Access control officers (often known as door supervisors) are responsible for checking and authorising the entry of people to business premises, establishments, events or specific areas. This involves verifying individuals’ identity before granting or refusing access. Their responsibilities include identifying visitors, ensuring the safety of authorised attendees and making sure the controlled venue runs smoothly.
Main duties
- Supervising the workplace and keeping it in optimal condition, checking that access systems are working properly.
- Monitoring the venue’s maximum capacity and closing entrances when necessary.
- Ensuring that the established admission criteria are met.
- Checking attendees’ belongings for prohibited items.
- Enforcing regulations restricting the entry of minors.
- Refusing entry outside permitted hours or whenever the situation requires it.
- Providing information and assistance to the public at entrances.
- Giving first aid and contacting the emergency services if necessary.
- Reminding attendees of the relevant rules and prohibitions inside the venue.
- In some cases, managing and recording the entry and exit of authorised staff using access control logs.
Where access control officers can work
- Retail and hospitality: shopping centres, luxury stores, hotels, etc.
- Concerts, theatres and sports stadiums.
- Corporate buildings and offices.
- Ports.
- Construction sites.
- Function and assembly halls.
- Private corporate events.
- Residential areas and gated communities.
- Private estates and residences.
- Nightclubs.
- Car parks.
Differences between a security guard and an access control officer
Unlike security guards, access control officers are not authorised to detain people or to intervene in crime prevention, as they do not hold the security guard Professional Identity Card (TIP), which qualifies holders to perform these duties throughout Spain. Access control officers must also complete a specific training course in order to work legally – except in Catalonia, which has its own system: there, access control officers must complete the access control course and then pass an exam to obtain the access control officer TIP, issued by the Catalan Department of the Interior (Departament d’Interior).
At SEFOR, we understand the importance of access control. Improving security in business, residential or event settings sometimes requires a strategic combination of security guards and access control officers.