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How a security guard can use AI, task by task

O*NET 33-9032.00: Security GuardsMedian pay $38,020/year (BLS, May 2025)14 tasksJob Zone 2: Some preparation

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Armed Security Officer, Campus Security Officer (CSO), Custom Protection Officer (CPO), Customer Service Security Officer, Hotel Security Officer, Loss Prevention Officer, Safety and Security Officer, Security Agent, Security Guard, Security Officer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 9%AI-assist 17%Stays human 74%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 1 AI-ready, 2 AI-assist and 11 human-led tasks out of 14. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

AI can draft these 1

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Activities: [forestry, unit operations]
Notes: [paste]

Draft the report. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Activity report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write reports of daily activities and irregularities (today).
Step 2Fill in [Activities] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Write operational reports..

AI can help you prep these 2

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.

Several times a day

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Calls I get: [patients, customers, callers and what they usually need]
Rules: [what I can and can't say, who to transfer to]

Write a greeting, short answers to the 8 most common requests, and when to transfer or escalate.

10-minute exercise: Phone answers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you answer telephone calls.
Step 2Fill in [Calls I get] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer against your policies, especially anything about health or privacy.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information..

Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to answer alarms and investigate disturbances.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
What we've seen: [indicators, behaviour, logs, no personal data]
Our environment: [systems, sector]

Match these indicators to known tactics or schemes, suggest what else to look for, and list containment or reporting steps. Cite public frameworks or advisories I can verify.

10-minute exercise: Research a threat or suspicious activity

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you answer alarms (this week).
Step 2Describe it in [What we've seen] and fill in [Our environment].
Step 3Verify each tactic it names against the public source before acting.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.. Also involves: Respond to emergencies to provide assistance..

These stay human 11

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Responsible for others' health and safety: very high responsibility · Dealing with the public: extremely important · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day

Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.

Several times a day

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Location: [entrance, road, event]
Rules: [access policy, traffic rules]

List checks, warning signs and responses, and a log. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Access and flow control

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees and visitors. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Location] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor access or flow of people to prevent problems.. Also involves: Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas..

Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Setting: [venue, patrol area, building]
Common problems: [crowds, disputes, theft]

List positioning, what to watch for, de-escalation phrases, and when to call for backup. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Order-keeping plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you circulate among visitors, patrons and employees. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Setting] and [Common problems] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Practise two of the de-escalation phrases out loud before your next shift.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain public order or security..

Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Area: [entrances, gates, forest roads, restricted zones]
When: [closing time, fire season, incident]

Make a checklist for securing access: points to lock or block, signage, notifications, and a log entry template.

10-minute exercise: Secure-the-area checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you lock doors and gates of entrances and exits.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [When] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Walk the perimeter with it once and add any access point it missed.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Block physical access to restricted areas..

Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.

Several times a day

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Area: [property, park, premises]
Concerns: [intrusion, damage, safety]

Make a patrol route checklist, what to watch for, and a report template. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Patrol plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you patrol industrial or commercial premises.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Concerns] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Patrol properties to maintain safety..

Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Rule broken: [describe]
Setting: [court, premises]

Prepare calm, firm wording and escalation steps. Then play the person. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Rule warning

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you warn persons of rule infractions or violations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Rule broken] and [Setting] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Warn individuals about rule violations or safety concerns.. Also involves: Use weapons or physical force to maintain security..

Inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.

Daily

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Equipment: [fire doors, sprinklers, wiring]
Standard: [code, manufacturer]

List tests and pass criteria. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Safety function test

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inspect and adjust security systems, equipment and machinery (today).
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Standard] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.. Also involves: Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities..

Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Equipment: [drone, cameras, radar]
Mission: [describe]

List setup, legal limits and logging. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Surveillance operation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you operate detecting devices (today).
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Mission] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check legal and airspace rules before flying or recording.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities..

Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.

Monthly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Setting: [fire scene, security post]
Scenario: [describe]

Run a scenario and quiz me on steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: First aid scenario practice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you respond to medical emergencies.
Step 2Fill in [Setting] and [Scenario] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Provide first aid or rescue assistance in emergencies..

Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.

A few times a year

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Emergency: [fire, threat, injury]
Who to call: [police, fire, EMS]

Prepare a call script with location, nature and actions taken. Then play the dispatcher so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Emergency call

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you call police.
Step 2Fill in [Emergency] and [Who to call] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Request emergency personnel..

Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Vehicle: [ambulance, van]
Trip: [describe]

List route planning and safe driving points. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Emergency or transport driving

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you escort or drive motor vehicle (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Vehicle] and [Trip] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment..

Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a security guard. Part of my job is to monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.

Context: The work draws on public safety and security, telecommunications and therapy and counseling.
Building or space: [describe]
Targets: [temperatures]

List adjustment and monitoring steps. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Climate control adjustment

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor and adjust controls.
Step 2Fill in [Building or space] and [Targets] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 2.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Adjust building climate control systems..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Monitoringimportance 3.4/5
    Used in: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.1/5
    Used in: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Writingimportance 2.8/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Persuasionimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  • Service Orientationimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Getting into this job

High school diploma is most common (79% of workers)

  • High school or less 79%
  • Certificate or some college 14%
  • Associate's 5%
  • Bachelor's 2%
  • On-the-job training: up to 1 month
  • Related experience: 1–3 months

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Word