What should a security officer's immediate action be when encountering a suspicious package?

When a security officer encounters a suspicious package, the immediate action should be to evacuate the surrounding area and alert authorities. This approach prioritizes safety and minimizes potential risks. Suspicious packages could contain harmful substances, explosives, or other dangerous materials, and handling the package directly can pose significant danger not just to the officer, but also to others in the vicinity.

By evacuating the area, the officer helps to ensure that individuals are kept away from any potential threat until professionals, such as bomb disposal units or local law enforcement, can assess the situation. Alerting authorities is crucial because they have the necessary training and equipment to deal with hazardous situations safely and effectively.

The other options, such as opening or moving the package, could potentially lead to dangerous situations and are not recommended practices. Ignoring the package would also constitute a failure to act responsibly in light of the risks posed by suspicious items.