Sounds a little far fetched right - what can a security guard really learn from a fictional video game?
There are in fact quite a few parallels between security guards in real life and fiction that a security guard much like yourself can learn from. In Payday 2, players must complete a series of heists consisting of collecting as much money from a bank as possible or destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of stuff in a shopping mall. They do this by manoeuvring through the bank or shopping mall’s security system stealthily or by force. Players who don’t do this stealthily are often met with an onslaught of SWAT officers and it can be very difficult to get away with the loot under those circumstances.
Lesson 1: Remain vigilant and flexible
When done stealthily what players are wary of is the rounds that guards make when patrolling the area. This is very uniform and systematic which makes their movements very predictable. Albeit this is a video game and they are programmed to behave like that, but it resembles how most security guards approach their jobs. Success in the game comes from being able to anticipate the guards’ movements and take them out without anyone noticing.
Therefore, although this is standard procedure for the job; it is vital to remain vigilant when making rounds but to be spontaneous in how one makes those rounds, i.e. taking a detour every now and then.
Lesson 2: Stay in shape
When the contract for pay is a bank heist, a good tactic is to take out the security room first as this is where the CCTV is managed. Since the role of CCTV Operator requires a person to remain in one spot continuously, laziness and losing focus becomes a problem.
According to Adzuna, the average CCTV Operator can expect to make £21,000/year which is very low for a job as risky as this one. This makes it seem like a lack of motivation at times is justified but this is far from the case.
The CCTV Operator in Payday 2 is out of shape and very slow to act when the player approaches him. Remaining in shape and active whilst on the job is extremely important regardless of the salary as the CCTV Operator is the first line of defence for most establishments. In a society where the average BMI (body mass index) is increasing just being in shape can make a major difference.
Lesson 3: The presence of a trap is much better than an effective one
Undercover security guards. The presence of guards in uniform is a good enough deterrent as it is but just like in Payday 2, it makes them targets to take out or obstacles to avoid thus placing criminals in a situation where they must innovate or give up and their likelihood of success decreases.
In cases where the establishment reveals that they use undercover security guards; or they are legally required to, potential criminals will be left on edge by the idea that they will be seen committing a crime or caught off guard. This will encourage them to stave off the temptation to break the law whilst at that establishment.
Lesson 4: Cast a wide net
A wise man once said never keep all your eggs in one basket. In other words, it’s in your best interests to cover as much of the area as possible when providing security. Much like investing this approach can be very effective. Guards that patrol the area during the bank heist stage are players’ greatest threat as once they are noticed a guard will immediately apprehend them if they do not take him out.
One major mistake players make is that they forget that guards leave the bank frequently and may notice that something is amiss. Since being in the bank is dangerous for players they spend most of their time outside destroying cameras and taking citizens hostage. When security is extended beyond the bank players often feel that they are walking on eggshells and make mistakes as a consequence of this.
In conclusion, there are many things that security guards can learn from Payday 2 and these few don’t even begin to put a dent in what you can learn from on-the-job experience. Whether it’s lesson 1 or 4, being a security guard is not easy and I hope that this reinforces some of the tried and tested principles that come with working in the security industry.
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