Mumbai Security Glossary: PSARA, PSO, Post Orders, Reliever, SOP, QRT and More

Hiring a security agency means meeting terms such as PSARA, post orders and relievers. This glossary explains 20 of them in plain English, so you can read a quote or contract with confidence.

For how these terms show up when choosing an agency, see our 12-point scorecard and guide to how quotes are built.

Security terms explained

PSARA

The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. It requires private security agencies in India to be licensed and sets rules for guard verification and training.

PSO (Personal Security Officer)

A trained officer who protects one person or family, planning routes and controlling the surroundings. A PSO is different from a guard posted at a gate.

Post orders

A written document for one guard post that lists duties, checks, who to call and what to record. Good post orders make a guard effective from the first shift.

SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)

A written step-by-step routine for a task, such as visitor entry, night rounds or an emergency. SOPs make security consistent across shifts.

Reliever

A guard who covers a post when the regular guard is on a weekly off or leave. Without relievers a post goes empty or one guard is stretched across shifts.

Post

A fixed location that must be covered, such as a gate, lobby or basement. A 24-hour post needs several people across shifts.

Shift

A block of working hours for a guard, usually 8 or 12 hours. The shift pattern affects staffing and cost.

Supervisor / field officer

A person who visits posts, checks attendance and discipline, and handles problems. Regular visits are a key sign of a well-run contract.

Operations desk

The agency's control room that tracks attendance, answers calls and sends help. A 24/7 desk means someone always answers.

QRT (Quick Response Team)

A team or vehicle that reaches a site quickly during an emergency such as fire, intrusion or a medical event.

Visitor management

Recording and confirming everyone who enters a site, by register or app, so residents and staff know who is inside.

Access control

Rules and tools that decide who may enter an area, such as cards, turnstiles, passes and guard checks.

Patrol clock / patrol log

A device or sheet that proves a guard completed timed rounds at set checkpoints.

Principal employer

The client who engages a contractor, such as a security agency. In some laws the principal employer can be answerable if the contractor does not pay statutory dues.

EPF

Employees' Provident Fund, a retirement contribution that employer and employee both pay. Agencies should show proof of contributions for your guards.

ESIC

Employees' State Insurance Corporation, which provides medical and other benefits to eligible workers. Agencies should be registered and show contributions.

Police verification

A check of a person's identity, address and background by the police before deployment. Ask for it for every guard.

Armed guard / gunman

A guard permitted to carry a licensed firearm where rules allow. Licence conditions and site risk decide whether it is allowed.

Crowd management

Planning and controlling how people move and queue at events, temples and malls so crowds stay safe.

Site survey

A visit by a supervisor to study gates, risks and traffic before a post plan and quote are written.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important term to understand when hiring a security agency?

PSARA, because it is the law that requires agencies to be licensed. After that, learn post orders, relievers and supervision, which decide how reliable the service is.

What are post orders?

Post orders are a written document for one guard post that lists duties, checks, escalation contacts and what to record.

What is a reliever in security?

A reliever is a guard who covers a post when the regular guard is on a weekly off or leave.

What does PSO mean?

PSO stands for Personal Security Officer, a trained officer who protects a person or family rather than a fixed gate.