Job Profile: Security Monitor

Job Overview

The Security Monitor is the central nervous system of a cannabis facility's physical security program. This position is responsible for the continuous surveillance of all operational activities, from cultivation and processing to vault storage and retail transactions. Operating from a dedicated monitoring station or Security Operations Center (SOC), the Security Monitor utilizes a sophisticated suite of technologies, including Video Management Systems (VMS), Access Control Systems (ACS), and intrusion detection alarms. The role's primary function is the proactive identification of security risks, compliance breaches, and operational anomalies. This requires an analytical mindset to distinguish between routine activity and indicators of potential threats, such as internal diversion, external intrusion, or procedural violations that could jeopardize the company’s operating license. The position directly supports the integrity of the seed-to-sale tracking system by providing visual verification and an auditable record of all product handling and movement, thereby ensuring asset protection and unwavering regulatory adherence.

A Day in the Life

The shift begins with a detailed handover briefing from the outgoing monitor. This includes a review of the pass-down log, which notes any overnight equipment malfunctions, unresolved alerts, or specific areas requiring heightened surveillance. The first hour is dedicated to a comprehensive systems integrity check. The Security Monitor methodically verifies the status of every camera in the network, confirming clear fields of view, proper recording function, and accurate timestamping. Special attention is given to cameras covering critical zones: the vault, cash processing offices, product packaging lines, and all facility ingress and egress points. The monitor performs functional tests on door contacts and motion sensors on the facility perimeter and in restricted areas, ensuring the alarm system is fully operational.

As the facility becomes active, the focus shifts to live surveillance and access control management. The monitor observes the arrival of employees, cross-referencing badge swipes in the ACS log with live video to prevent tailgating or unauthorized access. A secure delivery of new packaging materials arrives. The monitor follows protocol by verifying the transport manifest, communicating with the receiving department, and directing the vehicle to the designated loading bay. Throughout the delivery process, the monitor keeps a dedicated camera fixed on the vehicle and personnel, ensuring no unauthorized materials are brought into the facility and all procedures are followed. An alert from the VMS analytics software flags an individual loitering near the employee parking lot fence line. The monitor utilizes a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera to get a clearer view, documents the individual's appearance and behavior, and continues observation to determine if the activity escalates to a direct threat.

Midday involves a focused review of recent recorded footage based on a request from the Inventory Manager, who has identified a minor discrepancy in the count of a specific product batch. The Security Monitor meticulously reviews video from the packaging and vaulting areas during the specified timeframe. By correlating employee movements and product handling with transaction logs from the seed-to-sale system, the monitor identifies a simple case of a mis-scanned container. A video clip of the event is exported and attached to a formal report, resolving the discrepancy and providing clear documentation for auditors. This task highlights the monitor's role in maintaining inventory accuracy and preventing minor issues from escalating into larger investigations.

The afternoon is dedicated to documentation and proactive risk assessment. The monitor completes the daily activity report, a detailed log of all security-related events, system checks, visitor entries, and deliveries. Following the earlier loitering incident, the monitor drafts a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), including time-stamped images and a detailed description of the event, and submits it to the Security Manager. While conducting a virtual tour of the facility via the camera system, the monitor identifies a new potential blind spot created by a recently staged pallet of supplies in a hallway. A recommendation is logged for either moving the pallet or adjusting a nearby camera's field of view. The shift concludes with the preparation of a comprehensive pass-down summary for the next monitor and a final check of all systems to ensure a smooth and informed transition.

Core Responsibilities & Operational Impact

The Security Monitor's responsibilities are structured around three pillars of physical security and compliance:

1. Active Surveillance & Asset Protection

• Continuous Monitoring: Maintaining constant visual oversight of all sensitive areas via the VMS. This includes grow rooms, processing and extraction labs, secure storage vaults, packaging lines, and point-of-sale terminals to deter and detect illicit activity.
• Access Control Management: Monitoring all ingress and egress points through the ACS. This involves verifying credentials, managing visitor access protocols, and ensuring that employees only enter areas for which they are authorized, preventing unauthorized movement of people and product.
• Threat Identification: Proactively identifying anomalous behaviors and security risks. This requires analyzing patterns of activity to detect potential internal theft, external surveillance, or violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that could compromise asset protection.

2. Incident Response & Reporting

• Alarm Response: Serving as the first point of contact for all security alarms, including door breaches, motion detection alerts, and panic buttons. The monitor must quickly assess the alarm's validity, dispatch response personnel, and coordinate with law enforcement when necessary.
• Evidence Preservation: Identifying and archiving relevant video footage and system logs following a security incident. This ensures the preservation of a clear, tamper-proof chain of evidence for internal investigations and potential criminal prosecution.
• Detailed Reporting: Creating accurate, objective, and detailed reports for all incidents, alarms, and unusual activities. These reports form the official record for compliance audits, law enforcement review, and internal analysis, requiring exceptional clarity and attention to detail. This includes managing daily briefings and pass-down logs for task management continuity.

3. System Auditing & Risk Assessment

• Equipment Audits: Regularly performing health checks on all surveillance cameras, access control readers, and alarm sensors to ensure optimal functionality. This proactive maintenance minimizes system downtime and enhances operational efficiency.
• Vulnerability Identification: Conducting virtual patrols to perform ongoing risk assessment of the facility's security posture. This involves identifying potential vulnerabilities such as camera blind spots, inadequate lighting, or procedural gaps and making formal recommendations for improvement.
• Resource Allocation Support: Providing data-driven insights to security management that justify resource allocation. For example, analysis of frequent alarms in a specific area can support the recommendation for an upgraded sensor or an additional camera.

Strategic Impact Analysis

The Security Monitor directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:

Chain of Command & Key Stakeholders

Reports To: This position typically reports to the Security Manager or the Director of Security. In some structures, reporting may be to a Facilities or Operations Director with security oversight.

Similar Roles: This role is functionally equivalent to positions in other industries such as SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst, Surveillance Operator, Loss Prevention Monitor, or Asset Protection Specialist. Professionals with experience in casino surveillance, logistics and supply chain security monitoring, or corporate SOC environments possess the direct skills required for this position. The key differentiator in cannabis is the heavy emphasis on regulatory compliance in addition to traditional asset protection.

Works Closely With: This position works in close collaboration with the Compliance Manager, Inventory Control Manager, and Facility/Dispensary Managers. Collaboration is essential for investigating discrepancies, ensuring SOPs are followed, and coordinating responses to on-site incidents.

Technology, Tools & Systems

Proficiency with specific security technologies is essential for success:

• Video Management Systems (VMS): Advanced use of platforms like Genetec Security Center, Milestone XProtect, or Avigilon Control Center for live monitoring, footage review, evidence exporting, and system diagnostics.
• Access Control Systems (ACS): Competency with systems such as LenelS2, Brivo, Pro-Watch, or AMAG to manage credentials, monitor door activity, generate access reports, and program schedules.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Operation of alarm panels and monitoring software from providers like Bosch, DSC, or Honeywell to respond to perimeter and interior sensor alerts.
• Incident Management Software: Use of digital reporting platforms (e.g., TrackTik, Resolver) for logging events, managing cases, and creating an auditable trail of security activities.
• Radio Communication Systems: Use of two-way radios and standard communication protocols to dispatch on-site personnel and coordinate emergency responses with clarity and efficiency.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Transferable Skills

Top candidates often transition from industries with parallel high-stakes monitoring requirements:

• Casino Surveillance: Unmatched expertise in using advanced camera systems to detect subtle behavioral cues indicative of theft, fraud, or cheating. This skill transfers directly to identifying product diversion or collusion in a cannabis facility.
• Corporate Security Operations Center (SOC): Experience in enterprise-level monitoring of integrated security systems, incident response protocols, and global threat assessment. These professionals excel at managing high volumes of data and coordinating complex responses.
• Logistics & Distribution Center Security: Deep understanding of supply chain security, inventory shrinkage, and the use of surveillance to monitor high-volume product movement. This experience is critical for protecting assets in a cannabis processing and distribution environment.
• Emergency Dispatch (911/Public Safety): Highly disciplined professionals skilled in managing critical incidents, gathering essential information under pressure, and dispatching resources effectively. Their communication and composure are invaluable during a security event.

Critical Competencies

The role demands specific professional attributes:

• Exceptional Observational Acuity: The ability to maintain intense focus for extended periods and detect minute details and deviations from normal patterns that may signal a security or compliance issue.
• Unyielding Integrity: Absolute trustworthiness and ethical conduct are paramount, as the role has access to sensitive information and oversees the protection of extremely high-value assets.
• Systematic & Disciplined Approach: A methodical mindset for conducting system checks, documenting events, and adhering strictly to established SOPs, ensuring consistency and reliability in security operations.

Top 3 Influential Entities for the Role

These organizations define the operational landscape and professional standards for the Security Monitor:

• State Cannabis Regulatory Agencies: (e.g., California's Department of Cannabis Control, Florida's Office of Medical Marijuana Use). These are the most influential entities. They create and enforce the specific, prescriptive regulations for physical security, including minimum camera resolutions, video storage durations, alarm system requirements, and access control protocols that the Monitor must implement and verify daily.
• ASIS International: A global community for security professionals. While not cannabis-specific, ASIS sets the industry standards for physical security best practices through certifications like the Physical Security Professional (PSP). These standards provide the foundational principles for developing a robust security plan that meets and exceeds state cannabis regulations.
• National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA): This trade association provides a platform for operators to share best practices. Its Security Committee develops resources and guidance tailored to the unique challenges of the cannabis industry, influencing how security protocols are practically applied in facilities nationwide.

Acronyms & Terminology