Undoubtedly, technology has vastly improved education and made things more convenient for everyone, and has also made important services and products more easily accessible. However, you should always be cautious about what websites you use, and especially which ones you give sensitive information to, such as financial information. The downside of technology is that it has made it easier for thieves and scammers to reach more people, and create more victims of scams. Caution should also be taken with websites you are looking to use for training, and if you are looking to get into the private security field in California, you should be particularly careful with any websites that claim to offer online Guard Card Training. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, which monitors and issues the State of California's Guard Cards, has information available on the requirements and procedures for acquiring your Guard Card, as well as a helpful database of certified organizations that you can enroll in. Always refer to the BSIS website before enrolling anywhere for your Guard Card and security permits, but here are some other helpful tips for avoiding getting scammed.   

 Verify the organization's license number.

 In order to offer State-certified classes, facilities are required by law to have a state license number. If you can’t find a license number on a company’s website, contact them and ask for it. From there, confirm its authenticity with a search on the BSIS website. Simply put, If a company does not have a license number, then the product they are offering is not in state compliance, and your guard card, which you paid for, will be invalid. This is the most important and useful tip for avoiding getting ripped off.

 Any place offering a online courses must also have a physical address.

 Before enrolling in any program, be sure to explore the company's website, and confirm they have a physical address and phone number. It would be a good idea to call and ask for the mailing address. If the organization has just a P.O. Box, that should be a red flag, and rather than digging deeper, it would be wise to simply look for another source for acquiring a Guard Card.

Websites that ask for your financial information should be protected by an SSL certificate. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and how it works is by establishing an encrypted link between the website and the client using it, so that no sensitive information is leaked to a 3rd party.

Make sure the website is secure before sending financial information. 

These are common sense tips, but their importance cannot be overstated. If you are going to establish a career in the security industry, you need to get your Guard Card from a reputable organization that meets BSIS requirements and standards. Your training is imperative to determining your career options, and you can be sure that any potential employers will do their own investigating of your background, so it is crucial that you seek out the best training options available to you from a reputable organization. While online training is a highly attractive convenience, it is not always the best route, and it is certainly not always the best launching pad for a fulfilling career.