Whenever you see a celebrity out in public there always seems to be a muscular man dressed in a smart suit with sunglasses and an earpiece in close proximity.

Unfortunately this is the over-popular glamorised view of the job. Certainly there are celebrities, business leaders, wealthy tycoons, and politicians that need protecting, but in reality this is the tip of the iceberg.

The individuals who get selected to work with the rich and famous will have been on the close protection circuit for many years and will be part of a network with plenty of contacts and connections. For the majority of officers, work is more likely to involve low key assignments with residential security, driving, and looking after large estates being common roles.

As work can be irregular it is often necessary to supplement earnings with other income streams such as door supervision. They will usually be self employed and liable to pay their own tax and National Insurance. The key to obtaining work within the sector is to have had either a military or police background and to have done your training through a reputable provider within the industry. Having the right connections also pays a part in becoming recognised within the network, particularly in the UK where the demand for them is easily outstripped by the supply. Whilst there are rewards for those who make it to the top, there are also downsides.

Being on call 24 hours a day for the principal means that living what many consider to be a 'normal' life is out of the question. Mundane aspects, such as vetting people who have access to the principal (e.g. make-up artists or caterers when looking after an actress), are very similar to the function of a security guard at an office block reception. And finally there is the risk factor. Your role is to protect the principal at all costs which could be an enormous sacrifice to make. Work overseas, especially in the Middle East, is more readily available and although it is not a legal requirement to have an SIA Close Protection licence to work outside of the UK, it is generally recognised that having one will help to open doors to job opportunities.

Unit 1 - Specialist Module

Unit 2 - Conflict Management Module

An SIA licence will additionally enable the holder to carry out the roles of both door supervisor and security guard, so if close protection work does not provide sufficient income to start with there are other options available.

If your training provider has a good reputation within the industry it will mean that they should have connections through which they can point you in the right direction to get work. However this does not mean that they can, or will, fix you up with your first job, and if you have failed to impress them throughout the course (even if you have passed it) then don't expect too many favours.

There are numerous web sites which offer support through forums to anyone involved or interested in the close protection sector, so these are a good starting point with plenty of contributors willing to offer help and opinions. However, unlike the rest of the security market, it is worth bearing in mind that you usually need to be introduced to companies rather than introducing yourself to them.

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