Security operations glossary

A daily activity report is a shift-by-shift record of what a security officer did on post: patrols completed, checkpoints scanned, people and vehicles logged, incidents observed and anything handed over to the next shift. Clients use DARs as evidence that the service they pay for was delivered.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS builds the DAR from the officer's own time-stamped activity entries, checkpoint scans and incidents, and publishes it to the client portal.

A guard tour system verifies that an officer physically visited set points on a property by having them scan a checkpoint (a QR code, NFC tag or GPS location) at each one. Each scan is time-stamped, so missed or late rounds show up immediately.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS supports QR and NFC checkpoints with GPS-stamped scans, scheduled tours, and alerts when a checkpoint is missed.

Post orders are the written instructions for a specific security post: duties, patrol routes, access rules, emergency contacts and what to do in common situations. Officers are expected to read and follow them before starting a shift.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS shows each property's post orders on the officer's phone and records a signed acknowledgment, asking for a new signature after the orders change.

Proof of service is the evidence that contracted security hours and patrols actually happened: who was on site, when, where they went and what they recorded. It is what lets a security company defend an invoice.

In PatrolOS: In PatrolOS each billed hour links back to the clock-in, checkpoint scans and reports behind it.

A geofence is a virtual boundary drawn around a property. Security software uses it to confirm an officer's phone is actually on site when they clock in, scan or report.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS checks clock-ins against each property's geofence and can require a photo at clock-in.

An incident report is a factual, time-stamped account of an event on post, such as a trespass, theft, injury, alarm or property damage: what happened, who was involved, what the officer did and who was notified. A clear report protects the client, the officer and the security company.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS incident reports carry photos, video and voice notes, are reviewed by a supervisor, and reach the client only after approval.

Lone worker safety covers procedures for officers who work alone: regular check-ins on a timer, a panic or man-down alert, and escalation to a supervisor when a check-in is missed.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS runs timed check-ins and, when one is missed, raises an alarm from the server even if the officer's phone is off.

A call-off is when a scheduled officer can't work their shift. Coverage means finding a qualified replacement quickly without breaking licensing rules or pushing someone into overtime.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS ranks replacements who are free, hold a current guard card and wouldn't go into overtime.

A guard card is the state license that allows a person to work as a security officer. Most US states require one, and many require it to be renewed with continuing training. Armed posts usually need an additional firearm permit.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS tracks each officer's licenses and expiry dates and flags credentials that are about to lapse.

Unarmed security officers deter, observe and report; armed officers carry a firearm and need extra licensing and training. Most commercial, residential and retail posts are unarmed.

Mobile patrol is security coverage where one officer in a vehicle visits several properties on a route during a shift, instead of standing at one post. Each stop is usually verified with checkpoint scans.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS plans routes across properties and verifies each stop with GPS and checkpoint scans.

Dispatch is the function that receives calls, alarms and client requests and assigns the nearest available officer, then tracks the response until it's closed.

A BOLO is an alert telling officers to watch for a specific person, vehicle or situation, often shared in the shift briefing.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS daily briefings carry BOLO items for the whole company or a single property.

A shift handoff is the structured exchange between the outgoing and incoming officer: keys, radios, open issues and anything the next shift must know.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS records the handoff and has the incoming officer sign for it.

A site assessment is a walkthrough of a property to identify risks and decide coverage: entrances, lighting, blind spots and the hours of officer time needed. It's usually the basis for a security proposal.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS Property Walkthroughs capture photos, video and notes on a phone and calculate weekly staffing hours.

Visitor management is logging who enters a property, who they're visiting and when they leave, and checking them against a list of people who are not allowed on site.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS logs visitors at the post and alerts the company when a name matches the watchlist.

A client portal is a secure website where a security company's customers see the reports, incidents and proof of service for their own properties, without waiting for emailed PDFs.

Security guard management software is the system a private security company uses to schedule officers, prove patrols, track time on site, write incident and daily activity reports, run payroll and bill clients.

In PatrolOS: PatrolOS does all of these in one product, priced per company rather than per guard.