Glossary
Security Guard Terms & Vocabulary
15 essential security guard terms with plain-English definitions: the vocabulary you’ll hear in training and on day one.
Key security guard vocabulary
These 15 terms come up constantly in security guard training, on the job and in interviews. Knowing them helps you follow instructions, document accurately and sound prepared.
- Access control
- Managing who can enter areas.
- CCTV
- Closed-circuit television: security camera systems.
- Credential
- An ID badge or document authorizing access.
- Daily activity report (DAR)
- A log of activities and observations during a shift.
- De-escalation
- Calming situations to prevent conflict.
- Emergency action plan
- A site plan for evacuation and emergencies.
- Guard tour system
- Technology that verifies officers visit checkpoints.
- Incident report
- A detailed report of an unusual event.
- Lone worker
- Someone working alone, requiring check-in procedures.
- Observe and report
- The core security approach: watch, document and notify authorities.
- Patrol (tour)
- Regular rounds to check areas and deter problems.
- Post orders
- Written instructions describing duties for a specific security post.
- Shelter in place
- Staying inside during certain emergencies.
- Trespass
- Being on property without permission.
- Use of force
- Actions limited by law and company policy; many posts are observe-and-report only.
Practice these terms
Test yourself with the free Security Guard practice test: it includes vocabulary questions built from this list. For a complete course, see Security Guard training.
Browse terms from every career in our career glossary.