Frequently Asked Questions

What is electronic security?

Electronic security is about the protection of people and property from a remote location through the use of equipment and systems such as closed circuit television (CCTV) and surveillance, access control, video and audio intercom systems, integrated security and fire systems, home automation, building management systems, biometrics, alarms and alarm monitoring.

The work is interesting and challenging, and the jobs are safe and secure. Skilled people are in demand and people often stay in their jobs for long periods. This is definitely a growth industry, so you can be sure that opportunities in all fields will continue to grow. People in electronic security companies are paid well, they enjoy excellent conditions and they look after each other. They actually enjoy going to work!

• I like working in security, because it's very flexible and diverse. I can move from my operational job to technical or sales or into management ...
• I like its edgy nature, and the satisfaction of managing and dealing with risks and protecting people ...
• There is a very bright future for electronic security ...
• There are many opportunities for promotion in the security industry ...
• People working in the electronics security are very well rewarded, especially if you are good at electronics and IT and enjoy installation and solving faults ...
• It’s an exciting industry to work in, with changing technology and integrated security solutions ...
• I get a lot of opportunities to attend training and learn about the latest technology. I’m currently attending a course on green energy efficient security lighting ...
• Biometrics technology is an exciting area, and it’s not only a good career to come in as a young person, but also as a mature person ...
• I’ve been able to combine working flexible shifts in surveillance and raising a family ...
• Job security is a big part of the industry - I have never been out of work ...
• What I like about monitoring work are the flexible hours ... and I find I'm learning something new every day ...

Generally speaking, you start as an operator, gain experience and move into areas such as supervision, operations management, customer relations or sales. You could also train as a technician or become a trainer. Those with technical skills are highly sought after and often find they are promoted fairly quickly into more sophisticated technical areas or into sales consulting. If you have a background in manpower security, you're in a good position to take advantage of employment opportunities in electronic security. From there, you can move across to investigation or data protection, business development or software and product development or you could choose to start up your own business.

What is the purpose of electronic security?

The purpose of electronic security is to keep people safe and prevent physical violence. Electronic security systems are designed to protect premises from break-ins and damage and to minimise theft of goods from shops and warehouses. The systems also make a major contribution to the detection of offenses that have already occurred.

Manpower security is about the direct guarding of people and premises by security officers. The difference with electronic security is that security people monitor from a remote location and do not have direct contact with wrong-doers.

Electronic security is a growth industry, because, whether we like it or not, the likelihood of incidents causing loss or injury is on the increase. Electronic security is an attractive option because it has been proven to reduce the risk of exposure to vandalism, crime, violence and terrorism. Electronic surveillance is continuous, 24/7 – unlike a guard, it never needs a rest break! Furthermore, technology continues to improve and is becoming more flexible and reliable in the way it can integrate a whole range of security features.

Jobs can be grouped into operations - for example, work in a monitoring or control centre; technical - for example, installation and servicing of electronic products; sales of equipment and systems, and management. Electronic security is an attractive field to work in. Unlike guarding, E-security is safe work and good people are valued and well rewarded.

Biometrics in security involves systems that can uniquely identify people based on a variety of human characteristics, such as fingerprints, face recognition, DNA, hand and palm geometry and iris recognition.

What sort of operational jobs are there and what are the work conditions like?

You could work as an operator in a monitoring centre, which is a bit like a call centre, or in a control room of large places such as casinos and shopping centres. At these places there are also jobs for supervisors and managers. Shift work is common and hours are flexible, which makes it an ideal industry for people with family responsibilities and other interests.

The Certificate II in Security Operations gives you the skills you need to work in this area, but you don't have to have a qualification to get a job. Employers are looking for reliable people who turn up to work ready to focus and concentrate. Attention to detail is really important and you have to stay alert so that you can respond immediately to situations. Employers generally encourage their employees to train on the job so they can achieve whatever competencies are required.

If you are good at electronics and enjoy working with computers, you will enjoy working in the technical field. It's a dynamic and exciting area of the industry and people with technical skills are in high demand. The technology associated with electronic security systems is becoming increasingly integrated with other aspects of security and other computer controlled systems and networks. The technology is also changing fast with the introduction of biometrics as unique identifiers of people. If you lack a formal qualification, don't worry. The main thing is to have an aptitude for electronics and IT – employers are willing to train people on the job, so there are no barriers to joining the technical side of the industry.

What sort of technical jobs are there?

You could work as an electronic security installer and servicer of basic systems. This involves working on the sort of straightforward systems required in a domestic or small business environment. Alternatively, you could work as an installer andservicer of advanced systems, which are the more complex and sophisticated systems required by large businesses. Such systems often involve an interface with other control systems.

There are several pathways into technical areas. You could complete a Certificate III in Technical Security or a Certificate III in Security Equipment, a Certificate II in Telecommunications or a Certificate III in Telecommunications Cabling. Alternatively you could enter the technical field from an electrical background.

There are two levels of work in sales - the sale of standard off-the-shelf products and the sale of more sophisticated and customised solutions. Security consultants sell standard off-the-shelf products to homeowners and small businesses. Customised solutions are usually for larger organisations and can be quite complex because they have to be tailored to a client's specific security needs. Security risk management consultants who have a sophisticated understanding of products handle these sales. They need to be able to evaluate the security needs of clients and recommend appropriate products that provide value for money and meet their clients' security needs.

Security risk management consultants work with clients to assess the complex set of factors in their environment which could lead to incidents, and the most likely consequences of such incidents. Consequences could relate to lives lost, injuries, loss, damage, disruption, lost production and associated costs.

Many people who work in sales come from technical backgrounds, while others come through work and experience in the security industry itself. The Certificate III in Technical Security or Certificate IV in Security and Risk Management provide the training required to work in sales.

What are some of the new and emerging jobs in this industry?

Integrated electronic security consultancy is a new and emerging area of the industry. It involves providing high level consultancy services to large organisations with complex security needs. For example, consultants could be responsible for designing security solutions which are fully integrated with a client's management software and other networked systems. It requires a good knowledge of business management software and the type of networks used by large organisations. People who would enjoy the challenges of this new and emerging area, include those with experience in risk management associated with security systems, technicians with experience in designing and installing complex systems or people with a background in information technology.

There are no barriers to women working in the electronic security industry. It is a safe, modern industry with no gender discrimination and women work in highly responsible positions in all areas of the industry. Women working in this industry value the flexible working conditions and say, it’s a clean industry, it’s not physically taxing but it does require attention to detail.

What qualifications do I need to work in management?

Senior positions in electronic security companies are often held by the proprietors of the businesses. There are thousands of electronic security businesses, including a small number of large multinationals, but most are small. Positions in frontline management and business development are often filled by experienced operators, technicians or salespeople. People in administration positions may come from other industries and can develop and expand within the business and move into supervisory roles or sales consulting. The Certificate II in Business provides the skills required to work as an administrative assistant. To set up an electronic security business, you should have the Certificate IV in Security and Risk Management and your business must be compliant with the necessary state licensing and regulatory requirements.