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Private Security Basic Training (CFP)
More than 2 million students worldwide

Private Security Basic Training (CFP)

Get the foundational training you need to launch a career in private security. This course covers everything from legal authority and use-of-force to emergency response and professional report writing. Build the skills employers expect and meet the regulatory requirements for licensure from day one.

Dedika for businesses

What you will learn:

This course prepares you to work as a licensed private security officer with confidence and legal competence. You will learn the legal boundaries of your authority, how to control access and conduct patrols, and how to operate CCTV and electronic security systems. You will develop professional report writing skills and understand how to document incidents in a way that holds up in court. The course also covers emergency response, crowd management, conflict de-escalation, and workplace violence prevention. By the end, you will have a complete operational foundation across every core area of private security work.

How you study in practice Private Security Basic Training (CFP)

How you practice Private Security Basic Training (CFP)

For companies that want to train their team

With Dedika for Business, 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 • 35 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Foundations of Private Security

  • Lesson 1 • Licensing and Regulatory Requirements

    Outlines mandatory licensing, background checks, and ongoing compliance obligations. Ensures students understand the regulatory conditions for lawful employment.

  • Lesson 2 • The Private Security Industry

    Defines private security, its scope, and its distinction from public law enforcement. Provides the baseline context for all subsequent professional training.

  • Lesson 3 • Professional Ethics and Conduct

    Defines ethical standards, integrity, and professional behavior expected of security officers. Connects personal conduct to organizational reputation and legal standing.

  • Lesson 4 • Legal Authority and Limitations

    Covers the legal powers granted to security personnel and the boundaries they must not cross. Grounds students in lawful conduct before any field application.

Chapter 2See details

Legal Powers and Use of Force

  • Lesson 1 • Documenting Use-of-Force Incidents

    Teaches accurate, timely documentation of force events for legal and operational purposes. Reinforces accountability and supports post-incident review.

  • Lesson 2 • Use-of-Force Continuum

    Explains the graduated scale of force options from verbal commands to physical intervention. Teaches proportional response as the core decision-making framework.

  • Lesson 3 • Searches and Seizures

    Defines when and how security personnel may conduct searches and retain property. Distinguishes lawful consent-based searches from prohibited warrantless searches.

  • Lesson 4 • Detention and Arrest Procedures

    Covers lawful detention, the limits of citizen's arrest, and proper handoff to law enforcement. Prevents unlawful restraint and false imprisonment liability.

Chapter 3See details

Access Control and Perimeter Security

  • Lesson 1 • Perimeter Patrol Techniques

    Covers foot and vehicle patrol methods, patrol patterns, and observation skills. Builds the habit of systematic, documented perimeter inspection.

  • Lesson 2 • Principles of Access Control

    Introduces the concept of layered security zones and the logic of controlling movement. Establishes the theoretical basis for all physical access procedures.

  • Lesson 3 • Post Orders and Fixed-Post Duties

    Explains how to read, follow, and enforce site-specific post orders. Connects written directives to consistent, defensible officer behavior.

  • Lesson 4 • Physical Security Hardware

    Surveys locks, barriers, lighting, and fencing as physical deterrents and delay mechanisms. Teaches officers to assess and report hardware vulnerabilities.

  • Lesson 5 • Electronic Access Control Systems

    Introduces card readers, biometrics, and intercom systems used at controlled entry points. Prepares officers to operate and troubleshoot common electronic systems.

Chapter 4See details

Surveillance and Observation Skills

  • Lesson 1 • CCTV System Operation

    Covers camera types, monitor station operation, and recording management. Enables officers to use surveillance technology as an active security tool.

  • Lesson 2 • Surveillance Documentation and Evidence

    Teaches how to log observations, preserve video evidence, and support investigations. Ensures surveillance data is legally usable and operationally valuable.

  • Lesson 3 • Principles of Effective Observation

    Teaches structured scanning techniques and the limits of human perception. Reduces missed threats caused by inattentional blindness and fatigue.

  • Lesson 4 • Behavioral Detection Techniques

    Introduces indicators of suspicious behavior, pre-attack indicators, and anomaly recognition. Connects observation skills to early threat identification.

Chapter 5See details

Report Writing and Documentation

  • Lesson 1 • Witness Statements and Interviews

    Teaches how to obtain, record, and preserve witness accounts at incident scenes. Connects interview technique to admissible, reliable documentation.

  • Lesson 2 • Daily Activity and Patrol Logs

    Covers routine log entries, patrol records, and shift summaries. Builds the habit of continuous documentation as a professional standard.

  • Lesson 3 • Fundamentals of Security Report Writing

    Introduces the purpose, audience, and legal weight of security documentation. Establishes writing standards applied throughout all reporting tasks.

  • Lesson 4 • Incident Report Structure and Content

    Teaches the standard incident report format, required elements, and narrative construction. Ensures complete, consistent documentation of every security event.

Chapter 6See details

Emergency Response and Crisis Management

  • Lesson 1 • Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures

    Covers fire detection, extinguisher use, and structured evacuation coordination. Prepares officers to protect life and property during fire emergencies.

  • Lesson 2 • Bomb Threat and Hazardous Material Response

    Covers threat assessment, evacuation decisions, and safe standoff distances. Teaches officers to act decisively without exceeding their authority or training.

  • Lesson 3 • Active Threat and Lockdown Protocols

    Applies run-hide-fight principles and lockdown procedures to active threat scenarios. Prepares officers to protect occupants and guide law enforcement response.

  • Lesson 4 • Emergency Response Fundamentals

    Defines emergency categories, notification chains, and the officer's first-responder role. Establishes the decision framework used in all subsequent emergency scenarios.

  • Lesson 5 • Medical Emergency First Response

    Teaches recognition of common medical crises and immediate stabilization actions. Bridges the gap between incident onset and arrival of medical professionals.

Chapter 7See details

Crowd Management and Public Interaction

  • Lesson 1 • Customer Service in Security Roles

    Balances security enforcement with professional, respectful public interaction. Reinforces that positive public relations support rather than undermine security objectives.

  • Lesson 2 • Crowd Psychology and Behavior

    Explains how crowds form, escalate, and disperse, and the officer's influence on crowd dynamics. Provides the behavioral science foundation for all crowd management tactics.

  • Lesson 3 • Conflict Resolution and De-escalation

    Teaches verbal and non-verbal techniques to defuse confrontations before force is needed. Directly reduces use-of-force incidents and liability exposure.

  • Lesson 4 • Crowd Control Techniques

    Covers positioning, barrier use, and soft dispersal methods for managing large groups. Teaches proportional, lawful crowd management without unnecessary force.

Chapter 8See details

Threat Assessment and Risk Management

  • Lesson 1 • Threat and Vulnerability Analysis

    Introduces threat identification, vulnerability mapping, and consequence estimation. Provides the analytical framework for all risk-based security decisions.

  • Lesson 2 • Security Planning and Countermeasures

    Covers the selection and layering of countermeasures to address identified risks. Teaches cost-effective, proportional security planning aligned with client needs.

  • Lesson 3 • Incident Trend Analysis

    Uses historical incident data to identify patterns and predict future security needs. Elevates officers from reactive responders to proactive security contributors.

  • Lesson 4 • Site Security Surveys

    Teaches how to conduct a structured physical inspection to identify security weaknesses. Connects observation skills and hardware knowledge to formal risk documentation.

  • Lesson 5 • Business Continuity and Security

    Connects security operations to organizational resilience and continuity planning. Prepares officers to support recovery efforts following major incidents.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Job seekers: looking to enter the private security industry quickly.

  • Military veterans: ready to translate service experience into civilian security roles.

  • Retail workers: wanting to move into a formal loss prevention or security position.

  • Recent high school graduates: exploring stable, entry-level careers in public safety.

  • Career changers: seeking a structured path into a growing, in-demand profession.

  • Hospitality staff: aiming to specialize in venue or event security operations.

What our students say

Your classes are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of my interest without needing to switch platforms... I thank you for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
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Giulio CarloDigital Marketing Student
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can switch chapters and skip content I don't need.
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Mariana FerresPhotography Student
I like the content and the presentation style and video transcription, which speeds up the process!
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Luciana AlvarengaNail Design Student
The platform is fast, 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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