What Challenges Security Managers Face While Tackling their Workforce

Key Takeaways

• Many security manager challenges in 2025 are tied to high turnover, scheduling inefficiencies, and compliance risks.
• Security workforce management today demands real-time tools for patrol tracking, scheduling, and proof of service.
• The biggest challenges in managing security guards include absenteeism, SOP drift, and meeting rising client expectations.
• Most security guard scheduling problems can be solved with automation, credential tracking, and overtime caps.

The 2025 Reality: Security Manager Challenges You Can’t Ignore

Security managers today are expected to deliver more with less — fewer supervisors, tighter budgets, and clients who expect real-time updates. Whether you’re running a small local team or managing hundreds of guards across multiple sites, these are the seven security manager challenges you’ll face most often.

1) High Turnover & Absenteeism

One of the biggest challenges in managing security guards is simply keeping them. Turnover rates in security can exceed 100% annually. That means many companies replace their entire guard force every year.

Why this matters:

• Constant recruiting, onboarding, and training cost time and money.
• Frequent staff changes hurt consistency and client trust.

Quick fix: Track early warning signs like repeated lates or last-minute shift cancellations, and pair new hires with an experienced “buddy” guard for their first month.

2) Security Guard Scheduling Problems

From shift swaps to emergency cover, credential expiries to overtime limits — security guard scheduling problems are a daily headache.

Why this matters:

• Double-bookings and compliance violations can lead to fines or SLA breaches.
• Overtime spikes eat into already tight margins.

Quick fix: Use a scheduling system that automatically blocks unlicensed guards from being assigned and alerts managers to potential overtime before it happens.

3) SOP Drift & Communication Overload

A key security workforce management challenge is ensuring guards follow the right procedures every time. SOPs can easily get lost in emails or group chats, leading to inconsistent operations.

Why this matters:

• Site-specific rules may be ignored.
• Incident response can vary depending on who’s on duty.

Quick fix: Keep SOPs in a centralized platform that’s instantly updated and requires guards to acknowledge receipt.

4) Rising Client Expectations

Clients now expect live access to patrol and incident reports, rapid escalation for critical events, and data-backed performance insights. Meeting these expectations is one of the fastest-growing security manager challenges.

Quick fix: Offer client portals so they can view shift logs, patrol coverage, and incident status anytime — without waiting for email updates.

5) Proof-of-Service Pressure

Without GPS-tracked patrols, timestamped logs, or incident media, it’s hard to prove guards were where they should be. This proof-of-work expectation is becoming a baseline in security workforce management.

Quick fix: Adopt guard tour systems with GPS/NFC checkpoints, mobile daily activity reports, and photo/video uploads.

6) Managing Multiple Sites with Limited Staff

In multi-site setups, challenges in managing security guards multiply — especially when one manager oversees several locations.

Quick fix: Use a unified operations dashboard to track patrol completion, missed checkpoints, and open incidents across all sites in real time.

7) Compliance & Safety Risks

From labor laws to licensing, missing a compliance requirement can mean fines or lost contracts, making it one of the most costly security manager challenges.

Quick fix: Automate credential tracking with expiry reminders and block scheduling for non-compliant guards.

A 30–60–90 Day Retention Plan

Days 0–30 — Strong onboarding

• Provide uniforms, equipment, and SOP access from day one
• Assign a buddy guard for the first month
• Set expectations for schedules and responsibilities

Days 31–60 — Build skills and recognition

• Short trainings on communication and incident reporting
• Recognize and reward reliability
• Offer preferred shifts for consistent performers

Days 61–90 — Create career pathways

• Map out advancement options (Team Lead, Control Room, Mobile Patrol)
• Provide stipends for additional certifications
• Schedule regular feedback sessions

The onus of the efficacy of a security team lies with the security manager. From hiring the best security guards to training them and managing the security guard troops, a security manager plays a very crucial role in a security guard company. They are also the higher authority working on the evaluation of security risks and devising strategies to handle emergency situations and security threats. A security manager has to handle a range of challenges while performing their day to day operations. Although the security guard patrol tracking system has aided security managers a lot, they have to deal with different challenges in a unique way.

You will learn:

1. Effective communication with the team members
2. Responsibility to hire, develop and train the guards
3. Ensure high motivation in the team
4. Guaranteeing high performance and accountability
5. Task delegation and management

Let’s discuss the key challenging responsibilities of security managers:

1. Effective communication with the team members

Communication is the key to effective security management and perhaps the key challenge that security managers face every day. It is imperative that security managers have a hold of communication vine in the team and develop a network. Besides enhancing the performance of the team, transparency in communication boosts the level of trust in the team.

2. Responsibility to hire, develop and train the guards

It is the core responsibility of security industry specialists to hire, develop, and train the security guards in the team. Having skilled, trained, and efficient security guards in the team is very important for effective security management. The security manager must not only bring the right talent in the team but ensure that they develop an environment that is nurturing and satisfying for the security guards. As a responsible manager, one should ensure that the guards receive both personal and professional gratification at the workplace.

3. Ensure high motivation in the team

Keeping the team motivated is one of the biggest challenges to handle. If the guards do not feel safe, optimally recognized and rewarded, they will lack motivation which causes poor performance and efficacy.

4. Guaranteeing high performance and accountability

Security guard patrol tracking system has come up as a great tool that allows security managers to track and monitor the performance of the security guards. In fact, the software also allows the managers to make security guards more accountable by offering real-time reporting and geo-fencing. With better monitoring, the security managers are able to make better reports, perform meaningful evaluation, and provide realistic feedback to the security guards.

5. Task delegation and management

High performance cannot be guaranteed without the right delegation of tasks. The security manager is responsible to ensure that the right job is assigned to the right personnel and carried out effectively. The security guard patrol tracking system enables security specialists to schedule guard shifts, respond to incidents reported, and communicate with the security guards at any time, effortlessly.

6. Everchanging Norms and Regulations

One of the biggest challenges security managers face is keeping up with ever-changing norms and regulations. Laws and rules about security can change frequently. And it all depends on where you are located or the type of business you are protecting. For example, new regulations might require additional training for security guards, changes in how incidents are reported, or updated health and safety standards. Keeping up with these changes is not easy. Security managers must stay informed about new laws and make sure their team follows them. If they don’t, their company could face legal issues or fines. It’s a constant effort to ensure that everything is up to date.

7. Maintaining Quality of Security Services

Another big challenge for security managers is maintaining the quality of security services. High-quality security is essential for protecting people, property, and information. However, as the workforce grows or as new security threats emerge, it can be hard to ensure that all guards are performing at their best.

Managers need to understand what challenges a security professional faces so that they can help them. This way they can ensure that the quality of security services is not decreasing. It is the duty of the manager to keep the guard well-trained and ready for any situation.

Strategies for Success for Security Firms

To be successful in the security industry, firms need to have strong strategies in place. Here are some key strategies that can help security firms:

• Invest in Training and Development

One of the most important strategies for a successful security firm is investing in training and development for your guards. Well-trained security personnel are better equipped to handle different situations. Whether it’s dealing with a suspicious person, responding to an emergency, or managing a crowd. Regular training sessions help keep skills sharp and ensure that all guards are up-to-date with the latest security practices and regulations. This way security companies can avoid the challenges of security management.

• Prioritize Employee Well-Being and Retention

Security guards are the backbone of your firm. And their well-being directly impacts the quality of service you provide. Providing a supportive work environment and recognizing employees for their hard work can boost morale and reduce turnover. Happy and well-supported employees are more likely to perform their duties effectively. This will help you to get better outcomes for your clients.

• Utilize Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in modern security operations. Using tools like GPS tracking and security management software can greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your services. For example, using a security guard checkpoint system can help you monitor patrols in real-time and ensure that all areas are being covered properly. Investing in the right technology can give your firm a competitive edge. Any of the security management issues that you might be facing can be cured. With technology, you can manage whole operations with simple clicks.

• Focus on Customer Service

Excellent customer service is key to building strong relationships with clients. Security firms should ensure that their guards not only provide protection but also interact professionally and courteously with clients and the public. Responding quickly to client concerns, being transparent about your processes, and consistently delivering on your promises will help build trust and lead to long-term partnerships.

Tools That Solve Security Manager Challenges

1. Smart Scheduling — Fixes most security guard scheduling problems by embedding rules for credentials, overtime, and breaks.
2. Guard Tour Tracking — GPS/NFC checkpoints and real-time alerts.
3. Mobile Incident Reporting — Templates with photo/video uploads.
4. Credential Compliance Tracker — Expiry alerts and schedule blocks.
5. Unified Ops Dashboard — One screen for all sites.

Novagems gets you all of these features in one single software that will optimize your security services. Get a free trial to get to know the software and see for yourself!

Conclusion

You need to take care of your employees just as they are taking care of your clients. Retaining top talent in the security industry is very important as security guards might get more good opportunities. The success of any security company depends in the hands of its security guards. If they are performing well, then you can focus on closing more security contracts and not on what challenges a security professional faces.

Security managers are also responsible for managing the workforce, retaining the guards, and responding to security incidents. With the help of the best security guard patrol tracking system as well as self-developed skills, security managers can ensure effective services.