Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ManagementPhysicalSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementSecurity Education & TrainingFire & Life SafetyPhysical Security

For security specialists, continuous training is a must

By Dennis O'Connor
security-officer-fp1170x658v437.jpg

Image by ksandrphoto via Freepik

August 23, 2022

Unfortunately, criminality does not take days off. Therefore, it’s not enough to have a training day once a year for your security specialists or even one every few months.


Security specialists need continuous security training to stay on top of emerging threats, including keeping up with the latest in security technology to keep themselves and their clients safe. Continuous security training allows specialists always to be one step ahead when a threat arises.


Why Continuous Training?

Many fields require ongoing education for staff and management. However, typically the requirements are a few hours every year or every other year. The security profession is different because the landscape changes so rapidly. The security field contains so many topics and sub-topics that it would be challenging to cover them all during a once-a-year training. It would also be impossible for everyone to walk away feeling thoroughly educated. 


At many security firms, each security specialist must take dedicated training and career advancement courses. Although each firm has their own curriculum, a training division should ideally provide:


●       Leadership development courses for supervisors and management 

●       Advanced tactical training for armed officers, school resource officers, bank and high-value security specialists

●       Personal protection specialist training

●       And if the firm is more established, it could provide consulting services, such as site assessments, threat/vulnerability assessments, security planning, staff training and drills, and de-escalation training to other security firms.


If security firms do not currently have a dedicated continuous training division, there are other options, including hiring a security consulting firm that provides ongoing training or working with a security consulting firm to help set one up to continue in-house. There are many options, but one thing is for sure, continuous training is no longer an option but a must to successfully work in the security industry. 


There are many more reasons for security specialists to have continuous training, including: 


1. Evolving Security Threats

It’s essential to keep up with evolving threats, innovative criminal techniques, and solutions to everyday problems. Continuous training helps keep security professionals on their feet and gives them the confidence to handle any situation. 


2. Employee Engagement

Studies show that employees who receive continuous or frequent training feel empowered and more engaged in their work. New information gives staff a sense of pride and confidence. When you invest in your employees, you show them respect which builds trust and retention. 


3. Knowledge Retention

In our fast-paced world, it isn’t easy to retain new knowledge. Using continuous training, you can educate your people in familiar ways to create muscle memory, so they don’t have to think, just react with the proper response. When people hear the same thing repeatedly, they retain it better. 


4. Self-Awareness

Continuous training helps security officers to become self-aware and more skilled at evaluating a situation, noticing when things are “off,” and looking for opportunities to improve security. Well-trained security guards will catch things quicker and be more watchful for threats of any kind. Additionally, armed with tangible skills, they will be more successful in their positions. Nothing is worse than facing a situation where you were not adequately trained. 


5. Build Skills

When you offer continuous training, you allow your officers to build solid skills to use in the real world. Even if they don’t encounter these situations in their jobs, they will be well-equipped and ready when the time comes. 


6. Build Collaboration

When employees train together, they form bonds like a true team. That collaboration may inspire innovative solutions, staff participation, and helpful suggestions. Everyone has something to share, and everyone is a teacher and a student.


The security-guard-asleep-at-the-front-desk-and-clumsily-fumbling-around-when-faced-with-danger stereotype days are long gone. The reality is that security specialists today come from various professional backgrounds, are highly trained and continue to train to serve and protect properly. 

KEYWORDS: risk management security management security officers security operations training

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Dennis O’Connor is Director of National Training and Professional Development Center at DMAC Security.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Networking

    Balancing security & agility in today's networks is a continuous effort

    See More
  • malware-cyber-crime-freepik.jpg

    Malware-as-a-service is the growing threat every security team must confront today

    See More
  • SEC0119-education-Feat-slide1_900px

    It Takes a Village: Continuous Communication for Higher Education

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • security culture.webp

    Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

  • Physical-Security-and-Safet.gif

    Physical Security and Safety: A Field Guide for the Practitioner

  • security book.jpg

    Security Investigations: A Professional’s Guide

See More Products
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing