Haryana BSEH Senior Secondary NSQF Private Security cheat sheet
Haryana BSEH Senior Secondary NSQF Private Security · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Introduction to the Private Security Sector and Career Pathways
Private security in India is regulated under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PSARA); agencies need a licence from the State Controlling Authority.
The sector's core functions are manned guarding, electronic surveillance, cash and valuables logistics, event security, and facility management support.
PSARA sets minimum training hours for security guards (about 100 hours classroom plus 60 hours field training) and supervisors (about 120 plus 60 hours).
Career ladder: Security Guard → Head Guard/Supervisor → Shift In-charge → Security Officer → Assistant Security Manager → Security Manager → Chief Security Officer.
Adjacent pathways include CCTV monitoring, control-room operations, fire safety, executive protection, loss prevention, and security auditing.
Growth drivers: real estate and malls, IT campuses, hospitals, banks, logistics hubs, metro and transport infrastructure, and large public events.
A guard's legal status is that of a private employee; police powers (arrest, search, FIR) do not transfer to private security personnel.
PSARA requires verification of antecedents for guards and supervisors, and agencies must maintain records of training and deployment.
Security Guard Roles, Duties, Conduct and Professional Ethics
Core duties: access control, patrol, observation and reporting, emergency first response, key and asset custody, and customer assistance.
A guard's authority is limited to the property and the contractual terms of deployment; off-post action requires a lawful basis or emergency justification.
Conduct rules: correct uniform and ID, punctuality and proper handover, no sleeping, drinking, smoking, or mobile-phone use on duty.
Honesty rules: never accept bribes or gifts that could influence access decisions, and declare any conflict of interest to the supervisor.
Confidentiality: visitor data, CCTV footage, and client business information are disclosed only to authorised persons.
Use of force must be proportionate and only in lawful self-defence or defence of persons/property; restraint is preferred over force.
Escalation rule: observe → report to control room/supervisor → act only within training and written post orders.
Handover protocol: log entries, key counts, incident status, equipment condition, and pending instructions passed in writing.
Physical Security, Access Control and Perimeter Protection
Defence-in-depth layers: perimeter → building envelope → interior zones → high-value assets; each layer adds delay and detection.
Perimeter elements: walls, fencing, bollards, gates, lighting, CCTV, intrusion alarms, and clear zones free of cover.
Access control triad: identify (ID check) → authenticate (photo match, biometric, PIN) → authorise (permission list or visitor pass).
Three access-control types: something you know (PIN), something you have (card), something you are (biometric); combining two is multi-factor.
Tailgating and piggybacking are prevented by turnstiles, mantraps, one-person-per-swipe rules, and staff challenge.
Visitor management: identity record, purpose, host name, badge issue, escort rule, and exit time recorded.
Key control: numbered keys, issue register with signature, no unauthorised duplication, and periodic audit.
Search rules: vehicle and baggage checks at designated points, same-sex search of persons, and refusal handled by denial of entry, not force.
Observation, Surveillance, Reporting and Documentation
Observation is purposeful attention to detail (people, vehicles, objects, behaviour); surveillance is sustained observation over time.
Baseline rule: know what is normal for the site so anomalies (unusual time, route, dress, package, vehicle) stand out.
Description discipline: note height, build, age range, clothing, marks, direction of travel, vehicle type and number, and time.
Report types: occurrence log, incident report, daily activity report (DAR), visitor register, key register, and shift handover.
Incident report content: what, where, when, who, how, action taken, witnesses, and signature with date and time.
Writing rules: factual, first person, past tense, no opinion or speculation, no blank spaces, no correction fluid-strike through and initial errors.
CCTV monitoring: keep camera map, log camera faults, follow privacy rules, and export footage with a hash/time-stamp note for evidence.
Evidence handling: preserve scene, do not alter items, record chain of custody, and hand over to police with acknowledgment.
Emergency Response, Fire Safety and First Aid
Fire triangle: fuel + oxygen + heat; removal of any one side extinguishes fire. Fire classes: A solid, B liquid, C gas, D metal, E electrical, F cooking oil.
Extinguisher use (PASS): Pull pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side; never use water on electrical or oil fires.
Fire evacuation: raise alarm, call fire service, switch off power where safe, use stairs not lifts, assemble at muster point, head count.
DRSABCD first aid sequence: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillator.
CPR for adults: compressions at 100–120 per minute, depth 5–6 cm, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
Severe bleeding: direct pressure, elevate if possible, pressure bandage, tourniquet only for life-threatening limb bleeding.
Burns: cool with running water for about 20 minutes, remove jewellery, do not burst blisters, do not apply oil or toothpaste.
Emergency response sequence: assess safety → alert → contain/isolate → assist within training → hand over to emergency services → record.
Crowd Management, Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness
Crowd density guide: up to 2 persons/m² is comfortable, 4–5 persons/m² is critical, above 6 risks crowd collapse.
Crowd risks: bottlenecks at gates and stairs, counterflow, panic, crushing against barriers, and lost children.
Crowd control tools: queue barriers, one-way flow, staggered entry, capacity counting, PA announcements, and visible stewarding.
Evacuation principles: clear exits, exit signage, emergency lighting, assembly point, roll call, and no re-entry until cleared.
Disaster types: natural (earthquake, flood, storm, fire) and man-made (bomb threat, arson, chemical leak, stampede).
Bomb threat protocol: record exact words, time and caller details, inform control room and police, do not touch suspicious objects, evacuate to a safe distance.
Earthquake response: drop, cover, hold; after shaking, evacuate using stairs and check for gas leaks and structural damage.
Drill discipline: documented mock drills at planned frequency, timed evacuation, debrief, and correction of identified gaps.
Legal Framework, Statutory Duties and Limits of Authority
PSARA 2005 governs licensing, training and conduct of private security agencies; State Controlling Authorities administer it.
Private guards are not police officers: they cannot register FIRs, investigate crimes, or exercise police powers of search and arrest.
Citizen's arrest (CrPC s.43 / BNSS s.35) is limited to a person in a non-bailable, cognizable offence or a proclaimed offender; hand over to police without delay.
Private defence (IPC s.96–106 / BNS s.34–44) permits proportionate force to protect body or property, never retaliation.
Detention of a suspected thief is only for handing over to police; confinement, assault, or forced confession is itself an offence.
Right to privacy: searching persons, checking phones, or publishing CCTV images is restricted; follow written policy and same-sex search rules.
Women's safety: the POSH Act, 2013 requires an Internal Committee at workplaces with 10 or more employees; guards support reporting, not adjudication.
Labour and welfare: minimum wages, PF/ESI where applicable, working-hour limits, and no child labour under 14 (Child Labour Act).
Communication Skills, Customer Service and Interpersonal Behaviour
Communication model: sender → message → channel → receiver → feedback, with noise reducing clarity.
Listening: active listening uses eye contact, paraphrasing, and clarifying questions; it precedes any access decision dispute.
Radio/telephone discipline: identify self and post, state message briefly, use phonetic alphabet for letters, confirm receipt.
Service standard: greet, verify, assist, and close politely; use 'may I help you' and avoid confrontation language.
De-escalation: lower voice, keep safe distance, avoid touching, acknowledge feelings, offer options, involve supervisor early.
Complaint handling: listen fully, record facts, apologise for inconvenience (not fault), escalate within defined time.
Barriers: language, noise, jargon, prejudice, and stress; use simple words, written notes, or a translator.
Non-verbal cues: posture, uniform neatness, and calm expression influence compliance more than volume.
Workplace Safety, Health, Hygiene and Environmental Awareness
Personal protective equipment: helmet, safety shoes, reflective jacket, gloves, ear plugs, and eye protection as the task requires.
Manual handling: lift with bent knees, straight back, load close to body, no twisting; use trolleys for heavy loads.
Electrical safety: no wet hands, no overloading sockets, report exposed wiring, and do not open panels without authorisation.
Hygiene: hand washing, clean drinking water, clean toilets, waste segregation, and safe food storage in the guard room.
Environmental duties: segregate dry/wet/hazardous waste, save water and power, report spills, and prevent open burning.
Occupational health: shift fatigue, heat stress, and night-duty sleep effects; hydration and rotation reduce risk.
Incident reporting: near misses are reported like accidents; first aid boxes checked and restocked.
Fire safety housekeeping: keep exits, hydrants, and extinguishers unobstructed; no storage under staircases.
Security Equipment, ICT Tools and Modern Technology Awareness
CCTV types: dome (indoor discrete), bullet (long range), PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom), IP (network) vs analogue; resolution measured in megapixels.
Recording: DVR for analogue, NVR for IP; retention typically 30–90 days; check date/time sync and storage health.
Access control hardware: RFID/proximity cards, biometric readers (fingerprint, face, iris), electromagnetic locks, turnstiles, and door contacts.
Detection systems: PIR motion sensors, door/window contacts, vibration sensors, glass-break detectors, and perimeter beams.
Handheld tools: metal detector (walk-through and handheld), X-ray baggage scanner, explosive trace detector, under-vehicle mirror.
Communication: two-way radio, body-worn camera, GPS tracking for patrol, and panic button linked to control room.
Cyber basics: strong unique passwords, no sharing of CCTV credentials, beware phishing emails and USB devices, report lost devices.
Digital tools: e-visitor management, incident reporting apps, biometric attendance, and cloud-based video analytics.
Employability Skills, Entrepreneurship and Digital Literacy
Employability skills: communication, teamwork, problem solving, time management, digital literacy, and customer orientation.
Résumé essentials: contact details, verified experience, training certificates (PSARA, fire, first aid), and references.
Interview preparation: know the site type and client, dress formally, and answer scenario questions using the observe-report-act structure.
Entrepreneurship route: PSARA agency licence requires minimum capital, verified antecedents, trained staff, and a registered office.
Small security business services: guarding contracts, housekeeping-security combos, CCTV installation, and event stewarding.
Digital literacy: email etiquette, online form filling, digital payments (UPI), e-KYC, and using government portals (MSME, GST, EPFO).
Financial basics: costing per guard (wages + PF/ESI + uniform + relief factor), invoicing, GST registration thresholds.
Digital safety for business: protect client data, back up records, and use official channels for statutory filings.