One of Ireland’s leading Security companies is on a drive to encourage more women to consider a career in the industry. 

Manguard Plus, which employs some 1,200 people throughout the country is to the fore of a major campaign to encourage more women to consider working in Security.

Only 11% of security workers in the Irish industry are women.

A Co. Kildare woman, the first female in Ireland to pass one of the most coveted professional examinations in the security industry is today calling for more women to consider entering the sector.

Claire Regan who is an Account Manager with Manguard Plus, Ireland’s largest privately owned security company, passed the CSSM (Certified in Security Supervision & Management) examination awarded by ‘International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)’, a recognised highly sought-after certification.

Claire says “I would love to see more women coming into the industry. As it stands, only 11% of women work in the Irish security industry. I would encourage any woman to look into our sector for real opportunities and career advancement. I am working her for the past 18 years and I started in Admin. I have been given huge scope and encouragement to progress. It is a fascinating and fast-moving industry, one that definitely offers rewards and flexibility, and I am so glad it is my chosen field”.

“This certification is so important for my career and passing it has made all the hard work and study worthwhile. This exam was tough and is recognised as a very difficult exam, so to pass it is a huge personal and professional milestone for me”.

“Manguard Plus is recognised as leading the way when it comes to upskilling and training staff and I am so grateful for their ongoing support and guidance and the opportunities they have given me. I can genuinely say that the company is somewhat unique in the support it offers to staff. For example, it actually pays for employees to sit the PSA (Private Security Authority) Exam, which is the absolute requisite to work in the industry. A career in Security is a highly demanding, interesting and varied path and I would recommend it to anyone. There are real opportunities for professional advancement in security for women”.
“I would genuinely encourage any woman to look into our sector for real opportunities and career advancement. It is a fascinating and fast-moving industry, one that definitely offers rewards and flexibility, and I am so glad it is my chosen field”.

Meanwhile, Louise O’ Connell from Blessington, who is a Supervisor with Manguard Plus, also passed the CSSM and is enjoying a very successful career with the company, success she attributes to the progressive and supportive ethos in the company.

Louise says “Manguard Plus puts so much store in training and upskilling staff and I am so grateful for their ongoing support and guidance and the opportunities they have given me. I was mentored by Claire Regan; she coached me and helped me every step of the way and I am so grateful for her guidance and support. That is the great thing; I suppose because there are so few women in security in Ireland in general, we want to see the ones who are in the industry succeed and thrive. There are so many roles that women can have”.

The variety of roles on offer for women in security is echoed by Financial Controller with Manguard Plus, Deirdre McGinley. “Oh absolutely, the roles are so varied and because of the very specialised nature of our industry, they are interesting. I am a firm believer in diversity and each group brings diversity. I find that I look at things in an operational way totally differently to my male colleagues and vice versa and this is really healthy and a benefit in our company. I suppose a lot of women still have set perceptions of security, perhaps they see it is a very masculine industry which is totally understandable when one is looking in from the outside, but the industry has changed enormously, and it is now one that is truly attractive for women also”.

Managing Director of Manguard Plus, Sean Hall says “Our female colleagues are true trailblazers for women in Security in Ireland. While I am undoubtably delighted that Claire has made a bit of history in the Irish Security Industry being the first woman in the country to pass the CSSM exam and is a credit to us, I see her successes in broader terms. I see it as an opportunity to highlight the huge opportunities for women in professional security. They bring a huge diversity of thought to our business and this is only a good thing”.

“Traditionally Security has been an industry that has predominantly attracted men, but both Claire and Louise have carved out very important roles for themselves, they are central to our work here and we firmly believe that their success will encourage other women to consider a role in security as a long term and professional career path”.