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View this pageSIA role guide
Security Guard vs Door Supervisor vs Close Protection
Understand the practical and licensing differences between security guarding, door supervision and close protection.
- Choose by duties, not job title
- Understand licence integration
- Verify the right licence before deployment
Security guarding
A security-guard licence covers contracted guarding of premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour. It does not make the holder a door supervisor or close-protection operative.
Door supervision
A door-supervisor licence applies to guarding licensed premises against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour. A door-supervisor licence also covers licensable security-guarding activity.
Close protection
A close-protection licence applies when guarding one or more people against physical assault or injury. It also allows the holder to perform licensable door-supervision and security-guarding activity.
CCTV is a separate scope question
A public-space-surveillance CCTV licence can be required where CCTV is used to monitor the public to guard against disorder or protect people. Limited CCTV use for guarding property or detecting trespass can fall within the integrated permissions described by the SIA. Do not assume that any guard can monitor any CCTV for any purpose.
In-house and contracted work
SIA licensing normally applies where work is supplied under a contract for services and involves licensable activity. In-house security guarding is usually exempt, but in-house door supervision at licensed premises remains licensable. The current SIA activity guidance should be checked for the precise circumstances.
How buyers should choose
- Start with exact duties, not a preferred licence title.
- Identify whether the premises is licensed and when licensable activities occur.
- Separate property protection from personal protection.
- Identify CCTV, keyholding and supervisory duties.
- Verify the relevant licence on the SIA public register.
- Put role boundaries and escalation routes into the assignment instructions.
The public SIA register allows a buyer to check an individual’s licence status and role before hiring or deployment.
Frequently asked questions
Can a door supervisor work as a security guard?
Yes. The SIA integrates security-guarding activity into the door-supervisor licence.
Can a security guard work on the door of a licensed venue?
A security-guard licence alone does not cover licensable door-supervision activity at licensed premises.
Can a close-protection operative work as a door supervisor?
The close-protection licence integrates door-supervision and security-guarding activity, although the assignment must still be properly planned and managed.
Do all event stewards need licences?
No. Directing people and providing information may be non-licensable. Security enforcement duties can make the role licensable.
Does an SIA licence guarantee service quality?
No. It shows that the individual meets the licensing baseline. Buyers should also assess supervision, assignment instructions, reporting, insurance and supplier due diligence.
Match the role to the work
Tell us what must be protected, where the work takes place and what the operative must do.