Career Overview
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Also Known As
- Corporate Security Manager
- Regional Security Manager
- Security Director
- Security Manager
Alternate Job Titles
- Chief Security Officer (CSO)
- Cloud Security Manager
- Corporate Physical Security Supervisor
- Corporate Security Director
- Corporate Security Manager
- Global Security Manager
- Industrial Security Specialist
- Internal Security Manager
- IS Security Manager (Information Systems Security Manager)
- Judicial Office Security Director
- Museum Security Chief
- Physical Security Manager
- Physical Security Systems Manager
- Regional Security Manager
- Safety Manager
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Develop budgets for security operations.
- Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.
- Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on company property.
- Direct or participate in emergency management and contingency planning.
- Respond to medical emergencies, bomb threats, fire alarms, or intrusion alarms, following emergency response procedures.
- Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
- Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Education and Training
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Coordination
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Fluency of Ideas
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Leadership Orientation
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
Tools & Equipment
- Approach detection systems
- Computer laser printers
- Explosives detectors
- Fire alarm systems
- Keyless entry systems
- Laptop computers
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Physical access control systems
- Security alarm systems
- Teleconferencing equipment
- Video surveillance systems
- Videoconferencing equipment
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Facilities Managers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Security Managers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $62,550 |
| Median | $104,690 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $173,080 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 141,090
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Security Management Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $81,270
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $58,610
Compliance Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $136,550
Security Guards
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,370
Emergency Management Directors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $86,130
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.