14 Security Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various security interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Security Interview Questions
- How do you ensure the safety and security of your employees and visitors?
- What are your emergency procedures in the event of a fire or other disaster?
- What are your policies and procedures for handling confidential information?
- How do you conduct background checks on new employees?
- What are your policies for managing keys and access to secure areas?
- What security measures do you have in place to deter crime?
- How do you respond to security breaches or incidents?
- What is your plan for dealing with bomb threats or other threats of violence?
- What are your procedures for evacuating the premises in an emergency?
- How do you handle lost or stolen property?
- What is your policy on weapons on the premises?
- How do you monitor and control access to the premises?
- What measures do you take to protect against theft or vandalism?
- What is your plan for dealing with disruptive or intoxicated individuals?
How do you ensure the safety and security of your employees and visitors?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a security guard. First, it is important to ensure the safety of employees and visitors in any workplace. Second, security guards play an important role in keeping people safe in public places. Finally, this question allows the interviewer to gauge the security guard's level of experience and knowledge in this area.
Example: “There are a number of ways to ensure the safety and security of employees and visitors. Some of the most important include:
1. Providing adequate security staffing levels. This includes having enough security guards on duty to cover all areas of the facility, as well as providing additional staff during peak times or for special events.
2. Conducting regular security audits. Audits help to identify potential security weaknesses and allow corrective measures to be put in place before an incident occurs.
3. Implementing effective security procedures and protocols. This includes things like ensuring that all doors and windows are locked after hours, conducting regular fire drills, and having a clear evacuation plan in place.
4. Providing employee training on security procedures. It is important that all employees know what to do in the event of an emergency, such as how to evacuate the building safely. Regular training can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what to do in the event of an incident.
5. Working with local law enforcement agencies. Establishing a good working relationship with local police or other law enforcement agencies can help to ensure that they are aware of your security needs and can respond quickly in the event of an incident.”
What are your emergency procedures in the event of a fire or other disaster?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know if you are prepared for an emergency situation. Second, they want to know if you know how to evacuate the premises in an orderly fashion. Third, they want to know if you have a plan in place to keep everyone safe in the event of an emergency.
It is important for security guards to be prepared for emergency situations because they are responsible for the safety of others. In the event of a fire or other disaster, security guards must know how to evacuate the premises and keep everyone safe.
Example: “In the event of a fire or other disaster, our emergency procedures are as follows:
1. Evacuate the premises immediately.
2. Do not use elevators – use the stairs instead.
3. If you are trapped, call 911 and give your location.
4. Stay low to the ground – smoke and toxic gases rise.
5. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth or towel.
6. If possible, seal any openings (e.g., doors, windows) to prevent smoke from entering.”
What are your policies and procedures for handling confidential information?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. First, they want to know if the security guard is aware of the importance of keeping confidential information confidential. Second, they want to know if the security guard has a plan in place for how to deal with confidential information if it is lost or stolen. Finally, they want to know if the security guard is comfortable with handling confidential information.
It is important for security guards to be aware of the importance of keeping confidential information confidential because they may come into contact with sensitive information while on the job. They need to know how to handle this information properly so that it does not fall into the wrong hands. Additionally, having a plan in place for how to deal with confidential information if it is lost or stolen will help to ensure that the information remains secure.
Example: “Our policies and procedures for handling confidential information are designed to protect the information from unauthorized access and disclosure. We require all employees to sign a confidentiality agreement that stipulates the consequences of disclosing confidential information. We also maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect confidential information.”
How do you conduct background checks on new employees?
The interviewer is asking this question to gain insight into the security guard's hiring process and to see if the guard is thorough in their screening of new employees. It is important for security guards to conduct background checks on new employees because they need to ensure that the people they are hiring are trustworthy and will not pose a threat to the safety of the premises.
Example: “There are a few different ways to conduct background checks on new employees. One way is to use a third-party service, which will screen the employee against public records. Another way is to do a self-check, where the employer runs a check on the employee using their own resources.”
What are your policies for managing keys and access to secure areas?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a security guard. One reason is to gauge the guard's understanding of security protocols. It is important for security guards to have policies in place for managing keys and access to secure areas because this helps to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to these areas. Additionally, having policies in place helps to deter potential security breaches and can make it easier to investigate if a breach does occur.
Example: “Our policies for managing keys and access to secure areas are as follows:
1. All keys must be kept in a secure location, such as a locked cabinet or safe.
2. Only authorized personnel should have access to keys and secure areas.
3. Keys should be properly labeled and organized to ensure that they are returned to the correct location after use.
4. Access to secure areas should be monitored and logged, and unauthorized access should be reported immediately.”
What security measures do you have in place to deter crime?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a security professional. First, it shows that the interviewer is interested in the security measures that are in place and how they deter crime. This is important because it shows that the interviewer is interested in the safety of the people who will be using the facilities that the security professional is responsible for. Second, it shows that the interviewer is interested in the security professional's ability to think critically about security issues and to come up with creative solutions to deter crime. This is important because it shows that the interviewer is interested in hiring a security professional who is able to think outside of the box and who is willing to take on new challenges.
Example: “There are many security measures that can be taken to deter crime. Some of these measures include:
-Installing security cameras and alarm systems
-Hiring security guards
-Making sure all doors and windows are locked
-Keeping valuables out of sight
-Having a well-lit property”
How do you respond to security breaches or incidents?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a security guard. First, they want to know if the security guard is aware of the potential for security breaches or incidents. Second, they want to know how the security guard would respond to such a situation. This is important because it shows whether or not the security guard is prepared to handle a security breach or incident.
Example: “There are a few steps that should be taken in response to a security breach or incident:
1. First, it is important to assess the situation and determine the extent of the breach or incident. This will help you to determine what steps need to be taken to mitigate the situation.
2. Next, you should notify your security team and other relevant personnel so that they can help to contain the situation.
3. Once the situation has been contained, you should then begin an investigation to determine the root cause of the problem and take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future.”
What is your plan for dealing with bomb threats or other threats of violence?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the security guard's level of preparedness and ability to think on their feet in the event of an emergency. It is important for security guards to be able to remain calm and take appropriate actions in the event of a bomb threat or other act of violence.
Example: “There are a number of steps that should be taken in the event of a bomb threat or other threat of violence. First, it is important to remain calm and not to panic. Second, it is important to evacuate the area immediately and to notify the authorities. Third, it is important to follow the instructions of the authorities and to cooperate with them fully. Fourth, it is important to take precautions against potential secondary threats, such as fires or explosions. Finally, it is important to debrief after the event and to learn from any mistakes that were made.”
What are your procedures for evacuating the premises in an emergency?
An interviewer would ask this question to a security guard in order to gauge their level of preparedness for an emergency situation. It is important for security guards to have procedures in place for evacuating the premises in an emergency because it helps to ensure the safety of everyone on the property.
Example: “In the event of an emergency, our security team will immediately begin evacuating the premises. Our team will start by clearing the building of all occupants and then proceed to escort them to the nearest exit. Once everyone has been safely evacuated, our team will secure the building and await further instructions from authorities.”
How do you handle lost or stolen property?
The interviewer is asking how the security would handle lost or stolen property in order to gauge their ability to handle difficult situations. It is important for the interviewer to know how the security would handle this type of situation because it can give them insight into their ability to think quickly and handle difficult customer service inquiries.
Example: “If you lose something, the first thing you should do is look for it. If you can't find it, then you should report the loss to the appropriate authorities. If your property is stolen, you should report the theft to the police and try to get your property back.”
What is your policy on weapons on the premises?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the security guard's level of experience and professionalism. It is important to know the policy on weapons on the premises because it will help the security guard to know how to handle situations that may arise.
Example: “Our policy on weapons on the premises is that all weapons must be stored in a secure location and must be properly secured at all times. All employees must also undergo a background check and training before being allowed to access any weapons.”
How do you monitor and control access to the premises?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a security guard. One reason is to gauge the security guard's ability to keep track of who is coming and going from the premises. This is important because it can help to prevent unauthorized people from gaining access to the premises. Another reason for asking this question is to see if the security guard is able to identify potential security risks and take steps to mitigate them. This is important because it can help to prevent theft, vandalism, or other crimes from occurring on the premises.
Example: “There are a few ways to monitor and control access to the premises:
1. Access Control Lists (ACLs): You can use ACLs to specify which users or groups are allowed access to which areas of the premises. For example, you could create an ACL that allows only employees to enter the office building, or that allows only certain employees to enter certain areas of the building.
2. Access Control Systems: You can use access control systems, such as door locks and security cameras, to physically control access to the premises. For example, you could require employees to use their employee ID card to unlock doors, or you could set up security cameras to monitor who is entering and exiting the building.
3. Security Guards: You can station security guards at entrances and exits to the premises, in order to check IDs and monitor who is coming and going.
4. Visitor Logs: You can keep track of visitors by requiring them to sign in and out at a designated area, such as a reception desk. This will allow you to know who is on the premises at all times.”
What measures do you take to protect against theft or vandalism?
An interviewer would ask "What measures do you take to protect against theft or vandalism?" to a/an security in order to find out what the security's procedures are for protecting the premises against these types of crimes. It is important to know what measures are in place to protect against theft or vandalism because these are two of the most common crimes that occur on premises. If the security does not have adequate measures in place, it could lead to a loss of property or even injury.
Example: “There are a number of measures that can be taken to protect against theft or vandalism. Some of these measures include:
- Installing security cameras
- Installing alarm systems
- Hiring security guards
- Using locks and security codes
- Keeping valuables in a safe place”
What is your plan for dealing with disruptive or intoxicated individuals?
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the security guard's ability to deal with difficult situations. It is important for security guards to be able to handle disruptive or intoxicated individuals calmly and confidently in order to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
Example: “There are a few different ways to deal with disruptive or intoxicated individuals, depending on the severity of the situation. For minor disruptions, you may simply ask the individual to calm down or leave the premises. If the individual becomes more disruptive or violent, you may need to call law enforcement for assistance. In any case, it is important to remain calm and professional while dealing with the situation.”