Private Security (or Physical Security) describes roles that secure physical spaces, people and assets. There are a broad range of positions in this discipline ranging from entry level security guard to executive level director of security who manages operations for facilities and teams of staff to ensure safety and security. Physical security is a very diverse field that allows an individual to specialize in roles such as: close protection (body guard), access control, detecting and preventing loss of assets (loss protection), responding to security alarms (mobile response), special events and crowd management, armed transportation, bylaw, law and policy enforcement and more. Some individuals use their experience in their security job to propel them into other fields such as law enforcement, while others understand how private security has a critical role in the safety of our communities and choose to devote their entire careers to that cause.

You must have an Alberta Security Services Licence to work as a security guard in the province of Alberta. If you want to start a career as a security guard or in other related security services employment in the province of Alberta, the Alberta Basic Security Training course is the place to start. This 40 hour government-required course, which is accredited through the Solicitor General of Alberta, is the legal minimum training necessary to work in the security industry.  This course covers all the material you need to know to take your government exam to get your Alberta Security Services licence.