Security Courses

A woman wearing a black jacket and bright orange safety vest standing in line outdoors, smiling, with other people wearing masks behind her.
Two men standing outdoors in front of a vineyard and a large tree with a blue sign behind them. Both are wearing black shirts with a logo and sunglasses.
Two men kneel on each side of a seated man, holding his hands, in a gym or physical therapy setting. The seated man has his head down and looks serious, wearing a black Venum T-shirt, black shorts, and sneakers. The man on the left wears a white T-shirt, gray pants, and sneakers, and appears to be speaking. The man on the right wears a gray T-shirt with red and blue lettering, black shorts, and sneakers, with glasses.
Back of a security guard wearing a black shirt with 'WDS SECURITY' written on the back, outside on a sunny day with a green yard and parked cars in the background.

Designed for those looking to work in the security sector, or those already in it, who want to extend their knowledge to keep themselves and others even safer. We are recognised as NZ’s leading expert in security defensive concepts & tactics training. After identifying a great need in the industry for specific training, we worked as consultants to develop the current security training within New Zealand, which is based on our programmes.

Our security courses are the next level up and are designed to be fit for purpose. They combine a common-sense approach with practical concepts based on instinctive responses easily recalled under stress. Designed so security officers can work alongside government security agencies (Police, Ministry of Justice, etc.). These courses cover those working on their own, as a team member and at night. The point of difference in training with HardTarget is that we not only provide the content of the course but also an insight into how the content will realistically work in real-time environments. 

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The Courses

Security Guard Foundation Course (online)

Our online foundation course is a great place to start your journey. It includes basic knowledge, concepts and ideas for new personnel or to refresh. You will learn to understand issues relating to due care, legal liability considerations within all concepts, relevant and up-to-date content as we have been delivering to key government security agencies, a promise of well-researched, uniquely designed and succinctly delivered video tutorials and access to our Facebook group for the security industry. The best opportunity there is for learning everything you need to know about keeping safe on the job is right here, right now. We provide certification for you to prove you have completed the convenient online training from the proven industry leader.

This course will cover:

  • Understanding of legislation

  • Tactical communication

  • Body language & projection

  • Weapon awareness

  • Team work

  • Tactical awareness

Defensive Concepts & Tactics Instructors Course

Be an instructor. Our main aim for this programme is to ensure that any instructors who qualify through us will be confident, effective, efficient and fully supported. We are passionate about making the security industry safer. We truly believe this starts when those attending their security course receive the best training available so that they can use the knowledge and skills to truly be safer in the community, and that responsibility falls into the hands of great instructors.

We have designed, developed and implemented instructor courses for our partners since 1999. We provide instructors with a delivery programme system that is proven, tested and flexible in delivery style. Our national training programme is inline with the best practices and procedures of other government security agencies.

This course is delivered by Quinton Swanson in person by request only. Note that it is designed for a subject matter confident instructor, and a pre-course assessment may be required to check suitability.

This course will cover:

  • course content

  • course delivery system

  • certification programme

  • full support

  • online instructor library (with certification)

  • covers instructor liabilities

  • annual re-certification required

  • access to a Facebook Instructor Group

  • instructional technique

  • course design & development

  • instructional assessment & evaluation

  • safe & best practice

  • instructional liabilities

Defensive Concepts & Tactics Course

These courses are held onsite in a venue most convenient to the agency and its staff. They are designed fit for purpose to suit the participants’ requirements and may be core skills or a follow-on from our online course.  

Our trainers have all been operators and have a huge passion to provide the best instruction to those they train.  We believe in our training and provide full support.

This course will cover:

  • Basic knowledge & concepts

  • Control and restraint

  • Ground defence

  • Weapon defence

  • Escape & evasion

  • Due care concepts

  • Real-time scenario-based training

  • "It was top quality and the boys are going to have skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. We will be using HardTarget again in the future."

    Justin Moroney, WDS

  • "Great for core skills! Awesome! I used a lot of this with my store detective position a few years ago so it has been a great refresher and learning new skills as well. Thank you so much HardTarget."

    Jan, Online Security Course

  • “I thought the visual search part was superb. That constantly looking is vital to keep yourself and your team safe."

    Paul, Online Security Course

  • “Five star rating! Clear and helpful. Thanks, this course was great. Nice video outlines."

    Hayden, Online Security Course