How to Start a Security Company

With concerns about crime and terrorism on the rise, the demand for private security services is increasing, so it's no wonder you want to enter this field. To start a business in this field, decide on a niche, such as personal security or event security, then write a business plan and work on funding, such as a small business loan. Purchase liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to cover your business and prepare for gaining a state license. Set up your LLC, and then send an application into your state government for licensing; keep in mind, you'll need to meet certain requirements to be a manager of security business, such as having a set number of years of experience in the field. You may also need to pass an exam.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Personal Security Business

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    Hire employees with a military or police background. Typically, you'll need employees who can work for you full-time, not as a part-time job. That means, you'll need to recruit people who are looking to transition out of these careers and into a new, possibly less stressful career.[1]
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    Assist with state training and licenses. Most states require that security guards have a certain amount of state-approved training, along with extra training if you want to arm them. Then, they must pass an exam and gain a security officer license.[2]
    • Most states also require that drivers have a private patrol operator license.
    • Check the age requirements for your state, as some require that body guards be over 21 or 25.[3]
    • Part of this process will also include running a background check on your potential employees.
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    Train your employees to be unobtrusive. As personal body guards, your employees' job will typically be to melt into the background. That is, no one wants to feel like they're being watched all the time, even when they're paying someone to do it, so a personal security guard has to be there without making themselves stand out.[4]
    • For instance, work on training your employees to be silent unless spoken to, as that helps them blend into the background.
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    Establish your web presence with a website. People looking to hire a personal security guard will want to see a professional, well-put together website. If you don't have the skills to do it, it's best to hire someone who can make it look clean and professional.
    • While you can also establish a social media presence, make sure to keep all your interactions professional and discreet.
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    Place advertisements in places the affluent will see. Most likely, your main clients will be the affluent and local celebrities. Purchase space in the country club's newsletter, for instance, or on high-end real estate websites. Hit other avenues, as well, such as your local newspaper and news stations.
    • Of course, word-of-mouth is even better, so once you establish some clients, make sure to treat them to the best service. Then they will recommend you to their friends and family.[5]
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    Advertise for short assignments, too. While affluent people and celebrities may want long-term body guards, some affluent people may just want body guards for short-term projects. If you can fill that niche, it can be a significant portion of your business.[6]
    • For instance, one side of a divorcing couple may want a body guard for a month or two to feel safe from their spouse.
    • Another person may just want a body guard when transporting a piece of expensive art to their home.
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    Help your clients make the adjustment. Personal security is a big lifestyle change if the person has never had it before. Try to be as accommodating and unobtrusive as possible as your client makes the adjustment, and work to answer any questions they may have.[7]
    • Discuss all the arrangements ahead of time. Try to incorporate them in small steps, not all at once, which can feel overwhelming.
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    Be flexible in your approach. When you're entering someone's life, obstacles are going to come up. You and your guards will need to be able to adapt and change to what your client needs, especially since you are in their private life.[8]
    • For example, if a client's kids wants to go "without guards" in a store, you can set up an arrangement with the store where you have guards come in wearing the store's shirts. That way, the kids won't know the difference, but your client still feels like they're safe and secure.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Special Event Security Business

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    Hire off-duty police officers. People who already have a background in security and safety professions, like police officers, make great employees for an event security business. Plus, many police officers want to work a second job to make ends meet.[9]
    • Retired military personnel are also a good choice.
    • Make sure you hire a large pool of employees. If many of your employees are working second jobs, they'll often have conflicts with dates you want them to work for special events, so you'll need a large number of employees to make sure you can cover your bases.
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    Run a background check on your potential employees. Most states have certain requirements for your hiring practices. For instance, you may be required to run a background check on anyone you hire to look for criminal activity that may impede their ability to provide security services.[10]
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    Ensure your employees pass the required training and gain a license. Most states require that security guards have a certain amount of training before they begin their duties. Typically, this training must be completed at a school approved by the state, and then the student must pass an exam to gain a license.[11]
    • Similarly, if you want to arm your employees, states often require that they have even more training. For instance, Texas requires that they be commissioned security officers, which involves passing several exams, including a firearm proficiency exam.[12]
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    Check to see if your employees need a private patrol operator's license. Some states require all security officers who drive for the company to have a special license. California, for instance, requires this permit, even if you hired police officers for your employees.[13]
    • Look at your state laws to see if they require this permit.
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    Contact local event planners in your area to market your business. You can find events through social media, your local newspaper, and local events calendars. Use the internet to track down the event planners, and contact them with information about your business.[14]
    • Be ready to discuss how your security business can help and how it stands out from other security businesses in the area.
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    Market your business on social media. Because so many special events are marketed on social media, it's important to establish your business there. Build a presence on social media by creating business profiles for yourself and posting regularly. Keep in mind that your posts shouldn't just be about gaining business. Some should offer helpful tips and advice or draw your audience in with fun games or trivia related to security.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Home Security Business

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    Consider franchising from an established corporation. Unlike other security companies, home security company has major players across the country. Because brand recognition is important in this field, you might do better opening a franchise with an established corporation. As a bonus, they will have the materials and background to help get your business off the ground.[15]
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    Research and purchase the supplies you need for home monitoring. For a home security company, you'll need supplies like motion detectors, cameras, digital locks, alarm panels, and window alarms. You don't need to start from scratch. Work with a distributor or even a manufacturer to find an appropriate system for your company.
    • Do your research on the company. Narrow down your choices on the internet, then contact the few you've selected. Talk to them over the phone about your business. Once you decide on one or two, consider visiting the company in person to learn more about the company.
    • Consider other supplies you may need to buy, such as firearms, employee uniforms, and computers for monitoring the network.
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    Establish your home monitoring network. Decide on the software you will use for home monitoring. Often, the distributor or manufacturer who sells you the equipment will be able to sell you the software you need to monitor your network of homes.[16]
    • If not, research appropriate software online.
    • Keep in mind, your employees will need to be trained in whatever software you choose.
    • If you're not ready to do the monitoring yourself, you can outsource monitoring to another company. In that case, your main source of income would be installing the equipment in client's homes.
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    Hire technicians to put in the equipment. When you're running a home security business, you won't just have security guards on staff. You'll also need people who are able to install the home security equipment in people's homes.
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    Make sure your employees are licensed with the state. Just like any other kind of security business, your employees must have security guard licenses in most states, even if they're just watching home monitors and alarm systems. They will need to go through state-approved training, as well as pass exams to gain their licenses.[17] Alarm installing technicians will also need licensing in most states.[18]
    • If your employees are armed, they will need extra licensing.
    • Check to see if your employees need a private patrol operator license to drive vehicles for your company, such as when responding to a alarm call.[19]
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    Advertise to middle class and upper middle class families. To require a home monitoring system, the client must have something they want to protect and the means to pay for it. That means that poorer neighborhoods are typically not a good target audience, as paying for a security system is generally not a priority.[20]
    • Place advertisements in areas your target audience will see, such as school newsletters, country club newsletters, and your local newspaper.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Cyber Security Company

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    Focus on a real problem you can solve. Cyber security companies cover a wide range of issues, and you have to stand out from the crowd. To do that, you need to find a niche, which means figuring out a problem that few others are working on and finding a solution to that problem.[21]
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    Hire domain and technical experts. If you don't have the technical expertise (and even if you do), you need domain and technical experts to help you solve problems. Whether you're implementing a solution you came up with or starting from scratch to solve a problem, you will need technical support to back you up.[22]
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    Show your clients how you can solve their problems. Your clients will be getting sales pitches from all kinds of companies, and you have to show how you're different. Use data and even real-time demonstrations for clients to see how your product can protect them against hacking and other malicious internet attacks.[23]
    • One tactic you can take is to show companies where they are vulnerable and then tell them how they can fix the problem.
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    Establish how you're different from other products. Many companies employ a variety of cyber security options to fill their needs. Therefore, if you can show where you add value, those companies will be willing to add you, too.[24]
    • You can show you're different through things like your products' features or usability or your pricing.
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    Pitch your cyber security to local businesses. Your clients for this type of security will primarily be businesses, not individuals. Focus on landing smaller businesses first, then work your way up the ladder to larger businesses.[25]
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Community Q&A
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  • Question
    How much does it cost to start a security company?
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    The upfront cost is typically around $10,000, but you’ll also need to pay for insurance (which may cost up to around $6000 per year). Other costs include licensing, office space, uniforms and other gear, and salaries and training costs for your guards.
  • Question
    How do security companies get clients?
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    In addition to advertising in local papers and business directories, you can also reach people by word of mouth. Attending trade seminars and industry events is also a good way to network and meet people who can help you connect with clients.
  • Question
    How much should I charge for security services?
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    To determine this, you’ll need to factor in things like the hourly rate you pay your guards as well as other expenses, such as training and equipment costs. Calculate the percentage of the profit you’d like to make and add it onto those costs. Keep in mind that you will be competing with other companies in your area, so do some research to find out what they charge for equivalent services and price accordingly.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/special-event-security
  2. ↑ https://dos.ny.gov/security-guard-training-requirements
  3. ↑ https://www.securitydegreehub.com/what-are-the-requirements-to-start-my-own-security-company/
  4. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-of-bodyguards-executive-security-2012-1#full-time-bodyguard-1000-1500-per-day-6
  5. ↑ https://www.securitydegreehub.com/what-are-the-requirements-to-start-my-own-security-company/
  6. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/business/personal-business-not-just-for-celebrities-private-security-service.html
  7. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/business/personal-business-not-just-for-celebrities-private-security-service.html
  8. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/business/personal-business-not-just-for-celebrities-private-security-service.html
  9. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/special-event-security
  1. ↑ https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.1702.htm
  2. ↑ https://dos.ny.gov/security-guard-training-requirements
  3. ↑ https://www.dps.texas.gov/RSD/PSB/Testingindex.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.securitydegreehub.com/what-are-the-requirements-to-start-my-own-security-company/
  5. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/businessideas/special-event-security
  6. ↑ https://www.franchisegator.com/industries/home-services-franchises/alarm-security/
  7. ↑ https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/home-security
  8. ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/PS/Pages/psbusiness.aspx
  9. ↑ https://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/alarm_companies.shtml
  10. ↑ https://www.securitydegreehub.com/what-are-the-requirements-to-start-my-own-security-company/
  11. ↑ https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/home-security
  12. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/01/inside-a-cybersecurity-start-up.html
  13. ↑ https://www.information-age.com/four-qualities-successful-cyber-security-start-123461243/
  14. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/01/inside-a-cybersecurity-start-up.html
  15. ↑ https://www.information-age.com/four-qualities-successful-cyber-security-start-123461243/
  16. ↑ https://www.information-age.com/four-qualities-successful-cyber-security-start-123461243/
  17. ↑ https://dopl.utah.gov/sec/ce_for_security_professionals.pdf

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 568,166 times.
12 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 21
Updated: February 14, 2023
Views: 568,166
Categories: Business by Industry
Article SummaryX

To start a security company, make a business plan that outlines the focus of your company, including a marketing strategy, organization and management plans, and your financial plans. Be sure to purchase liability and worker's compensation insurance, and find a convenient location for your business that will be close to your clients. Set up an LLC with your state, and check your local laws to apply for a license for your business. If necessary, take the exam to become certified as a security company manager. For tips on obtaining your license and running your business smoothly, read on!

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