Security guards are entrusted with the safety of people, property, and assets. Whether you are hiring security for a business, an event, or a residential community, the stakes are high. You need to know that the person you are hiring is who they claim to be, holds the required licenses, and has a clean background. Unfortunately, fake security credentials are a real problem. Individuals with criminal records or no proper training sometimes pose as licensed security guards, putting clients at risk. A face search engine like facesearching gives you a powerful tool to verify a security guard's identity before you hire. By running a reverse face search, you can find someone by photo and confirm whether the security guard's professional identity is genuine. This tutorial walks through the complete verification process, emphasizing the 'trust but verify' principle that should guide every security hiring decision.
Step 1: Collect the Security Guard's Photo
Start by obtaining a clear photo of the security guard. If you are working through a security company, request the guard's photo and licensing information as part of your due diligence. A reputable security company will provide this information without hesitation. If you are hiring an independent security guard, collect their photo from their professional profile, LinkedIn, or any documentation they provide. A legitimate security professional should have a readily available photo, as this is a standard part of licensing and identification in the security industry. If the guard or the company is reluctant to provide a photo, that is a significant red flag. Choose the clearest, most recent photo available. The quality of the input photo directly affects the accuracy of the reverse face search results.
Step 2: Run a Reverse Face Search
Upload the photo to facesearching. The face search engine will analyze the facial geometry and scan over 100 platforms, including social media, news sites, public records databases, and professional networks. In under a minute, you will receive a list of every public web location where that face appears, each with a confidence score. The results should be carefully reviewed for any concerning appearances. Pay particular attention to matches on news sites that may indicate arrests, criminal charges, or involvement in incidents. Also check for contradictory identities — the same face appearing under different names or in inconsistent professional contexts. A legitimate security guard should have a clean, consistent online presence. For a deeper understanding of the technology, see our complete guide to reverse face search.
Step 3: Verify Security Licensing
In most states, security guards are required to be licensed by a state regulatory board, such as the Department of Public Safety or the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. Licensing requirements typically include a background check, completion of training hours, and passing an examination. Ask the security guard or the security company for the guard's license number and the issuing state. Then verify the license independently through the state regulatory board's online database. The face search results should be consistent with the licensing information — the same face should appear in contexts that align with the claimed license. If the guard cannot provide a verifiable license number, or if the license does not check out, do not proceed. Unlicensed security personnel are a liability risk and may not have the training or background to perform the job safely.
Step 4: Check Criminal Background and Public Records
While face search does not access private criminal databases, it can surface public records, news articles, and other open-source information that may reveal a criminal history or other concerns. Review the face search results carefully for any matches on local news sites, court records, or public databases. If the face search results raise any concerns, follow up with a formal background check through a licensed consumer reporting agency. For regulated hiring decisions, a formal background check is legally required and cannot be replaced by face search alone. However, face search can serve as an early warning system, flagging potential issues that warrant a more thorough investigation. For more on the relationship between face search and formal background checks, see our guide on using face search for background checks.
Step 5: Verify Employment History and Conduct an Interview
Confirm the security guard's employment history with their current and previous employers. A reputable security company should be able to provide verification of employment dates and any performance issues. If you are hiring an independent guard, contact their references directly and ask specific questions about their reliability, professionalism, and any incidents. Conduct an in-person interview to verify that the person matches the verified photo from the face search. During the interview, assess the guard's communication skills, their understanding of security protocols, and their ability to handle emergency situations. A genuine, qualified security guard will be professional, articulate, and able to discuss their training and experience in detail. If the guard is evasive, cannot answer basic security questions, or seems unprofessional, do not proceed.
Red Flags When Hiring a Security Guard
- The security guard's photo appears on a stock image site, under a different name, or in unrelated contexts in the face search results
- The security guard's claimed license cannot be verified independently through the state regulatory board
- The face search results show the guard appearing in news articles about arrests, criminal activity, or concerning incidents
- The security company or guard is reluctant to provide a photo, license number, or employment verification
- The guard's employment history has unexplained gaps, or references cannot be contacted or provide vague responses
- The guard avoids in-person interviews or the person who appears does not match the verified photo
How facesearching Supports Security Hiring Decisions
facesearching gives you a fast, privacy-first way to verify a security guard's identity before you hire. By uploading a single photo, you can see every public location where that face appears — from news sites and public records to social media and professional networks. The results help you confirm licensing, identify potential background issues, and make informed hiring decisions. Photos are deleted immediately after processing, ensuring your privacy is protected. To try it now, visit the facesearching home page and upload a security guard's photo — you will have actionable results in under a minute.
When you hire a security guard, you are trusting them with your safety. One face search confirms that the person you are hiring is the professional they claim to be.