Security career paths

A career in corporate security offers various potential paths to success for security practitioners. People who want to pursue a career in the security industry have more options than ever. Not everyone will wind up with the top job, but there are other ways to achieve career satisfaction in the security profession.

Corporate security is the field chartered with protecting an organization’s assets. The definition of assets varies from company to company, and choosing to specialize in one function over another can help you decide an area in which you will excel. It can also help you to choose what type of organization you might enjoy working with.

Are you new to the profession and a customer-service oriented individual? If so, entry-level physical security roles offer a pathway into security for someone who may have a lesser educational degree, but who wants to achieve more. While prior experience is always valued, entry level roles help you learn on the job. If the company you work for supports ongoing education, it is a fantastic way to further your knowledge of the security industry and advance your career.

Many of today’s security leaders can point to a start in an entry-level security job, and there are jobs at all levels of responsibility in physical security. Advanced positions include security directors, chief security officers and vice president level roles. Most of these jobs require planning, immediate response and customer service. You will deal with owners, senior management, other employees and visitors, and your peers daily.

Cyber, information or network security can be a good fit for someone who is more introspective and technically oriented. These roles can be found outside of corporate security, but often they roll up on the same org chart. The education bar for entry is generally higher with degrees in computer science or cybersecurity required. Various technical certifications are available in this field and can help in accelerating your career.

Current or former public sector security practitioners view private sector corporate security as a great way to continue contributing to the profession while progressing their careers. Not all transitions are seamless. It can be challenging to translate public-sector skills and achievements to private sector requirements. However, many former intelligence and law enforcement professionals successfully move into a second career in a variety of roles with varying levels of seniority.

Ready to leave either public- or private-sector sector employment but still want to have influence? If you specialized in an area of security in your earlier jobs, consulting may be the right fit for you. Setting up your own security consulting practice is not complicated.

However, there are also hundreds of security consulting firms around the world. Often, these firms are not interested in having you join their payroll. Rather, they value you as a specialized individual contributor. Your name recognition might also fill a void in their customer service requirements.

A career in corporate security can be diverse, rewarding, and a life-long pursuit. Regardless of the paths you choose to travel, you can be confident you are playing a critical role in the safety and security of the organizations you work for.