Safety and Security Jobs

All jobs in the private security sphere are regulated by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), which sets the standards for training, registration, and conduct for private security officers and the companies that employ them.

The market is booming, and expanding rapidly. Driven by the need for personal and asset protection amidst persistent crime-related challenges, the number of registered security companies and active officers has doubled over the last ten years.

This growth creates substantial employment opportunities, particularly for young people, ex-police, and former military personnel. The industry is dynamic – adapting to new challenges such as increased crime post-pandemic and integrating advanced technology such as CCTV, AI, and fleet tracking software and devices.

For more on tech use in the safety and security industry in South Africa, and further afield, click here.

The profession’s primary purpose is to protect people, information, finances, and physical assets of an organisation or individual.

This involves preventing, observing, and reporting criminal activities, disorder, and potential risks – in order to create a safe and secure society. Roles vary from physical guarding and access control, to emergency response and high-level risk management.

Private sector roles encompass the full scope of physical security and guarding (i.e. security guards, armed response officers, mobile patrol officers, access control officers, and control room operators or smart surveillance analysts); specialised security services (i.e. executive/VIP protection officers or bodyguards, armed escort drivers, private investigators, tactical support personnel, and drone operators); management and consulting roles (i.e. security managers, supervisors, risk managers, safety managers or officers, health, safety, security, and the environment (HSSE) managers, and security consultants or advisors); and technical and administrative roles (i.e. security administrators, security systems technicians or engineers, locksmiths, gunsmiths, and sales consultants for security services).

Recent technological advancements have created new roles in emerging and specialised fields, such as cybersecurity (i.e. cybersecurity specialists, network security managers, information security officers or consultants, and digital forensics experts); and technology and data (i.e. data analysts, AI and machine-learning specialists, and biometric security specialists).

To read more about the future of South Africa’s private security industry, click here.

What are the different niches at play in the safety and security industry?

The industry offers diverse roles – including physical security, occupational health and safety, and specialised roles. You may, for example, chose an armed response officer or a control room operator role within the physical security segment; a safety officer or manager role within the occupational health and safety (OHS segment); or an investigator or junior investigator, or a cybersecurity analyst or engineer, within the specialised-roles niche.

Yes, there is a structured progression to be expected, which is largely dictated by PSIRA grading and further education. The entry level starts at a grade E or D, encompassing basic patrolling and access control; the intermediate level progresses to grade C (some delegation) and grade B (a supervisory role); and the advanced level pegs you as a grade A, signifying management-level expertise – such as a security manager or site manager.

Those who take on further education, such as a Diploma in Security Management as just one example, can progress into senior roles such as a Director of Safety and Security or a Group HSSE Manager.

Basic requirements for a security-guard role usually include:

• being a South African citizen or permanent resident;
• being 18 years or older;
• having at least a Grade 9 education (though many jobs now require Grade 12/Matric);
• no criminal record or pending cases;
• physical fitness;
• good communication skills (verbal and written English, often a second language is advantageous); and
• registration with PSIRA and possession of the relevant PSIRA grade certificate.

PSIRA sets the training standards for different roles. The grading system (as mentioned in brief above) is as follows:

• Grade E/D – entry-level, focuses on basic patrolling and access control;
• Grade C – requires additional training for roles involving some authority and key control;
• Grade B – for security supervisors, requiring leadership and operational knowledge;
• Grade A – for management-level positions.

Training must be completed through a Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) accredited provider, and candidates must pass the PSIRA examinations to receive their license and grade.

The answer to this question typically relates to your specialisation area, which differs from person to person – and you will have a specialisation area, if you are keen on studying further! Consider the likes of Unisa’s Postgraduate Diploma in Safety Management here; or an Advanced Diploma in Security Management from Wits, here.

While salaries vary widely based on the role, grade, experience, location, and employer, the following figures can be taken as a basic guide:

• security guards or officers (Grades C to A) – earn between R6 456 and R22 322 per month. The average hourly rate is between R23 and R24;
• armed response officers – average around R24 per hour;
• security managers –range significantly, with some individuals earning an average of R30 000 per month;and
• cybersecurity professionals – who command much higher salaries than the former mentioned roles, with a chief information security officer (CISO) averaging around R1.2 million on an annual basis.

For a look at the top-paying security companies in South Africa, be sure to click here.

Working conditions often involve long hours and shift work (including nights and weekends) to provide 24/7 coverage. While the industry provides significant employment, many entry-level positions are characterised by low wages and limited access to social benefits.

Higher-level, specialised, and management roles typically offer better compensation and benefits, including provident funds and medical insurance. If you stick it out, you are likely to be well remunerated in your later years.

Key challenges include high crime rates (i.e. the constant threat of violent crime necessitates robust security measures); regulation and compliance (i.e. ensuring all companies and personnel are properly registered with PSIRA, and that they adhere to the law, requires ongoing efforts); working conditions (i.e. insecure employment, low pay, and lack of social recognition are significant industry issues, particularly when taking on a basic guarding role); and skills shortages (i.e. despite the large workforce, there are skills gaps – particularly in specialised areas and higher-level OHS functions).

Here's a piece on the key challenges faced by private safety and security personnel in South Africa.

The industry is expected to continue growing and evolving. Key trends include increased technology integration (i.e. greater reliance on CCTVs, drones, alarm systems, AI, and data analytics for surveillance and risk management); professionalisation (i.e. continued efforts to upgrade training and enhance the professional status of security personnel); specialisation (i.e. growing demand for experts in specific fields such as cybersecurity, environmental safety, and high-risk incident management); and the shift from public to private (i.e. as public policing services struggle with resources, the private sector is increasingly stepping in to fill the gap left in providing safety for communities and businesses).

Consider attending the likes of:

• Securex South Africa, which is considered the largest and most comprehensive physical security exhibition in Africa. Click here to register and for additional information;
• ITWeb Security Summit, a major annual summit for cybersecurity professionals, CISOs, and business leaders. Click here to register and for additional information;
• Africa Border Security Week, a pivotal event gathering experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address pressing issues in border management and security across the continent. Click here to register and for additional information;
• THREATCon, a leading cybersecurity conference in Africa designed to prepare IT professionals and business leaders for future digital challenges through learning and networking opportunities. Click here to register and for additional information;
• Moving Beyond Compliance: Leading Health & Safety Excellence in Africa, which focuses specifically on occupational health and safety (OHS) – aiming to help organisations shift from reactive compliance to proactive, people-centered strategies for workplace well-being and operational resilience. Click here to register and for additional information.

For inspiration in a safety and security career, you can watch movies that showcase dedication, crisis management, investigation, and personal resilience in high-stakes environments.

• Man on Fire highlights the dedication and lengths a former CIA operative (played by Denzil Washington) will go to in order to protect the person in his charge. It's a powerful look at personal security and the bond formed between a protector and a client;
• Richard Jewell, which is based on a true story, tells the story of a security guard who found a bomb during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta – potentially saving many lives. It is an inspiring, though also cautionary tale, about the often-underappreciated and complex role of a security professional;
• The Bodyguard is a classic that focuses on the challenges and commitment involved in executive protection, as a former secret service agent (Kevin Costner) takes on the job of guarding a famous singer (Whitney Houston);
• Wrath of Man is a modern-day action thriller, providing a look into the high-risk world of cash-in-transit security. It showcases meticulous planning, high stakes, and the intense nature of protecting valuable assets;
• Sully is a movie based on true events, showing the critical decision-making and crisis management skills of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger (played by Tom Hanks), who safely landed a plane on the Hudson River. A true testament to professional training and composure under pressure;
• Argo, another film based on a true story, provides an inspiring look at an elaborate exfiltration operation during the Iran hostage crisis – and demonstrates creative problem-solving and intelligence work in a high-risk political environment;
• Minority Report, produced for those interested in future security trends and technology, is a sci-fi movie exploring the ethical and practical implications of predictive policing and biometric surveillance, and encourages critical thinking about the future of security (main character, Tom Cruise!); and
• Enemy of the State, is a thriller that delves into government surveillance and data security issues, revealing how a combination of technologies can be used for surveillance, and the importance of privacy and security in a digital age. 

These individuals, who form part of the South African Police Service (SAPS’s) Presidential Protection Unit, are estimated to earn an annual salary in the range of R600 000 to R1 million – based on 2025 data and their specific rank, experience, and specialisation. 

While this is a general estimated range for the elite members of the unit and can vary significantly, factors influencing their exact pay include the likes of:

• rank and seniority:senior-level bodyguards can earn more than entry-level personnel;
• experience:officers with eight+ years of experience tend to earn a higher salary;
• specialisation: additional training and skills in close protection contribute to higher pay;
• overtime: a significant percentage of the compensation for VIP protection officers often comes from overtime pay, which has historically been a point of public discussion in South Africa. The SAPS has had a large overtime bill for its VIP protection unit in recent years;
• government salary levels: as SAPS members, their salaries are structured according to specific government salary levels – which can be higher than those of standard private security guards. 

The total cost of VIP protection in South Africa for all dignitaries is substantial, with the budget allocation for in-transit VIP protection in 2024/2025 being over R2.18 billion.

Yes, there is a significant and growing overlap between private and public safety and security services locally. While distinct in their mandates and accountabilities, the practical reality of high crime rates and limited public policing resources has led to an extensive private security industry that performs many functions which were once the sole preserve of the SAPS. 

Key areas of overlap include: visible deterrence (i.e. both public police and private security officers conduct visible patrols in neighbourhoods and commercial areas to deter crime); crime prevention (i.e. while the police focus on apprehending criminals after a crime has occurred, private security officers primarily aid in preventing crimes from occurring in the first place – using methods such as access control, surveillance (CCTV), and alarm monitoring); information sharing and collaboration (i.e. there is an increasing, albeit often ad-hoc, level of cooperation, including joint operations, intelligence gathering, and community policing forums).

The table below showcases the differences in roles and accountability levels:

The public and private sectors in South Africa are heavily intertwined when it comes to safety and security. Private security is a massive industry (outnumbering police officers significantly) which supplements the public policing service in South Africa – often providing a higher level of protection for those who can afford it. While a formal national cooperation agreement is lacking, practical partnerships and information sharing are common – highlighting an operational overlap driven by the shared goal of reducing crime. 

Private security officers, and those in the field interested specifically in daily operations and compliance, should consider ordering the likes of practical guides like:

Private security officers in South Africa should prepare for a wide range of crimes, with the most common and critical forms including: housebreaking/burglary, various forms of robbery (especially aggravated robbery and carjacking) and, increasingly, commercial crimes such as fraud. Here’s a more in-depth look at each:

• housebreaking and burglary: this consistently ranks as one of the most common crimes experienced by households and businesses. Private security officers are widely employed for proactive patrols and armed response to address these incidents;
• robbery (aggravated and residential): robberies involving weapons continue to pose a significant threat. This category includes house robberies/home invasions, which often involve groups of armed criminals, carjacking and vehicle theft which are common, particularly in major cities, with private security often being called in to assist with tracking and recovery services, cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, a specific, high-risk area where private security firms play a major role, and smash-and-grab attacks, which encompass theft from vehicles, and occur commonly in traffic or at intersections;
• theft of property: a wide range of non-contact crimes, such as theft of personal property, shoplifting, and stock theft;
• commercial crimes: financially motivated crimes such as fraud and forgery have seen a dramatic increase, and require corporate security officers with highly specialised training;
• infrastructure-related theft: theft of non-ferrous metals, such as copper cables, is a persistent problem, and private security guards are often the first to apprehend suspects;
• violent crimes (assault and murder): while the primary role of a private security officer is prevention and protection, these individuals operate in an environment with a very high rate of violent crimes and may encounter situations involving serious assault or murder;
• kidnapping: this has become a threat in South Africa, often targeting foreign travellers or wealthy individuals for ransom or to force cash withdrawals. 

For more on crime trends in SA, click here.

Private security officers in South Africa need specific training and preparation in the areas of risk assessment; armed response; situational awareness and conflict de-escalation; collaboration with the SAPS; and technology integration.

Over and above the PSIRA grade levels, also consider courses in Firearm Competency, VIP Protection / Close Protection, Emergency Response, and Cash in Transit training. A National Certificate in General Security Practices (click here) develops competencies in standard security practices such as access control, patrolling, and asset protection, while Safety in Society (click here) is offered by various TVET colleges as a foundation for those entering the security industry. For those seeking career advancement, qualifications such as an Advanced Diploma in Security Management (click here) can be taken on via the likes of UNISA.