What should security guards do if they find unauthorized individuals in restricted areas?

Reporting incidents to management immediately is the appropriate and necessary action for security guards when they encounter unauthorized individuals in restricted areas. This response aligns with standard security protocols, which emphasize the importance of ensuring safety and compliance with access policies. By notifying management, the security guard helps to initiate a proper resolution process, potentially involving further investigation or law enforcement if necessary.

Ignoring individuals or allowing them to remain in restricted areas, even if they appear non-disruptive, poses risks to security, safety, and protocol adherence. Aggressively confronting individuals can lead to escalating situations, risking the safety of both the guard and the unauthorized individuals, and often violates de-escalation best practices. Thus, promptly reporting the situation to management is essential for maintaining a secure environment and ensuring appropriate actions are taken in response to unauthorized access.