How to Become a CCTV Security Guard
There are literally hours of footage of you that you’ve never seen. For anyone who is a bit of a recluse, this idea can be kind of scary but if you’ve ever gone into a shopping centre, a corporate building or even walked the streets of some of our CBDs, you’ll be on CCTV footage somewhere.
CCTV stands for closed circuit television and it’s the system used to maintain video surveillance on residential, commercial and public property. These days instead of the video surveillance being ‘closed circuit’ as suggested it is often an advanced IP (Internet Protocol) network of cameras able to transfer and capture video and sound in real time and with accessibility through applications and private network systems.
CCTV security guards work in the control room and as the name suggests they monitor the CCTV footage, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious or illegal. All CCTV security guards are trained and licensed security guards working with this specialty niche.
If you’re thinking about getting into the exciting field of CCTV monitoring but you want to know more about the process, don’t worry we have you covered with this complete guide to becoming a CCTV monitoring security guard.
What does a CCTV monitoring security guard do?
A CCTV monitoring security guard works in the control of a building, organisation or company monitoring the video surveillance. They often work within a team of security guards, and they are responsible for watching what’s happening and making sure the property remains safe. Depending on the role they are doing they may also be sent out to patrols as a part of their shift.
Where do they work?
CCTV security guards work in every industry. There is CCTV security systems in most companies and organisations so a CCTV guard could work for a large corporate building, a shopping centre or a school or hospital. There is no shortage of options and opportunities for this particular area of security work.
How much do they make?
CCTV security guards are paid under the security services award. This award has a starting hourly rate for full-time employees on day shift under a level 1 of $22.28 but this goes all the way up $55.06 per hour if you work casually and take a Sunday shift. The average security guard salary in Australia is $60,000 per year.
But, the amount you make depends on the shifts you take, the contract you’re working under and the industry you work in. There is always opportunity to make more, you just have to find the right job.
What skills do you need to be a CCTV security guard?
In order to be a successful CCTV security guard, you’ll need the following skills:
Attention to detail
It should come as no surprise that to be good at CCTV monitoring you need to have excellent attention to detail. Picking up small cues, changes in body language or subtle behavior shifts are key to good CCTV monitoring.
Vigilance
Staying vigilant is paramount to the role. You must retain focus and stay alert for long shifts. There’s no zoning out in a role like this, you have to be sharp the whole 10 or 12 hour shift.
Written and Verbal skills
Working as a security guard you will need to have exceptional written and verbal communication skills. There are daily reports you will need to fill in on each shift and you will also have to complete complex handover routines with the next security guard as they clock in and you clock out.
Security guards are also responsible for deescalating situations. Having good verbal communication skills can help you effectively maneuver in dangerous scenarios in order to deescalate the situation.
Highly organised
Organisation is key to excelling as a CCTV monitoring security guard. In your role you will have many competing priorities, including paperwork, filing and shift tasks that you need to keep track of.
CCTV monitoring is a highly regulated job so you’ll have to keep all your work organised and easily assessable.
How do you become a CCTV security guard?
Once you have decided that this role is right one for you and will fit your personality and skills well, you’ll need to check that you are eligible to hold a security guard licence. You can check out the requirements here. All CCTV monitoring guards are trained and licensed security guards as well.
What course?
In order to work as a CCTV monitoring security guard you will need to complete the Certificate II in Security Operations. This is the course required to get your unarmed security guard licence.
In this course you will learn everything you need to know to excel in the private security industry. The course covers how to:
- Apply effective communication skills to maintain security
- Apply legal and procedural requirements to work effectively within a security team
- Apply WHS, emergency response and evacuation procedures to maintain security
- Apply risk assessment to select and carry out response to security risk situations
- Provide quality services to a range of security clients
- Protect self and others using basic defensive techniques
- Patrol premises to monitor property and maintain security
- Screen people, personal effects and items to maintain security
- Monitor and control access and exit of persons and vehicles from premises
- Monitor and control individual and crowd behaviour to maintain security
- Apply security procedures to manage intoxicated persons
- Apply security procedures to remove persons from premises
- Escort and protect persons and valuables
- Provide first aid
In the course you’ll learn in a classroom environment, with a security trainer who is still active in the industry, so you can benefit from their wisdom and real life experience. You’ll be taken through practical exercises and you’ll run scenarios and learn through role playing to give you a more hands on learning experience.
Once you have completed this course if you would like to gain some additional niche training for this particular field of security you could look into doing the Control Room Skill Set, this short course covers how to:
- Monitor security and coordinate response from control rooms
- Store, protect and dispose of security information
- Use and maintain security databases and compile reports
How long does it take?
The Certificate II in Security Operations course is taught through an eight day face-to-face workshop at our Gold Coast, Logan and North Lakes locations. There is some online learning required before and after the workshop. We also deliver this training right across Australia, however the course duration will differ in some states and territories.
Once you have completed the course you will receive your certificate in 10 working days and then you’ll need to submit your application for your security licence. In Queensland security guard licences are handled by the Office of Fair Trading. You should allow about 6 weeks from submission of your application to receiving your security licence in most circumstances.
How much does it cost?
The full fee for service cost of the course is $1500 but most people are able to access some government funding in QLD. This funding is called Certificate 3 Guarantee funding and you might be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
- Are aged 15 years or older;
- Are no longer at school (with the exception of school students in Year 10, 11 and 12 undertaking a VET in School (VETiS) program;
- permanently reside in QLD;
- Are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen; and
- Do not hold, and not be enrolled in, a Certificate III or higher-level qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundation skills training. (This does not apply to AVI20118 Certificate II in Transport Security Protection).
If you are successful in gaining this funding, you would only need to pay a small co-contribution fee of either $14 or $42 (depending on your concessional status).
If you don’t qualify for this funding, there are also scholarships available and payment plans. If you’d like to know more about your financial aid options, you can organise to have a chat with one of our friendly course advisors here.
How to get started
If you’re interested to breaking into the exciting world of private security, the first thing we would recommend is to attend one of our free security career information sessions. We run these online every week. Or you can elect to attend one of our monthly face-to-face sessions at our college locations.
In these sessions our experienced team who have strong industry connections will discuss everything you might want to know about the security industry, the training, the jobs you can do, what you can earn and even how the funding and scholarships work. You can book in to attend one here or you can get in touch with us and we can walk you through the process.