Occupation · SOC 11-3013.01
Security Managers
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Median wage
$104,690
$62,550–$173,080
Projected growth
+3.8%
Average growth
Annual openings
570
per year
Employed (US)
141,090
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,101 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessSpeaking
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Alarm system softwareAmazon Web Services AWS softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteEmergency notification system softwareFacebookFieldSoft AIMSonSceneFirewall softwareGraphics softwareHuman resources management system HRMSIncident command system ICS softwareInventory tracking softwareMaintenance management softwareMapping softwareMcAfeeMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordNortonLifeLock cybersecurity softwareOperating system softwareOracle PeopleSoftPayroll softwarePhysical access management softwarePlatform as a service PaaSSAP softwareTwitterWeb browser softwareWork scheduling software
Representative tasks
Develop budgets for security operations.Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches.Plan, direct, or coordinate security activities to safeguard company employees, guests, or others on
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Security protocols and procedures — follow and apply under direct supervisor guidance during daily patrol and access control operations at a commercial facility.Security incident reports — draft and submit using standard templates after observing or responding to minor breaches on company property.Emergency response procedures — recognize and initiate correct protocols for fire alarms, medical emergencies, or intrusion alerts under senior manager direction.Security operations budgets — assist in tracking and recording expenditures using office suite software under close oversight from a department manager.Risk identification checklists — complete and document potential vulnerabilities during routine facility walkthroughs as directed by a supervisor.Security standards and policy documents — read, comprehend, and apply existing guidelines when carrying out assigned post duties in an organizational setting.Facilities management software — navigate and enter basic data to log security events and personnel schedules under instruction from experienced staff.Security team communications — listen actively and relay accurate information to colleagues and supervisors during shift briefings and radio exchanges.Personnel resource assignments — support scheduling tasks by tracking officer availability and shift coverage using provided human resources software tools.Security audit observations — collect and organize data for review cycles by documenting inspection findings under the guidance of a senior security manager.
developing
Security breach investigations — identify, document, and resolve moderately complex incidents by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses with limited supervisory oversight at a mid-sized organization.Emergency contingency plans — participate in planning exercises and contribute operational input to emergency management documents for a corporate or hospitality facility.Security operations budgets — prepare routine budget proposals and monitor spending against approved allocations using management software in a departmental setting.Risk assessments — conduct structured evaluations of physical and procedural vulnerabilities and recommend corrective actions to management based on established frameworks.Security policies and procedures — draft updated standard operating procedures in response to identified gaps and submit for leadership review and approval.Security personnel — coordinate daily assignments, provide on-the-job guidance, and evaluate officer performance across assigned shifts at a single-site operation.Incident response activities — lead initial response to alarms, threats, and medical emergencies by applying practiced protocols and coordinating with external agencies when needed.Network security and access control systems — configure and monitor VPN and facilities management software to maintain perimeter integrity across organizational IT and physical environments.Security audit findings — analyze results of periodic reviews and present written recommendations for operational improvements to department leadership.Stakeholder communications — coordinate clearly with law enforcement, HR, and facility management teams through written and verbal channels to resolve security concerns efficiently.
proficient
Security operations — plan, direct, and coordinate all site safety activities autonomously to safeguard employees, guests, and assets across a complex multi-function facility.Security breaches and investigations — lead thorough investigations of significant incidents, applying deductive and inductive reasoning to resolve cases and prevent recurrence.Comprehensive risk mitigation plans — assess organizational exposure across physical, personnel, and cyber domains and develop detailed response and recovery frameworks independently.Emergency management programs — design and lead contingency planning cycles, tabletop exercises, and live drills that align with legal requirements and industry best practices.Security budgets — develop, justify, and manage full departmental budgets by analyzing operational data and aligning resource requests with organizational strategic priorities.Security standards and policy systems — author, implement, and enforce enterprise-level security policies that integrate regulatory compliance, public safety law, and organizational values.Security technology infrastructure — evaluate, procure, and oversee implementation of network security, surveillance, and communications server solutions across organizational facilities.Personnel development — design training programs using adult learning strategies to build competency across security staff in emergency response, legal authority, and threat assessment.Security audits and systems evaluations — lead end-to-end audit cycles, synthesize findings across multiple risk categories, and drive measurable improvements in security posture.Cross-functional incident coordination — serve as primary security liaison with executive leadership, legal counsel, and external agencies during high-stakes incidents requiring complex decision making.
advanced
Enterprise security strategy — set long-range direction for organizational security programs across multiple sites or business units, aligning objectives with executive leadership and board-level governance.Organizational risk posture — lead enterprise-wide risk assessments, establish tolerance thresholds, and institutionalize a culture of proactive threat identification and mitigation across all departments.Security policy and regulatory frameworks — establish authoritative standards and governance structures that satisfy public safety law, industry regulations, and international compliance requirements.Security budget portfolio — secure and allocate multi-year capital and operational funding by presenting evidence-based cases to C-suite executives and finance committees.Emergency and crisis management leadership — direct organizational response to large-scale crises by commanding cross-functional teams and interfacing with government and media stakeholders under extreme pressure.Security leadership pipeline — mentor and develop managers and senior specialists through structured coaching, succession planning, and targeted learning strategies that build organizational capability.Technology and innovation roadmap — evaluate emerging security technologies and lead enterprise adoption of advanced surveillance, analytics, and cybersecurity tools to future-proof organizational defenses.Interagency and external partnerships — cultivate strategic relationships with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, industry associations, and vendors to enhance organizational security intelligence and response capacity.Security performance and accountability systems — design and implement organizational metrics, audit frameworks, and continuous improvement processes that hold all levels of security leadership accountable for outcomes.Organizational resilience programs — lead development and integration of business continuity, crisis communications, and workforce safety programs that ensure operational endurance across catastrophic incident scenarios.
Also known as
38 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Chief Security Officer (CSO)Cloud Security ManagerCorporate Physical Security SupervisorCorporate Security DirectorCorporate Security ManagerGlobal Security ManagerIndustrial Security SpecialistInternal Security ManagerIS Security Manager (Information Systems Security Manager)Judicial Office Security DirectorMuseum Security ChiefPhysical Security ManagerPhysical Security Systems ManagerRegional Security ManagerSafety ManagerSafety System Support ManagerSecurity Account ManagerSecurity and Surveillance ManagerSecurity DirectorSecurity Field SupervisorSecurity Guard SupervisorSecurity Infrastructure ManagerSecurity Management DirectorSecurity ManagerSecurity Officer Site SupervisorSecurity Officer SupervisorSecurity Operations Manager (Security Ops Manager)Security Program ManagerSecurity Project Manager (Security PM)Security Services ManagerSecurity Shift ManagerSecurity Shift SupervisorSecurity Site ManagerSecurity Site SupervisorSecurity SpecialistSecurity SupervisorSpecial Security Operations Program ManagerTransportation Security Manager