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Armed Security Guard Course
More than 2 million students worldwide

Armed Security Guard Course

4.9

Get the knowledge and hands-on skills required to work as a licensed armed security operative. This course covers firearm safety, use-of-force law, threat assessment, defensive tactics, and patrol procedures from the ground up. Whether you are entering the security field or upgrading your credentials, this training prepares you to perform with confidence and legal authority.

Dedika for businesses

What you will learn:

This course gives you a complete foundation in armed security work, starting with licensing requirements and professional standards. You will study use-of-force law, learning exactly when and how lethal force is legally justified. Firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, and defensive shooting techniques are covered in detail, including low-light scenarios and malfunction clearance. You will also develop threat recognition skills, empty-hand defensive tactics, and weapon retention methods. Patrol procedures, access control, incident report writing, and emergency medical response round out your training. By the end, you will be prepared to pass your qualification course and step into an armed security role ready to perform.

How you study in practice Armed Security Guard Course

How you practise Armed Security Guard Course

For businesses looking to train their team

With Dedika for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.

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Course content

8 Chapters • 36 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Foundations of Armed Security Work

  • Lesson 1 • Legal Authority and Limitations

    Covers the legal powers granted to armed guards and the boundaries of lawful action. Grounds all subsequent use-of-force decisions in legal context.

  • Lesson 2 • The Armed Security Profession

    Defines the armed guard role within the broader security industry. Connects professional identity to legal obligations and public trust.

  • Lesson 3 • Ethics and Professional Conduct

    Examines ethical decision-making, bias awareness, and professional demeanour. Builds the moral foundation required for responsible armed work.

  • Lesson 4 • Licensing and Regulatory Compliance

    Outlines the licensing process, continuing education mandates, and regulatory oversight applicable to armed guards. Ensures students meet all compliance requirements.

Chapter 2See details

Firearm Safety and Fundamentals

  • Lesson 1 • Core Firearm Safety Rules

    Introduces the universal rules of firearm safety and their rationale. Establishes non-negotiable habits that underpin all subsequent live-fire training.

  • Lesson 2 • Marksmanship Fundamentals

    Teaches grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control. These mechanics form the technical core of accurate defensive shooting.

  • Lesson 3 • Range Safety and Procedures

    Establishes range commands, range officer roles, and emergency protocols. Ensures all live-fire sessions are conducted safely and consistently.

  • Lesson 4 • Handgun Nomenclature and Operation

    Covers the parts, functions, and operating systems of duty handguns. Provides the mechanical knowledge needed for safe handling and malfunction resolution.

  • Lesson 5 • Ammunition Knowledge

    Explains ammunition types, components, and selection criteria for duty use. Connects ammunition choice to safety, effectiveness, and legal considerations.

Chapter 3See details

Use of Force Law and Policy

  • Lesson 1 • Post-Incident Legal Obligations

    Covers required actions after a use-of-force event, including reporting and cooperation. Protects students legally and professionally following an incident.

  • Lesson 2 • The Use-of-Force Continuum

    Presents the graduated force model from presence to lethal force. Teaches students to select the appropriate force level for each threat.

  • Lesson 3 • Use-of-Force Legal Standards

    Explains the objective reasonableness standard and proportionality doctrine. Anchors all force decisions in legally defensible criteria.

  • Lesson 4 • Deadly Force Justification

    Defines the conditions under which lethal force is legally authorised. Prepares students to make split-second decisions within legal boundaries.

  • Lesson 5 • Employer Use-of-Force Policies

    Examines how employer policies interact with and may restrict legal authority. Students learn to operate within both legal and contractual frameworks.

Chapter 4See details

Threat Recognition and Assessment

  • Lesson 1 • Active Shooter Recognition

    Defines active shooter indicators and the guard's immediate response role. Bridges threat recognition to coordinated emergency response.

  • Lesson 2 • Behavioural Indicators of Threat

    Identifies pre-attack indicators and suspicious behavioural patterns. Enables early intervention before a situation escalates to violence.

  • Lesson 3 • Environmental Threat Assessment

    Teaches systematic scanning of environments to identify hazards and vulnerabilities. Connects situational awareness to proactive security positioning.

  • Lesson 4 • Threat Prioritisation and Response

    Covers methods for ranking multiple simultaneous threats and allocating response resources. Prepares guards for complex, multi-threat scenarios.

Chapter 5See details

Defensive Shooting Techniques

  • Lesson 1 • Shooting on the Move

    Develops the ability to engage targets while moving laterally and rearward. Reduces the guard's exposure whilst maintaining effective fire.

  • Lesson 2 • Low-Light and Reduced-Visibility Shooting

    Addresses target identification and shooting techniques in low-light environments. Prepares guards for the majority of real-world defensive encounters.

  • Lesson 3 • Drawing from the Holster

    Teaches a safe, efficient draw stroke from a duty holster. Builds the muscle memory required for rapid, consistent weapon deployment.

  • Lesson 4 • Malfunction Clearance

    Trains immediate and remedial action drills for common handgun malfunctions. Ensures the guard can restore the weapon to service rapidly under pressure.

  • Lesson 5 • Reloading Under Pressure

    Covers emergency and tactical reload techniques for duty handguns. Maintains continuous defensive capability during extended engagements.

Chapter 6See details

Defensive Tactics and Physical Control

  • Lesson 1 • Empty-Hand Control Techniques

    Introduces escort holds, wrist controls, and takedown fundamentals. Provides proportional physical options below the lethal force threshold.

  • Lesson 2 • Personal Safety and Defensive Positioning

    Teaches interview stance, reactionary gap, and personal space management. Establishes physical positioning habits that reduce assault risk.

  • Lesson 3 • Handcuffing and Detainee Control

    Covers lawful handcuffing procedures and safe detainee management. Ensures compliant, injury-free control pending law enforcement arrival.

  • Lesson 4 • Weapon Retention Techniques

    Trains guards to retain their firearm during a disarm attempt. Prevents weapon loss, which is a critical safety and liability concern.

Chapter 7See details

Patrol Procedures and Post Operations

  • Lesson 1 • Alarm Response and Emergency Protocols

    Covers response procedures for intrusion, fire, and medical alarms at a post. Integrates patrol skills with emergency action plan execution.

  • Lesson 2 • Patrol Methods and Techniques

    Covers foot, vehicle, and stationary patrol strategies for various site types. Builds the operational foundation for effective perimeter and interior security.

  • Lesson 3 • Observation and Reporting

    Develops systematic observation skills and accurate written reporting habits. Accurate documentation protects the guard, client, and employer legally.

  • Lesson 4 • Post Orders and Site Familiarisation

    Explains how to read, interpret, and execute site-specific post orders. Ensures guards operate within client expectations and contractual obligations.

  • Lesson 5 • Access Control Operations

    Teaches credential verification, visitor management, and controlled entry procedures. Prevents unauthorised access whilst maintaining professional client relations.

Chapter 8See details

Scenario-Based Training and Qualification

  • Lesson 1 • Live-Fire Qualification Course

    Administers the standardised shooting qualification required for armed guard certification. Validates marksmanship and safety competency at required distances.

  • Lesson 2 • Integrated Scenario Assessment

    Evaluates patrol, communication, threat assessment, and force decisions in a single scenario. Confirms holistic job readiness across all course competencies.

  • Lesson 3 • Stress Inoculation and Decision-Making

    Introduces controlled stress exposure to simulate real incident conditions. Builds the cognitive resilience needed for sound decisions under pressure.

  • Lesson 4 • Force-on-Force Scenario Exercises

    Uses role-players and simulation munitions to test use-of-force judgment. Reveals decision-making gaps in a safe, controlled environment.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Unarmed security operatives: ready to upgrade to higher-paying armed assignments.

  • Military veterans: transitioning into civilian security careers with transferable discipline.

  • Career changers: seeking stable employment in a growing public safety field.

  • Retail or loss prevention workers: wanting formal armed credentials and legal authority.

  • Former law enforcement officers: needing private-sector licensing and updated protocols.

  • Recent graduates: entering the workforce through a structured, credential-bearing security path.

What our students say

Your lessons are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of interest without needing to change platforms... I'm grateful for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
Giulio Carlo
Giulio CarloDigital Marketing Student
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can change chapters and skip content I don't need.
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Mariana FerresPhotography Student
I like the content and the way videos are presented and transcribed, which speeds up the process!
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Luciana AlvarengaNail Design Student
The platform is fast and simple to use. The diversity of content and complementary videos really help with learning.
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André FelipePrompt Engineering Student

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