Why More Women Belong in Security – and Why We’re Doing Something About It
Joseph Wooder – Business Development Manager
At NGTC, we’re always thinking about who’s missing from the room. And when it comes to the security sector, the data speaks for itself.
Only 10.9% of SIA licence holders in the UK are women. (Nov ’25)
In close protection, it drops to just 6.9%.
These aren’t just statistics — they’re a reminder that something needs to change. And that change has to be structural.
That’s why we’re proud to be working with Enterprising Cheshire & Warrington (ECW) as part of their Women In… campaign, helping to promote gender diversity in security roles and open up new opportunities for women to join the profession. Our next Covert Surveillance Skills Bootcamp launches this January, and while it’s open to everyone, there’s a clear priority across ECW and DWP to encourage more women to take up places.
Why This Matters
Security work isn’t what it used to be. It’s no longer just high-visibility jackets and nightclub doors. Today, it includes surveillance roles, safeguarding responsibilities, crisis management, and public safety. These are roles that demand communication, discretion, confidence, and trust — qualities that many women bring in abundance but are often overlooked in recruitment.
Employers are actively seeking to improve gender balance within their teams — not for box-ticking reasons, but because of operational need. There are roles within security where women are not only preferred but sometimes legally required. For example:
- Search roles involving female members of the public (e.g. pat-downs at festivals, bag checks at stadiums)
- Monitoring or inspecting female toilets and changing areas
- Working in women’s refuges, hospitals or safeguarding environments where female staff are a prerequisite
- Close protection or surveillance tasks requiring same-gender shadowing due to cultural or client-specific needs
In these scenarios, female staff aren’t just welcome — they’re essential. And the shortage of trained women is becoming a growing challenge for employers across the sector.
Changing the Narrative
One of the biggest barriers to women entering the security industry is visibility. If you’ve never seen someone like you in the role, it’s easy to assume it’s not for you. That’s something we’re working to change — not just through training, but through representation. By supporting more women into covert and specialist roles, we’re starting to break that cycle and change the perception of who belongs in security.
We also know many women aren’t just looking for “a job” — they’re looking for a reset. A new challenge. A second career with purpose. Security, and particularly surveillance work, offers a route that builds on the skills many women already have: observation, discretion, clear communication, calm under pressure. This isn’t just about entry-level roles — it’s about progression, specialisation, and future-proofing your career.
How You Can Help
If you work in or alongside the security industry, ask yourself:
- Do you know women who’d be excellent in security roles but have never considered it?
- Could your organisation support a female learner through a Skills Bootcamp?
- Are you in a position to recommend the programme to someone ready for a career change?
Now is the time to act. We’ve got funded places available, high-quality training in place, and employer demand for a more diverse workforce. What we need now is to close the gap between interest and action.
For more information on our January intake for our Covert Surveillance Skills Bootcamp in Cheshire & Warrington, contact training@ngtc.co.uk
#TrainingForASecureFuture #WomenInSecurity