Updated April 25, 2024
6 min read
A lead security officer manages the members of a security team assigned to a certain shift. Lead security officers plan, organize, direct, and schedule work. They train personnel and recommend applicants for corrective action and training opportunities. It is their job to verify identification upon entry to a facility. They see to it that a secure environment for events is well-maintained. Also, they develop an execution plan and cloud strategy for the technology advisory board.
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Lead security officer responsibilities
Lead security officers are responsible for crucial tasks such as developing and implementing processes for data loss prevention, managing security incidents and investigations, and maintaining accountability of classified documents and media. They also provide oversight of physical and personnel security operations, and train support staff in emergency response. As Trace Lasley Ph.D., Adjunct Professorial Lecturer at American University's Department of Justice, Law, and Criminology, states, "The best programs to look for are those that offer practical skills alongside the substantive knowledge. Substantively, right now, I would say domestic terrorism and cybersecurity." This highlights the importance of a lead security officer's role in managing and preventing security threats.
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead security officer resumes:
- Maintain a certificate in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Attend Supervisory/Managerial skills training, sexual harassment training, fire extinguisher training, CPR training.
- Employ advanced police security skills and vigorous patrol techniques to observe and detect criminal activity.
- Gather CCTV footage, employee/witness statements, and relevant documentation to support criminal proceedings against violators.
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
- Solicit, host VIP members, clients, providing security and hospitality.
- Provide general hotel security in a large hotel and restaurant/lounge, including extensive person/family security for celebrities and other VIP guests.
Lead security officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Lead Security Officers are proficient in Patrol, Security Procedures, and Emergency Situations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Lead Security Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 19%
Employed advanced police security skills and vigorous patrol techniques to observe and detect criminal activity.
- Security Procedures, 9%
Conduct quarterly tours of other DC area federal facility construction operations to advise on establishment of site security procedures.
- Emergency Situations, 9%
Provided customer service to patients and visitors, responded to emergency situations, conducted/participated in preventative type drills and exercises.
- Customer Service, 9%
Provided exceptional customer service in the ability to quickly and efficiently provide residential and business listings to customers upon request.
- Work Ethic, 7%
Distinguished self from coworkers with outstanding work ethic and recognized for meritorious service by senior leadership twice.
- Incident Reports, 5%
Answer security on call phone and respond to any emergencies deemed necessary to ensure security officers are correctly writing incident reports.
Common skills that a lead security officer uses to do their job include "patrol," "security procedures," and "emergency situations." You can find details on the most important lead security officer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a lead security officer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what lead security officers do because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." Additionally, a lead security officer resume shows how lead security officers use communication skills: "maintained communications with property owners and internal teams including the emergency response team. "
Observation skills. lead security officers are also known for observation skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead security officer responsibilities, because "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." A lead security officer resume example shows how observation skills is used in the workplace: "write comprehensive reports outlining observations and activities, provide customer service and support during the assigned shift. "
Most common lead security officer skills
The three companies that hire the most lead security officers are:
- Applied Materials54 lead security officers jobs
- BMO Capital Markets47 lead security officers jobs
- Securitas AB35 lead security officers jobs
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Compare different lead security officers
Lead security officer vs. Security specialist
A security specialist is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's database, ensuring that it's free from cyber threats and unusual activities. Security specialists' duties include upgrading hardware and software applications, configuring networks to improve optimization, addressing any unauthorized access on the database, troubleshooting system discrepancies, conducting security audits on the system, and improving automated processes. A security specialist must have a strong command of programming languages and system codes, as well as broad experience with technical expertise.
The annual salary of security specialists is $6,332 higher than the average salary of lead security officers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between lead security officers and security specialists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like patrol, security procedures, and emergency situations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead security officers and security specialist. For instance, lead security officer responsibilities require skills such as "parking enforcement," "loss prevention," "safety hazards," and "sap functional." Whereas a security specialist is skilled in "ladders," "security incidents," "security clearance," and "security program." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that security specialists earn slightly differ from lead security officers. In particular, security specialists are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead security officer. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Lead security officer vs. Officer
An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.
Officer positions earn higher pay than lead security officer roles. They earn a $8,946 higher salary than lead security officers per year.A few skills overlap for lead security officers and officers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "patrol," "emergency situations," and "customer service. "
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lead security officer responsibilities requires skills like "security procedures," "work ethic," "sap security," and "local law enforcement." But an officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "public safety," "powerpoint," "law enforcement agencies," and "financial statements."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Officers tend to reach higher levels of education than lead security officers. In fact, they're 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
Lead security officer vs. Security, shift supervisor
A security shift supervisor is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the building premises and company assets. Security shift supervisors observe and report suspicious people and activities within the building, monitor surveillance, and write incident reports. They also delegate tasks and schedule shifts to the security staff, assist guests with their inquiries and concerns, and direct them to the correct department. A security shift supervisor must have excellent leadership and observational skills.
On average, security, shift supervisors earn lower salaries than lead security officers, with a $5,935 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on lead security officers and security, shift supervisors resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "patrol," "security procedures," and "emergency situations.rdquo;
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, lead security officers are more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "sap security," "parking enforcement," and "sap functional." But a security, shift supervisor is more likely to have skills like "performance evaluations," "security logs," "direct supervision," and "criminal justice."
Security, shift supervisors earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $36,667. Lead security officers earn the highest pay from the start-up industry, with an average salary of $44,958.When it comes to education, security, shift supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to lead security officers. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.
Learn more about lead security officers vs security, shift supervisors.
Lead security officer vs. Security/customer service
A security/customer service is primarily in charge of enforcing security protocols in business establishments to prevent theft and protect properties and individuals. Part of their daily responsibilities is to patrol areas, keep an eye out for any suspicious activities or behavior, monitor security systems and cameras, and conduct regular inspections. They may also assist customers by answering inquiries, helping locate offices or stores, responding to distress, and resolving issues or concerns, ensuring customer satisfaction. Moreover, as security/customer service, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers, coordinating to keep order in the establishment.
Security/customer services tend to earn a lower pay than lead security officers by an average of $11,445 per year.According to resumes from lead security officers and security/customer services, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "patrol," "emergency situations," and "customer service. "
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead security officers and security/customer services, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead security officer might have more use for skills like "security procedures," "work ethic," "sap security," and "parking enforcement." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of security/customer services require skills like "id," "customer issues," "customer satisfaction," and "customer interaction. "
The hospitality industry tends to pay the highest salaries for security/customer services, with average annual pay of $35,558. Comparatively, the highest lead security officer annual salary comes from the start-up industry.The average resume of security/customer services showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to lead security officers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.
Learn more about lead security officers vs security/customer services.
Types of lead security officer
Updated April 25, 2024
Zippia Team
Editorial Staff
The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.
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Lead Security Officer Related Careers
- Commissioned Security Officer
- Facility Security Officer
- Head Of Security
- Officer
- Protection Security Officer
- Safety And Security Officer
- Security
- Security Agent
- Security Dispatcher
- Security Guard
- Security Officer
- Security Patrol Officer
- Security Site Supervisor
- Security Specialist
- Security Supervisor
Lead Security Officer Related Jobs
- Commissioned Security Officer
- Facility Security Officer
- Head Of Security
- Officer
- Protection Security Officer
- Safety And Security Officer
- Security
- Security Agent
- Security Dispatcher
- Security Guard
- Security Officer
- Security Patrol Officer
- Security Site Supervisor
- Security Specialist
- Security Supervisor
Resume For Related Jobs
- Commissioned Security Officer Resume
- Facility Security Officer Resume
- Head Of Security Resume
- Officer Resume
- Protection Security Officer Resume
- Safety And Security Officer Resume
- Security Resume
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- Security Guard Resume
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Updated April 25, 2024
