diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/preferences.dm b/code/__DEFINES/preferences.dm
index d447e9fdb1c..1c105e523c9 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/preferences.dm
@@ -39,4 +39,11 @@
 
 #define PARALLAX_DELAY_DEFAULT world.tick_lag
 #define PARALLAX_DELAY_MED     1
-#define PARALLAX_DELAY_LOW     2
\ No newline at end of file
+#define PARALLAX_DELAY_LOW     2
+
+#define SEC_DEPT_NONE "None"
+#define SEC_DEPT_RANDOM "Random"
+#define SEC_DEPT_ENGINEERING "Engineering"
+#define SEC_DEPT_MEDICAL "Medical"
+#define SEC_DEPT_SCIENCE "Science"
+#define SEC_DEPT_SUPPLY "Supply"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/_globalvars/lists/flavor_misc.dm b/code/_globalvars/lists/flavor_misc.dm
index b2448a401f7..94828b680da 100644
--- a/code/_globalvars/lists/flavor_misc.dm
+++ b/code/_globalvars/lists/flavor_misc.dm
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ var/global/list/r_wings_list = list()
 var/global/list/ghost_forms_with_directions_list = list("ghost") //stores the ghost forms that support directional sprites
 var/global/list/ghost_forms_with_accessories_list = list("ghost") //stores the ghost forms that support hair and other such things
 
+var/global/list/security_depts_prefs = list(SEC_DEPT_RANDOM, SEC_DEPT_NONE, SEC_DEPT_ENGINEERING, SEC_DEPT_MEDICAL, SEC_DEPT_SCIENCE, SEC_DEPT_SUPPLY)
+
 	//Backpacks
 #define GBACKPACK "Grey Backpack"
 #define GSATCHEL "Grey Satchel"
diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index 368dbbf793e..d4014602ac2 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ var/list/preferences_datums = list()
 	var/list/features = list("mcolor" = "FFF", "tail_lizard" = "Smooth", "tail_human" = "None", "snout" = "Round", "horns" = "None", "ears" = "None", "wings" = "None", "frills" = "None", "spines" = "None", "body_markings" = "None", "legs" = "Normal Legs")
 
 	var/list/custom_names = list("clown", "mime", "ai", "cyborg", "religion", "deity")
-	var/prefered_security_department = "Random"
+	var/prefered_security_department = SEC_DEPT_RANDOM
 
 		//Mob preview
 	var/icon/preview_icon = null
@@ -1086,8 +1086,7 @@ var/list/preferences_datums = list()
 					else
 						user << "<font color='red'>Invalid name. Your name should be at least 2 and at most [MAX_NAME_LEN] characters long. It may only contain the characters A-Z, a-z, -, ' and .</font>"
 				if("sec_dept")
-					var/list/depts = list("Random", "None", "Engineering", "Medical", "Science", "Supply")
-					var/department = input(user, "Choose your prefered security department:", "Security Departments") as null|anything in depts
+					var/department = input(user, "Choose your prefered security department:", "Security Departments") as null|anything in security_depts_prefs
 					if(department)
 						prefered_security_department = department
 				if ("preferred_map")
diff --git a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/security.dm b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/security.dm
index b3768635d46..eb9d0e8214b 100644
--- a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/security.dm
+++ b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/security.dm
@@ -199,27 +199,26 @@ var/list/available_depts = list("Engineering", "Supply", "Medical", "Science")
 	var/list/dep_access = null
 	var/destination = null
 	var/spawn_point = null
-
 	switch(department)
-		if("Supply")
+		if(SEC_DEPT_SUPPLY)
 			ears = /obj/item/device/radio/headset/headset_sec/alt/department/supply
 			dep_access = list(access_mailsorting, access_mining, access_mining_station)
 			destination = /area/security/checkpoint/supply
 			spawn_point = locate(/obj/effect/landmark/start/depsec/supply) in department_security_spawns
 			tie = /obj/item/clothing/tie/armband/cargo
-		if("Engineering")
+		if(SEC_DEPT_ENGINEERING)
 			ears = /obj/item/device/radio/headset/headset_sec/alt/department/engi
 			dep_access = list(access_construction, access_engine)
 			destination = /area/security/checkpoint/engineering
 			spawn_point = locate(/obj/effect/landmark/start/depsec/engineering) in department_security_spawns
 			tie = /obj/item/clothing/tie/armband/engine
-		if("Medical")
+		if(SEC_DEPT_MEDICAL)
 			ears = /obj/item/device/radio/headset/headset_sec/alt/department/med
 			dep_access = list(access_medical)
 			destination = /area/security/checkpoint/medical
 			spawn_point = locate(/obj/effect/landmark/start/depsec/medical) in department_security_spawns
 			tie =  /obj/item/clothing/tie/armband/medblue
-		if("Science")
+		if(SEC_DEPT_SCIENCE)
 			ears = /obj/item/device/radio/headset/headset_sec/alt/department/sci
 			dep_access = list(access_research)
 			destination = /area/security/checkpoint/science