Key facts
- Security officers provide substantial social value but are often undervalued.
- The prestige of security work lags behind its perceived social contribution.
- Low pay and limited career paths are challenges for security officers.
- Security work is considered resilient to AI displacement.
- UK research indicates a significant gap between the social value and prestige of security roles.
Security guards are increasingly advocating for better pay and training, driven by a growing recognition of their essential role and the challenges they face. Unions are at the forefront of these efforts, highlighting a significant disconnect between the social value security officers provide and the occupational prestige and compensation they receive. Recent high-profile incidents, such as a shooting outside a mosque and increased threats to houses of worship, have amplified attention on the profession.