The Security Guard
Does anyone grow up with the intent to become a security guard? I’m sure some people do, but how many? Is every security guard working their dream job, or is it just something that can put food on the table?
Those are questions Andrew asked himself as he filled out his application for overnight security at a local apartment. Truthfully, Andrew never saw himself being a security guard, however he noticed that the position had decent pay and did not require many prerequisites. Andrew thought back to all the times he felt safe due to the presence of security guards, and wondered if he had a false sense of security. He pondered, “what makes someone a good security guard?“. “Well I guess an apartment doesn’t require military level protection, so maybe an alert person with some training is all that’s necessary. I mean that would deter someone at best, and at worst the guard can call the police for backup.”
Andrew had heard a lot about cybersecurity in past years as it seemed that everyone had been talking about it or trying to get into the industry. Given Andrew’s recent breakthrough on what security requires, he began to think about cybersecurity and if it was worth pursuing. He decided he would study while working his overnight security job and eventually figured out that many concepts overlapped. The right amount of security is “just enough” security. In the digital world, users require security but they hate when it makes life harder. In the real world, Andrew noticed the same thing. Complaints about the security gate were never ending as residents were torn between having a secure living space and quick entry and exit of that living space.
As Andrew continued his studies in cybersecurity, he found the answer to his initial question. Does anyone grow up with the intent to become a security guard? Maybe not, but everyone will become one someday. We all protect things daily whether it is our data, our children, our parents, or our homes. A security guard is just a transference of risk. In Andrew’s case, everyone at the apartment complex can sleep peacefully at night while he watches the complex. When Andrew’s shift is over, the people of the apartment complex are head of their own security again.