Quick answer: Professional security guards protect your workplace by deterring theft and vandalism, responding to incidents in seconds instead of minutes, and keeping staff and visitors safe. In British Columbia, every guard must hold a provincial security worker licence. Hiring a licensed company gives you trained, accountable people on site, not just a camera that records what went wrong.
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At a glance
- Guards prevent and stop incidents. Cameras and alarms mostly record or report them.
- Police-reported shoplifting in Canada rose 11% in 2025, to 208,941 incidents (Statistics Canada).
- BC employers must assess and reduce the risk of violence wherever staff deal with the public (WorkSafeBC).
- Every security guard working in BC needs a BC licence, and you can verify one online in under a minute.
Theft, vandalism, an angry customer who refuses to leave, a break-in at 3 a.m. Most business owners in the Lower Mainland have dealt with at least one of these. The real question isn’t whether something will happen. It’s who will be there when it does.
That’s where professional security guards come in. A trained guard gives you more than peace of mind. They make your business a safer place for staff to work, for customers to shop and for visitors to walk through the door.
Below, we cover what guards actually do, the benefits for your workplace, how they compare with cameras and alarms, and what to check before you hire.
What Do Professional Security Guards Do at a Workplace?
A guard’s job goes well beyond standing by the front door. Depending on your site, professional security guards typically:
- Control access: checking ID, signing in visitors and contractors, and keeping restricted areas restricted.
- Patrol the property: walking the site inside and out, looking for open doors, damaged locks, hazards and anything out of place.
- Watch cameras and alarms: and act on what they see, often alongside CCTV monitoring services.
- Respond to incidents: from a medical emergency to a shoplifter to a fire alarm.
- De-escalate conflict: calming aggressive or intoxicated people before things turn physical.
- Write incident reports: clear, timed records your insurer, landlord or police can use.
- Support staff: handling opening and lock-up, and walking employees to their cars after late shifts.
Some businesses need a guard at one post for the whole shift, known as a static guard. Others are better served by mobile patrol security, where a guard checks the property several times a night. A good security company will tell you honestly which one fits your site and budget.
8 Benefits of Hiring Professional Security Guards
1. Faster response when something goes wrong
A guard on site can take control of a situation before police arrive. That could be an aggressive customer, a suspicious package or a full building evacuation. A trained officer stays calm and acts, and a quick response often means no one else needs to be called at all.
2. A visible deterrent to theft and vandalism
Most opportunistic criminals look for easy targets, and a uniformed guard changes that math fast. With police-reported shoplifting up 11% across Canada in 2025, according to Statistics Canada, retailers are feeling it most. Our loss prevention officers focus on stopping theft before it walks out the door.
3. Order and calm at your workplace
For customers and staff alike, a guard is the first line of authority on your property. If someone is causing a disturbance or needs to be escorted off the premises quietly, a trained person is right there to handle it. People also tend to follow site rules more closely when security is around.
4. Safer staff and lower risk of workplace violence
In BC, employers have a legal duty to protect workers from violence wherever they deal with the public. WorkSafeBC requires a risk assessment and, where a risk exists, a violence prevention program. Professional security guards are one of the most practical controls you can add, especially for late shifts, front counters and people who work alone.
5. Problems caught early
Guards notice what busy staff walk past: a propped-open fire door, a leak in the parkade, a vehicle that has sat too long. Catching these early saves money and downtime. A security risk assessment shows exactly where those weak spots are.
6. A better first impression for visitors
A friendly guard at reception is often the first person a visitor meets. Good concierge security welcomes people, answers questions and keeps the lobby organized, while still watching who comes and goes.
7. Clear reports and evidence
When something happens, a written report with times, descriptions and photos makes insurance claims and police follow-ups much easier. A camera shows what happened. A guard’s report explains it.
8. Peace of mind for owners and managers
You can’t be on site around the clock. With trained guards covering your property, you can focus on running the business instead of waiting for the next 2 a.m. alarm call.
Professional Security Guards vs. Cameras and Alarms
Cameras and alarms are useful, but they work best alongside people, not instead of them. Here’s how the three compare:
| What it does | Security guards | CCTV cameras | Alarm system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deters crime | Strong: visible and able to step in | Moderate: visible, can’t intervene | Low to moderate |
| Stops an incident in progress | Yes | No | No, alerts someone else |
| Response time | Immediate, already on site | Depends on who is watching | Minutes, depending on dispatch |
| Handles people (de-escalation, escorts) | Yes | No | No |
| Incident reports | Written, with context | Footage only | Event log only |
| Spots hazards like leaks or open doors | Yes | Sometimes | Only if a sensor trips |
| Best for | Staffed, busy or higher-risk sites | Recording and remote viewing | After-hours intrusion alerts |
For most workplaces, the strongest setup uses all three: cameras and alarms as the eyes and ears, and professional security guards as the people who act on what they see. For a deeper look, read our comparison of Vancouver security guards vs CCTV.
Which Workplaces Need Professional Security Guards?
Any business with people, stock or valuable equipment can benefit. And the need isn’t limited to downtown Vancouver. BC’s Crime Severity Index was 92.4 in 2025, well above the national 75.0, and the province’s violent crime severity rose 2.2%, according to Statistics Canada.
Across the Lower Mainland, we see the most demand from:
- Offices and corporate buildings: access control, reception and after-hours lock-up with corporate office security.
- Retail stores and malls: theft prevention and handling difficult customers with retail security services.
- Warehouses and industrial sites: perimeter patrols and vehicle checks with warehouse security and industrial security.
- Construction sites: protecting tools, materials and equipment overnight with construction site security.
- Hotels: guest safety and lobby presence with hotel security guards.
- Strata and condo buildings: concierge, parkade patrols and package-room checks with strata and condominium security.
- Campuses and financial institutions: see campus security and financial institution security.
How to Choose Professional Security Guards in BC
Not every security company works to the same standard. Before you sign a contract, check these seven things:
- Valid BC licences. Every guard needs a BC security worker licence, and the company needs a security business licence. A licence from another province doesn’t count here. You can check any guard or company with the province’s free security licence lookup.
- Security is their core business. A company that only does security tends to train, supervise and schedule guards better than one that bolts security onto cleaning or facilities work.
- Customer focus. Your guards will work beside your staff every day. They need strong communication skills and should fit your workplace, not just fill a shift.
- Training beyond the licence. Ask about first aid, de-escalation, report writing and site-specific orientation.
- Supervision and reporting. Who checks on the guards? How fast do incident reports reach you? Is there a 24/7 contact line?
- Insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage. Ask for proof of liability insurance and WorkSafeBC registration before the first shift.
- Local knowledge. A company that knows Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby understands the risks specific to your area.
Hiring professional security guards from a licensed, local company protects you as much as it protects your property. BC’s Security Programs Division regulates the industry and enforces these rules. For a longer checklist, read what to look for when choosing a security service.
Professional Security Guards in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Securiway Security is a Vancouver security company providing licensed, trained guards to businesses across the Lower Mainland, 24 hours a day. Our officers have protected clients in industries from sport to politics, and every one of them is licensed to work in BC.
We serve Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford and the rest of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
If you want an affordable way to protect your workplace with professional security guards, talk to our team today. Call (604) 757-3331 or request a free quote. You can also learn more about our security guard services.
Securiway Security · 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K4 · (604) 757-3331 · info@securiway.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Do security guards in BC need a licence?
Yes. Anyone doing security guard work in BC must hold a valid BC security worker licence, and the company must hold a security business licence. Licences from other provinces aren’t valid in BC. You can verify any licence with the province’s online lookup tool.
How much do professional security guards cost in Vancouver?
Most companies charge per guard, per hour. The rate depends on the number of hours, how many guards you need, the risk level of the site and extra duties like concierge or fire watch. Part-time and short-term security can lower the cost. The fastest way to get an exact price is a free site assessment and quote.
What’s the difference between a static guard and mobile patrol?
A static guard stays at your site for the whole shift. A mobile patrol officer drives between properties and makes scheduled or random checks. Patrols cost less, while a static guard gives you constant coverage.
Are security guards better than security cameras?
They do different jobs. Cameras record what happens; guards prevent incidents and respond when they happen. Most workplaces get the best results by using both together.
Can a security guard remove someone from my property?
A guard can ask a trespasser to leave on the owner’s behalf and escort them off the premises. Their legal powers are limited, so a well-trained guard relies on de-escalation and calls police when a situation needs it.
Can I get security guards on short notice?
Yes. Securiway offers 24/7 emergency security services across the Lower Mainland when you need guards on site fast.
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