license necessary for them to do
their job.
Experience
An experienced security guard has the background and knowledge that
he or she can apply on the job. This means that he or she can hit the
ground running, so to speak. Trained and experienced security guards
know what to do and why.

3. Honesty
One of the best and most important qualities of an excellent security
guard is honesty. Someone who is reliable can be trusted, which
means that letting them take charge eliminates any worries regarding
security breaches, inside jobs or confidential information.

4. Commonsense
Although security guards must follow certain rules and policies, they
should have enough common sense to know exactly how and when to
work around an issue, especially if it presents a potential risk to their
client.

5. Ability to lead and to follow
Another important quality of an excellent security guard is his or her
leadership ability. Many times, the security personnel are expected to
work with a team, which means they have to know when to take
charge. Where the safety of the client is at risk, the security personnel
must know how and when to impose the necessary practices for the
common good.
A security guard must also know how to abide by the rules,
particularly those set up by their client. There are instances, however,
when these rules need to be modified in order to ensure that the client
is kept safe or that legal requirements are met.

6. Communication skills
An excellent security guard must be able to communicate well, not just
with the client but with other people the client works or is involved
with on a day-to-day basis.

7. Physical fitness
The best security guards are those that are healthy, nimble and
physically reliable, able to defend himself/herself and the client if and
when necessary.
Value for human life
An excellent security guard puts value on human life above all. In this
type of job, strong concern for others is critical, allowing the guard to
work at his or her best.

8. Ability to think on his /her feet
An excellent security guard must be quick thinking and able to come
up with good solution within a short time frame. This quality is
especially important during emergency situations.
Photos by:
Ed kasha
@Hills Street Studios/Blend Images/Corbis