Security, discerned.
Security guard, private investigator & home security guides — from someone who’s worked the job
Straight answers on getting licensed, building a career in security or investigations, and protecting your own home. Written from years on the door, on protection details, in loss prevention and on surveillance cases — and checked against official sources.
Short answer: Security Dogma is a reference site for working security professionals. It tells you what each state requires to get licensed, which gear is worth carrying, and how to move up in the field. It is written by a security professional and built to be read on your phone between tasks.
Start with what you need
I’m a security guard, or want to be. Guard licensing is set state by state: age, training hours, fees, fingerprinting and who regulates you all differ. Start at security guard licensing by state, then read how to become a security guard for the first-post basics. If you have a record, check security guard with a criminal record before you pay for anything.
I’m a private investigator, or want to be. PI licensing is a separate system with its own boards, experience requirements and exams. Start with the private investigator license index, then the PI career guide and the PI salary guide.
I’m choosing a career path. The security careers guide compares guard, loss prevention, bodyguard, bouncer, investigator and more, with the requirements and trade-offs of each.
I’m protecting my own home. The home safety section covers practical equipment and what is worth buying, with no sales calls or installer quotes.
What you will find
| Section | What’s inside | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & Training | State-by-state requirements, legal limits on detaining, force and badges | Licensing |
| Careers | How to enter and advance across security jobs | Careers |
| Gear | Radios, body cameras, technology and field equipment | Security guard gear |
| Resources | Incident report and daily activity report templates | Resources |
| Private Investigators | Licensing, careers and pay for investigators | PI hub |
Good places to start
- Security guard training changes (2027)
- Body camera buyer’s guide
- Two-way radios
- De-escalation for security guards
- Can security guards detain people?
- Incident report template
How this site works
Licensing facts come from state boards and statutes, and each guide names what it was verified against. Gear picks list specs from the manufacturer, and the site marks which notes come from real field use. Some links are affiliate links, and the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full editorial policy.
Legal information on this site is general education, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and employer.
Legal disclaimer: This page is for general information and education only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Security Dogma is not a law firm. Laws, licensing rules and court decisions vary by state and change often, and what is written here may not match your situation or be current when you read it. Before you act on anything here, check the official rules from your state licensing agency, follow your employer’s and client site’s policies, and talk to a licensed attorney in your state for legal questions. See our Terms and Conditions and how facts are checked in our Editorial Policy.
Find what you need
Pick your path. Whether you guard a post, work surveillance cases or just want your own home to be harder to break into, start here.
Security Guards
License requirements in all 50 states, training, use of force, de-escalation and the law on detaining people.
Private Investigators
How to become a PI, license requirements in every state, and the surveillance gear that wins cases.
Home Security
Secure doors, sliding doors and garages, choose alarms and cameras, and stop package theft. For owners and renters.
Security Careers
Every path in security: guard, bouncer, bodyguard, loss prevention and investigator, with pay and next steps.
Gear & Equipment
Picks for guards, investigators and homeowners: radios, cameras, flashlights, locks and alarms.
Free Forms
Free daily activity report, patrol log, pass-down log and incident report templates.
Essential guides
- 01LicensingCalifornia Guard Card Requirements: Training, Fees & How to Apply→
- 02LicensingCan Security Guards Detain You? What the Law Actually Allows→
- 03InvestigatorsHow to Become a Private Investigator→
- 04Home SecurityHow to Secure Your Home: The Complete Guide→
- 05CareersHow to Become a Security Guard: Steps, Requirements & Pay→
- 06Home SecurityWhere Burglars Look First (and Where to Hide Valuables Instead)→
Meet the author
Written by someone who’s done the job
I’m Yair Arad. My career started in the military and moved into private security: armed and unarmed posts, executive protection, nightclub and venue security, and loss prevention. I also ran my own private investigation firm, working surveillance cases. Since 2016 I’ve also worked in IT operations, enforcing security controls and compliance. Security Dogma is where I share what actually works on the ground — not textbook theory.
New to security? Start here.
The step-by-step guide to becoming a security guard: requirements, training, getting hired and what the job is really like.