Ireland Security Guard Practice Test (PSA) 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 22

   Under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, what is the offence in section 13?

   • ARefusing to give a name and address to a licensed security guard who asks for it
   • BSelling alcohol outside licensed opening hours
   • CTrespassing on a building in a way likely to cause fear in another person
   • DParking on a footpath outside a building
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Trespassing on a building in a way likely to cause fear in another person

   Section 13 makes trespass that causes or is likely to cause fear an offence. Simple trespass is often a civil matter.

2. Question 2 of 22

   A person is on private property without permission but is causing no harm. What should a security guard usually do first?

   • APolitely tell them they do not have permission to be there and ask them to leave
   • BArrest them immediately
   • CHold them in a locked room until the Gardaí arrive and can deal with the matter fully
   • DTake their phone and wallet
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Politely tell them they do not have permission to be there and ask them to leave

   Trespass is often a civil matter. Asking the person to leave is the first step. Call the Gardaí if there is a crime or a threat.

3. Question 3 of 22

   Which body regulates data protection, including CCTV, in Ireland?

   • AThe Courts Service
   • BThe Health and Safety Authority
   • CThe Private Security Authority
   • DThe Data Protection Commission (DPC)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The Data Protection Commission (DPC)

   The DPC enforces the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in Ireland and publishes guidance on CCTV.

4. Question 4 of 22

   According to DPC guidance, what should a CCTV sign show?

   • AThe names and licence numbers of every guard who watches the screens
   • BNothing, because CCTV signs are optional
   • CThe purpose of the system and who operates it, with contact details
   • DThe make and model of the cameras used
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The purpose of the system and who operates it, with contact details

   Signs should be easy to read, well lit and in prominent places, stating the purpose and the controller's identity and contact details.

5. Question 5 of 22

   According to DPC guidance, how long can footage from a normal security CCTV system usually be kept?

   • AAt least 5 years, in case of insurance claims or legal action later
   • BExactly 24 hours, whatever it shows
   • CForever, in case it is ever useful
   • DUsually no longer than one month, unless it shows an incident
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Usually no longer than one month, unless it shows an incident

   The law sets no fixed period, but retention must be justified and as short as possible. Footage of an incident may be kept longer, stored securely.

6. Question 6 of 22

   A person makes an access request for CCTV footage of themselves. How long does the controller normally have to respond?

   • AOne year
   • BSix months
   • COne month
   • DOne week
   Show answer

   Answer: C. One month

   Controllers must normally respond within one month and must not delete the footage until the request is dealt with.

7. Question 7 of 22

   What should usually happen before CCTV footage is given to An Garda Síochána?

   • AA formal written request stating that a criminal matter is being investigated, with a record kept
   • BThe person in the footage must first give written consent to the release
   • CNothing; footage can be given to anyone in uniform
   • DA court trial must be finished first
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A formal written request stating that a criminal matter is being investigated, with a record kept

   In urgent cases a verbal request may do, but it should be followed up in writing. Controllers should record every request and disclosure.

8. Question 8 of 22

   According to DPC guidance, when is covert (hidden) CCTV allowed?

   • AAs a normal way to check staff performance
   • BWhenever the employer wants to check that staff are working hard enough
   • COnly in exceptional cases to prevent, detect or investigate offences
   • DIn staff toilets and changing rooms
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Only in exceptional cases to prevent, detect or investigate offences

   Covert recording is generally unlawful. Where allowed, it needs a written policy, must be focused and short, and needs a DPIA first.

9. Question 9 of 22

   Is it usually appropriate to use CCTV to monitor staff attendance and work performance?

   • AYes, it is the main purpose of CCTV
   • BYes, as long as the cameras are placed in staff break rooms
   • CNo, the DPC says this is generally not appropriate
   • DYes, but only in toilets
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, the DPC says this is generally not appropriate

   Monitoring staff is highly intrusive. Cameras should avoid break rooms, changing rooms and toilets.

10. Question 10 of 22

    Which law sets out duties of employers and employees for safety at work in Ireland?

    • AThe Private Security Services Act 2004
    • BThe Equal Status Act 2000
    • CThe Criminal Law Act 1997
    • DThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

    The 2005 Act requires employers to manage risks and employees to take reasonable care of themselves and others.

11. Question 11 of 22

    Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which is an employee's duty?

    • ATo write and sign the employer's safety statement and risk assessments
    • BTo ignore hazards that are not in their job description
    • CTo take reasonable care to protect their own safety and that of others, and to report hazards
    • DTo pay for their own safety training
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To take reasonable care to protect their own safety and that of others, and to report hazards

    Employees must take reasonable care, co-operate with their employer, not be under the influence of intoxicants at work and report defects or dangers.

12. Question 12 of 22

    Which body enforces workplace safety law in Ireland?

    • AThe Private Security Authority
    • BThe Revenue Commissioners
    • CThe Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
    • DThe Data Protection Commission
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

    The HSA is the national body for workplace safety and health.

13. Question 13 of 22

    Which document must every employer in Ireland have, setting out how safety and health will be managed?

    • AA data protection impact assessment
    • BA premises licence
    • CA safety statement
    • DA guard's notebook
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A safety statement

    Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires a written safety statement based on a risk assessment.

14. Question 14 of 22

    How many discrimination grounds are in the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018 for providing goods and services?

    • A3
    • B5
    • C9
    • D12
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 9

    The grounds are gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the Traveller community.

15. Question 15 of 22

    A guard refuses entry to a customer because they are a member of the Traveller community. What is this?

    • ANormal security practice
    • BUnlawful discrimination under the Equal Status Acts
    • CRequired by PSA rules
    • DAllowed if the venue is busy and the guard explains the reason
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unlawful discrimination under the Equal Status Acts

    Membership of the Traveller community is one of the nine protected grounds. Refusals must be based on behaviour, not identity.

16. Question 16 of 22

    Which emergency numbers can be used in Ireland?

    • A911 only
    • B112 or 999
    • C101 only
    • D111 only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 112 or 999

    Both 112 and 999 reach the Gardaí, ambulance, fire and coast guard services.

17. Question 17 of 22

    The QQI Security Guarding Skills award covers the difference between which two retail roles?

    • AA retail security guard and a store detective
    • BA shop manager and a delivery driver who brings stock
    • CA cashier and a cleaner
    • DA Garda and a judge
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A retail security guard and a store detective

    Learning outcome 2.10 compares the role of a retail security guard with that of a store detective.

18. Question 18 of 22

    According to the QQI award, a guard should understand court procedures because:

    • AThey need to sit on juries
    • BThey will act as a judge in minor cases
    • CThey must prosecute offenders themselves in the District Court after an arrest
    • DThey may have to give evidence as a witness about incidents they dealt with
    Show answer

    Answer: D. They may have to give evidence as a witness about incidents they dealt with

    The award covers court proceedings and the procedures for appearing as a witness, so accurate notes and reports are vital.

19. Question 19 of 22

    Which key-handling practice is correct for a security guard?

    • AGive keys to any staff member in uniform who asks for them, to save time at the gate
    • BSign keys out and in using a key register and report any missing keys at once
    • CLeave keys in the door so staff can get in
    • DTake keys home at the end of each shift
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sign keys out and in using a key register and report any missing keys at once

    The QQI award includes key handling procedures. A key register shows who has each key and when.

20. Question 20 of 22

    The QQI Security Guarding Skills award includes the role of a guard at events. Which topic goes with this?

    • ARunning the bar
    • BBooking bands, performers and other acts for the event
    • CSelling tickets online
    • DThe principles of effective crowd control
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The principles of effective crowd control

    The award covers event security and crowd control, including the factors that affect crowd behaviour and working with other agencies.

21. Question 21 of 22

    The QQI award teaches three security principles: prevention, protection and what else?

    • AProsecution
    • BDetection
    • CPunishment
    • DPromotion
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Detection

    Prevention, protection and detection describe how guards stop incidents, protect people and property, and spot problems early.

22. Question 22 of 22

    According to DPC guidance, what is the usual legal basis for a business's security CCTV?

    • AA warrant issued to the business owner by the Gardaí each year
    • BLegitimate interests, balanced against people's rights
    • CWritten consent from every person filmed
    • DThe guard's PSA licence
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Legitimate interests, balanced against people's rights

    Consent is unlikely to work for most CCTV. Controllers can rely on legitimate interests if the processing is necessary and not disproportionate.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Pass is 50% or more, and both the theory exam and the skills demonstration must be passed