03/20/2026
Security Is Not a Lazy Person’s Job—But Too Many People Still Think It Is
There are three types of people when it comes to understanding security.
1️⃣ The ones who understand it.
They know security means constant responsibility—logbooks, access control, screenings, monitoring systems, and responding to incidents.
2️⃣ The ones who don’t care because it doesn’t affect them… or so they think.
Imagine one officer responsible for monitoring millions of dollars in property and equipment overnight.
Now imagine no one checking that property for 14–16 hours a day.
How much damage could happen?
Theft.
Vandalism.
Sabotage.
Suddenly security matters.
3️⃣ The ones who understand the title “security”… but have no idea what the job actually requires.
Too many people believe security is a lazy job because of the stereotype of someone asleep with their feet up.
Does that happen?
Yes.
But it happens in every profession.
Nurses fall asleep at stations.
Police officers fall asleep in vehicles.
Gas station attendants fall asleep.
Night shift workers everywhere struggle with fatigue.
Someone dozing off is a mistake and a failure of responsibility, but it does not define an entire profession.
Now ask yourself this:
Would you rather someone doze for 30 minutes in their patrol vehicle…
Or have a surgeon make a mistake during surgery?
Or an accountant ruin your taxes?
Every profession requires skill.
Security is no different.
Yet in the United States, security professionals are often looked down upon.
From the officer watching a gate…
To the operator monitoring surveillance systems…
To executive protection professionals…
Too many organizations treat security like it’s replaceable labor instead of a professional responsibility.
Here’s the truth:
People will come for the paycheck.
But they stay because they feel valued and respected.
And there’s another truth many companies don’t want to hear:
If your security team is making less than fast-food workers, why would they risk their safety protecting your property?
There’s a saying in business:
You get what you pay for.
In the security profession, that statement plays out every single day.
Security professionals must also start doing something important:
Respecting our own profession and demanding that respect from others.
Because security is not a placeholder job.
It’s a responsibility.
And it’s time more organizations started treating it that way
