The use of force by a security guard should always be a last resort and used only when necessary to protect themselves or others from immediate harm. The exact guidelines for the use of force vary by jurisdiction, but in general, a security guard may only use the amount of force that is reasonably necessary to control a situation.

The use of excessive force is illegal and can result in both criminal and civil liabilities for the security guard and their employer. In order to ensure that their use of force is justified and appropriate, security guards receive training on the use of force, including de-escalation techniques and the use of non-lethal weapons such as pepper spray or a baton.