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Security work can be dangerous and you have to be willing to put yourself in a risky position to protect others. Many people will be relying on you to keep anti-social behaviour at bay.

There are a range of positions available, which means that it's a great industry for those who don't wish to follow a set career path. Maybe you could be part of the security team for Beyonce's next tour? Or be a red carpet bodyguard? There are also security teams needed at all filming and sporting events.

There are increasingly more roles available in cyber security, which is centred on protecting the public from online security threats. This would be a great way to enter the industry for those who are proficient in IT. Mi5 recruits a number of school leavers every year to train up in digital security and help keep the country safe.

Traditionally the security workforce is predominantly male, which is partly due to it attracting a lot of ex-military professionals (women were excluded from combat roles) However, there are professional societies set up to support women in this industry and champion their professional development.

There are a variety of extra qualifications that you can pursue in security to further your skillset. For example, you could take a course in vehicle immobilisation, CCTV or even handcuffing to make you more specialised.

N Written by Navdeep

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Skills & interests required for a career in Security

Security guards and personal bodyguards require good levels of physical fitness as the work could require you to be on your feet for long stretches of time.

You will also need to be able to remain alert and respond quickly to dangerous situations. Ideally, conflict management skills will help you to diffuse a situation before it escalates, but this is not always possible.

Working in cyber security there is less focus on physical fitness, but you will need to be very technically minded and comfortable working with computers.

Other skills that will benefit you across the industry include: -Problem-solving -Patience -Professionalism -Coping under pressure

For some roles you may require a full, clean driving licence to be able to travel between venues.

Security apprenticeships & other career progress routes for school leavers

With experience, you could progress into a senior position and manage a team of other security guards. Eventually, you could become a chief security officer with a lot of responsibility, but this would involve more time on the admin and business side of the industry.

Others choose to become personal bodyguards. This may require some extra qualifications in order to make you stand out because it is a highly competitive field, but private contracts tend can be very well paid.

In cyber security, the career progression would be a little different and depend upon the nature of your apprenticeship.

Tips for getting into the field

If an employer is offering professional training, make sure that it is certificated by the SIA(Security Industry Authority). This is a legal requirement and without it you may find that you have to retrain later down the line.

What do Security professionals get paid?

According to the National Career Service, the average salaries for a security officer are:

Starter: £13,000 to £16,000 Experienced: £22,000 Highly Experienced: £26,000 (supervisor)

For bodyguards the salary can vary quite widely and is often done on a contractual basis.

Also, the salaries within security usually depend upon the level of risk that is involved in the work. For roles that are considered to be high risk and dangerous you will be paid significantly more and could earn up to £1,500 a day.

A career in cyber security can be very lucrative, with average salaries being reported at around £70,000.

What qualifications do I need for a career in Security?

To be a bodyguard there are no formal education requirements. However, unless you're working for a company in-house, you will require a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

To qualify for this licence you must be over 18 and pass identity and criminal record checks. The SIA may also take into consideration mental health problems. To check if you are eligible you can visit the SIA website.

Working in cyber security will require formal training through either a degree or an apprenticeship. To get the best chances of landing a spot on one of these you should take I.T and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.