A guard tour system comprising a computer running a computer program that enables a variety of electronic hardware components to function as the guard tour system. It is contemplated that the computer program be multi-user and/or network compatible. The electronic hardware includes one or more touch button readers, or one or more positioning system receivers (such as a global or local positioning system receiver), or both; one or more downloaders for use with the touch button readers and global positioning system receivers; and optionally a plurality of touch memory buttons located along a guard tour. Each touch memory button includes preprogrammed information specific to its particular location. As a guard or night watchman progresses through the guard tour he or she either obtains a global positioning system location reading manually or automatically or reads the information stored within each touch memory button or both, using a hand-held, battery operated reader. The Global Positioning System allows for collection of various guard positioning information.