Protecting Priceless Artifacts
Museum security is the safeguard and measures that are in place to protect its structure and contents. From a security standpoint museums are prime targets for theft, vandalism, art fraud and terrorism. The priceless one of a kind artifacts they hold is the reason why museum security is such a challenge and priority. It requires more than just bells and whistles to protect cultural treasures, Picasso's and van Gogh's. A fortress and a museum have a lot in common with regards to the layers of protection and security they have in place. From security guards on patrol to the sensors, alarms and CCTV watching over each room and exhibit. However a lot goes on behind the scenes and we are going to tell you how it all works.
What Security Is In A Museums?
Museums will have many different types of security in place to help protect them and their valuables. Some of these security measures are:
Security Officers
Security Cameras and CCTV Operatives
Access Control
Key Control
Counter Surveillance
Bag Checks
Physical Barriers
Security Alarms
Motion Detection Security Systems.
Smoke alarm technology
How Much Do Museum Security Guards Get Paid?
After researching recent job posts for museum security guard’s in London the average salary is between £30k-£36k per annum. But this salary can vary across the UK going down to the range of £25k-£30k outside of London. How much a museum security guard earns all depends on how many hours per week they will be working and whether it is a supervisor position or not and their location.
How Do You Become A Museum Security Guard?
If you are not working directly for the museum then you will need to fulfil the following criteria in the UK to apply to work in a museum.
You need to be 18 years or older to work in the security industry in the UK.
Have right to work in the UK.
Have a first aid qualification.
Have an SIA security guard licence
If you meet the above criteria you can generally apply for a museum security job (as long as they don't ask for any experience that you don't have.) If you need to know how to write a covering letter for your security job see our post on that here. If you want to know how to smash your next security job interview then have a look at our other post here.
What Does A Museum Officer Do?
Security officers in museums patrol and Monitoring operate visitor management systems and provide access control and surveillance. On top of these duties they are also on hand for emergency response and reporting, Other day to day duties include preventive measures, coordination and teamwork, risk management and crisis management. Here is a deeper look at a museum security officers duties.
Security Officers in Museums
Do Foot Patrols To Display A Security Presence and Give Reassurance
Security guards are either stationed in particularly high value areas or patrol throughout the museum space. Whilst on patrol security guards should perform a dynamic risk assessment and continuously review the rooms for threats or suspicious activity.
Use CCTV To Public Space Monitor The Museum and it's visitors
CCTV officers within the museum will need a special public space surveillance license to perform this duty. The camera system is used to monitor the public areas and back of house of the museum to ensure safety and security.
Provide Customer Service and Assist Visitors
Part and parcel of a good museum security service is to help visitors and make their experience memorable and safe. Security guards can help by answering customer enquiries promptly, helping lost persons, assisting with lost property and giving museum information.
Providing Crowd Control In Busy Exhibit Areas
A museum like the British Museum in London is really popular and some areas in the museum can draw in the crowds and keep them there looking more than others. A museum security operative will help control the flow into a particular area during busy periods to keep it safe.
Conduct Bag Searches At The Museum Entrance
In response to recent terrorism threats larger museums across the UK require security guards to conduct bag searches. A bag search is completely voluntary in the UK but if you refuse you will not be permitted entry into a museum where a bag search policy applies. The security officer checks the bag for illegal or dangerous items such as weapons or paint.
Respond To Security Alarms and Threats
Responding to a security incident is one of security's primary responsibilities. Security incidents come in the shape or form of alarm activations, first aid incidents, vandalism, theft, anti social behaviour or violence. Any response to one of these incidents should be carried out in a calm manner that causes the absolute minimal fuss, distress or concern to visitors or museum staff.
Monitor and Control Access and Egress To The Museum
Museums always need to control the coming and goings of visitors and show a presence on the entrances and exits. This will deter security issues from arising and ensure people only genuinely interested in the exhibits enter. It also has the additional benefit of serving as a visual deterrent against thieves which reduces crime.
Why Does A Museum Have Security?
Museums always draw a huge number of visitors in capital cities around the world as they are filled with one of a kind must see items from the terracotta army to royal gems. For these very reason they are targeted by both amateur and professional thieves which makes it all the more important to have layers of security in place to protect the perimeter, high value articles inside as well as the museum staff.
What Are The Basics of Securing A Museum?
Asides from relying on security guards museums can beef up their protection by professionally installing a security camera system, ensuring security glass and cabinets are used and they are locked with an advanced locking system, using motion detectors for sensitive areas and out of hours, giving security awareness training to all museum staff during inductions and keeping the number of potential entrances and exits to a minimum.
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