You probably don't want to be an unarmed security officer assigned to remote posts for the rest of your life. While it’s a great way to break into the industry (pardon the pun) and start a career in security, most guards aspire to be something more.
Most people don’t realize it, but security is a multi-billion industry undergoing tremendous growth and offering a multitude of advancement opportunities. Experience as a security guard can be a springboard to careers in management or training at contract security firms, in law enforcement, in the hospitality/gaming industry, and in many different areas of the criminal justice system such as court officers, corrections officers, probation officers, or Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. Or maybe start your own contract security firm.
It all depends on figuring out what you want to be and knowing where to look to take advantage of training opportunities. Towards that end, Defencify encourages you to visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Training Resources (DHS) page.
Here you will find a wide range of training resources on a number of security-related topics. These courses are offered by various federal government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), FEMA, and DHS, and are available free to first responders and U.S. citizens.
Here is just a sampling of courses and resources applicable to security officers seeking to accelerate or jump start their careers:
- Bureau of Justice Assistance National Training and Technical Assistance Center. The BJA National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) serves as a major source of justice-related training and technical assistance to improve criminal justice systems nationwide.
- CDC Preparation and Planning for Bioterrorism Emergencies. This training relates specifically to countering bioterrorism agents, including anthrax, botulism, plagues, smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and more.
- Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC). Attend training at New Mexico Tech (NMT) to learn how to handle explosives, live explosives, and incendiary devices.
- Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Severe Weather. The CDC provides training and education in the response, cleanup, and safety during and after natural disasters including earthquakes, extreme heat and cold, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and more.
There are DHS resources to teach you how to become a first responder, how to handle toxic chemicals, recognize suspicious packages, assist in suicide prevention, and many other topics relative to public safety. Bettering yourself through training increases your value to current and potential employers and opens doors to opportunities you may not have known about before.
Best of all, these resources are FREE. Visit https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/frg-training for an updated list of all training resources offered through the DHS Science and Technology portal to expand your knowledge, credentials, and accelerate your security career.
Thinking about starting a career in security? Complete basic unarmed security guard training at your convenience, on your device, and get your career started today! Visit us at www.defencifytraining.com to learn more about how you can earn your license through our remote, self-paced training platform.
