Blog > How a Security Guard’s Role Has Changed Post-Pandemic
How a Security Guard’s Role Has Changed Post-Pandemic
Manned Guarding
Written by Steve HardcastlePublished: 17th August 2020Last update: 22nd June 2026
Throughout the UK, security guards are a familiar sight and provide vital services across public, commercial and residential facilities.
Along with significant changes to the ways we travel, live, shop and work, the Coronavirus crisis has also had an extraordinary impact on the role and demand for qualified security personnel.
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Key takeaways
Security guards have taken on a wider public-facing role since the pandemic, including enforcing safety protocols, managing crowds, and communicating directly with visitors alongside traditional site protection duties.
All front-line security guards in the UK must hold a valid SIA licence, which covers competencies including conflict management, fire awareness, and health and safety.
The demand for manned guarding has grown significantly since 2023, driven by increases in vacant premises, crowd management requirements, and the need for visible, responsive security personnel.
The roles of security guards explained
We know that security professionals carry out a varied and diverse range of duties. The typical roles undertaken include:
Managing the security and surveillance of premises.
Patrolling and monitoring sites.
Maintaining CCTV systems and recording equipment.
Controlling site access for authorised staff and visitors.
Alerting and liaising with the authorities in emergencies.
Crowd control and steering traffic flows.
Keeping clear records and tracking any unusual activities.
Protecting access to facilities and equipment.
Upholding safety and mandatory site requirements.
Given the forward-facing dynamic of a security guard’s role, this has evolved into a front line position. Personnel are managing the implementation of new safety procedures, communicating directly with the public, and enforcing controls in addition to their existing responsibilities.
A clear example of this shift is in the retail sector, where security guards are already on hand to prevent shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and manage any problems.
However, with the changes to the ways that we shop, this role has adapted. Security personnel have been charged with the responsibility of explaining how new systems will work, engaging with employees and visitors to implement them smoothly, and dealing with resistance to safety protocols.
How Covid-19 Has Changed the Security Sector
Some of the most significant ways in which security personnel roles have adapted include:
Higher ratios and visibility of security guards to enforce new safety regulations.
Increasingly communicative functions to assist visitors, workers and colleagues, particularly at public access venues.
Understanding and implementing social measures such as visitor number restrictions, face coverings, minimum distancing and sanitising.
Applying higher levels of crowd control and traffic management.
Assisting those most vulnerable in navigating new layouts and protocols.
Responding to a higher demand for mobile patrols while businesses and facilities are closed.
Expanded fire safety roles in safeguarding vacant premises.
Maintaining an overview of more extensive spaces, including car parking, open-access sites and queuing systems.
Enforcing processes by screening visitors.
While some aspects of these duties were previously part of the role of a security guard, there is a significant increase in the demand, responsibility and value of using such personnel to keep sites, workers and visitors safe.
As a result of the pandemic, the purpose of a security guard has transitioned into a more direct communication role. There is a substantial increase in the need to liaise with the public as new measures unfold, and are introduced, amended, and increased on a weekly or even daily basis.
UK businesses have tentatively been able to resume trading in some sectors. Having sufficient security to help manage a smooth reopening process has been critical to being able to meet requirements for people management.
The security sector has fundamentally shifted since the pandemic, with guards now serving as front-line implementers of safety procedures and communicators of new protocols to the public, extending well beyond traditional surveillance and access control responsibilities.
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How Security Guards Are Supporting UK Businesses
Protecting site security has always been vital to companies. This prevents criminal activity, provides peace of mind, and means that insurance costs and risk factors are mitigated. Often the visible presence of a security guard itself is sufficient to prevent a commercial premise being the target of illegal activities.
As how we interact continues to change, and businesses are left in a position of needing to respond quickly and comprehensively to the changing safety climate, forward-facing staff have become ever more essential.
The skill sets of professional security personnel lend themselves well to these increased demands, including:
Outstanding judgement skills.
Having a calm, authoritative nature to be able to respond to issues.
Dealing with disturbances in a controlled way.
Utilising excellent safety management knowledge.
Being reliable, punctual and dependable.
Displaying professionalism at all times.
The ability to maintain thorough records and activity logs.
Communication skills to be able to interact with a diverse spectrum of people.
How Security Demand Has Grown In 2023
With so many other changes to the UK workforce, the demand for highly trained security staff continues to grow. Businesses are reliant on such members of their teams to enforce new measures, control site access, and manage any resistance to more robust safety protocols.
Considerable increases in the number of vacant premises, the need to handle queuing and crowd control, and the essential nature of having a front of house representative to communicate with service users make the role of a security guard vital to continued trading.
Steve Hardcastle is Chief Technical Officer at Clearway, bringing extensive leadership experience from across the security sector, including the management of NSI and ACS-accredited businesses and the founding of Cerberus Security and Monitoring, which he led for over 25 years.
Working closely with Clearway’s research and development team, Steve helps shape the Group’s technical direction by identifying innovative technologies that enhance service capability, support operational performance, and provide a competitive advantage. His role includes developing technology strategies that support business growth, while also strengthening and evolving the Group’s existing product range.
Steve also provides technical and practical support across the wider business, working with sales, marketing, and operational teams on solution design, product positioning, implementation challenges, and day-to-day technical issues. His broad industry knowledge and hands-on approach play an important role in ensuring Clearway remains at the forefront of security technology and service innovation.
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