Security Manager (Non-ICT)
SOC 11-1021.00 · ESCO 1219 · OSCA 172934
Role snapshot
Overview
Plans and oversees physical security operations for buildings, events, or organisations, managing guard teams, access control systems, CCTV, and emergency response protocols. Conducts comprehensive risk assessments, develops robust security policies, and implements strategies to protect people, assets, and information from various threats. This role involves both strategic planning and hands-on management of security personnel and technology.
Ensures the safety and security of an organization's physical assets and personnel, mitigating risks and maintaining operational continuity through effective security protocols and emergency preparedness.
On the job
- Develop and implement security policies, procedures, and emergency response plans.
- Manage and supervise security personnel, including scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of access control systems, CCTV, and other physical security technologies.
- Conduct regular security audits, risk assessments, and vulnerability analyses to identify and address potential threats.
- Investigate security incidents, prepare reports, and coordinate with law enforcement as necessary.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
Bachelor's degree in security management, criminal justice, or a related field; relevant certifications are highly valued.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Risk assessments, policy drafting, incident reporting analysis, and system monitoring can be heavily AI-assisted.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
Strategic decision-making, personnel management, complex incident response, and ultimate accountability are beyond end-to-end automation.
Adoption pressure
moderate
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
AI tools for data analysis, threat prediction, and compliance checks offer clear efficiency gains for management tasks.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success depends on leadership, strategic judgment, ethical decision-making, crisis management, and the nuanced management of human and technological resources.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can evolve into broader risk management, cybersecurity management, or high-level security consulting and strategy roles.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Conducting data-driven security risk assessments
- Drafting and updating security policies based on best practices
- Analyzing incident reports for patterns and vulnerabilities
- Optimizing security personnel scheduling and deployment
- Monitoring compliance with security protocols and regulations
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Developing comprehensive security strategies and vision
- Leading and motivating security personnel teams
- Making ethical decisions in complex security scenarios
- Managing crises and coordinating emergency responses
- Negotiating with vendors and stakeholders for security solutions
- Investigating sensitive incidents and ensuring accountability
- Adapting security measures to evolving threat landscapes
How the role may evolve
Data analysis becomes automated. Strategic interpretation and leadership grow in importance.
Security managers will shift from manual data analysis to interpreting AI-generated insights, focusing more on strategic planning, ethical decision-making, and leading human teams in complex security operations.
Strengthen your future fit
- Mastering AI-powered risk assessment and threat intelligence tools
- Developing advanced leadership and team management capabilities
- Strengthening ethical decision-making and crisis management skills
- Cultivating strategic thinking and long-term security planning
- Understanding cybersecurity principles relevant to physical security
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Security Manager (Non-ICT)
Personal & Professional Services
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
enterprising · ECS
People who enjoy leading and influencing others, organising and managing systems, and providing service or support in a structured environment tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly organised and meticulous in developing and enforcing security protocols.
Responsible
Takes ownership of security outcomes and ensures adherence to safety standards.
Decisive
Able to make quick, informed decisions during critical security incidents.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and effectiveness when responding to emergencies or high-stress situations.
Service-oriented
Committed to protecting and assisting others, ensuring a safe environment for all.
Systematic
Prefers clear procedures and structured approaches to managing security operations.
Best for
- Individuals who are highly organised, detail-oriented, and thrive in structured, rule-bound environments.
- Leaders who are decisive and effective under pressure, with a strong commitment to safety and security.
- People who enjoy managing teams and overseeing complex operational systems.
Watch out for
- Requires responding to unforeseen incidents, which can be high-stress and demand quick decision-making.
- Occasional weekend work or on-call duties may be required for emergency response or event coverage.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Security Manager (Non-ICT) — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles
What does a Security Manager (Non-ICT) do?
A Security Manager (Non-ICT) plans and oversees physical security operations for buildings, events, or organisations, managing guard teams, access control systems, CCTV, and emergency response protocols. Conducts comprehensive risk assessments, develops robust security policies, and implements strategies to protect people, assets, and information from various threats. This role involves both strategic planning and hands-on management of security personnel and technology. Ensures the safety and security of an organization's physical assets and personnel, mitigating risks and maintaining operational continuity through effective security protocols and emergency preparedness.
How much does a Security Manager (Non-ICT) earn?
A Security Manager (Non-ICT) earns a median of $110,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
To become a Security Manager (Non-ICT), bachelor's degree in security management, criminal justice, or a related field; relevant certifications are highly valued.
What personality suits a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 85/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 70/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Responsible, Decisive and Calm under pressure. Highly organised and meticulous in developing and enforcing security protocols. On interests, Security Manager (Non-ICT) maps to an ECS Holland Code profile — people who enjoy leading and influencing others, organising and managing systems, and providing service or support in a structured environment tend to thrive in this role.
Who does a Security Manager (Non-ICT) role suit?
A Security Manager (Non-ICT) role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Enterprising and Conventional alignment: the role requires leadership, strategic planning, and systematic organisation. Involves significant responsibility for protecting people and assets, appealing to those with a strong sense of duty. High team interaction and stakeholder exposure suit individuals who enjoy managing and influencing.
What are the downsides of being a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Requires responding to unforeseen incidents, which can be high-stress and demand quick decision-making. Occasional weekend work or on-call duties may be required for emergency response or event coverage.
What is the work environment like for a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
Work as a Security Manager (Non-ICT) is mostly mixed-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 47% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
Core skills for a Security Manager (Non-ICT) include Physical Security Management, Risk Assessment, Emergency Response Planning, Security Operations, Team Leadership and Policy Development.
How do you become a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
Common entry routes into Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles include Security Supervisor, Security Operations Specialist and Assistant Security Manager.
What career progression is there for a Security Manager (Non-ICT)?
From a Security Manager (Non-ICT) role, common next steps include Director of Security and Regional Security Manager; lateral moves include Security Consultant.
What is the job outlook for Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles?
The outlook for Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Security Manager (Non-ICT) roles at 42 out of 100, which is moderate. AI tools will inform risk assessments and policy drafting, but strategic leadership, incident command, and the management of human security teams remain critical. AI is most likely to take on conducting data-driven security risk assessments, drafting and updating security policies based on best practices and analyzing incident reports for patterns and vulnerabilities. Developing comprehensive security strategies and vision, leading and motivating security personnel teams and making ethical decisions in complex security scenarios stay with people. Data analysis becomes automated. Strategic interpretation and leadership grow in importance. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.