Kick-start your Security Business in 2025: A Step by Step Guide!

Key Takeaways

1. Choose a profitable niche (e.g. event, armed, unarmed)
2. Research demand and competitors in security guard services
3. Build a detailed business plan targeting “how to start a security business”
4. Invest in technology and qualified staff
5. Market using SEO and local strategies
6. Pilot, refine, and scale your security company startup

The things you regret most in life are the risks you didn’t take!

If you are considering starting a security company, this is the best time for it. With the rising threats and risks, more and more people are looking for security services that can be trusted to keep their businesses, properties, people, interests, and assets safe. The hike in security concerns has boosted the need for reliable security guard services and hence it is wise to set up a security business if you have the required resources.

Now you may ask what the required resources are and what it takes to set up a security business. Well, this step-by-step guide is made with the pure intent to help you understand the security industry in which you would operate as a player and also the nitty-gritty of starting a private security company. From knowing different security guard services to creating a security business plan, obtaining a security business license to ensuring all security business checks are done, the guide covers all aspects of security business setup.

Thinking about launching a private security company or offering security guard services? With rising concerns over safety, now is the perfect time to launch a security company startup. The global private security industry was valued at USD 4.62 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% between 2025 and 2030. This guide updates top-performing sources with easy-to-follow steps, real data, and SEO-focused structure to help your website rank for terms like “how to start a security business” and “security company near me.”

So, where do you start? Well, it is recommended that you start by understanding the different types of security services available in the market that you can offer. Here are the details!

1. Types of Security Guard services you can offer
2. Setting up a security Business: Let’s get started

• What security services will you offer?
• What will be the business model?
• What permits and licenses will you need?
• What will be your business plan?
• Where will you get the funds?
• What technology and equipment will you need?
• How will you market your business?

Types of Security Guard services you can offer:

One of the important aspects of setting up a security business is having a clear understanding of the security guard services available in the market. Depending upon the type of security services you choose to include in your security services business profile, your company will fall in one of the below-mentioned security company categories:

Personal Security

If you are willing to offer security services to individuals, you would fall under personal security. Providing security to a group of people or working as a bodyguard for an individual is a type of personal security.

Home security

Safeguarding the client’s property falls under this category. The security company here uses a range of security gadgets and technologies including cameras, motion sensors, heat sensors, and alarm systems.

Automobile security

Providing technology-based solutions for automobile security is another service vertical of the industry. Under this vertical, companies utilize GPS technology, biometric car locking systems, as well as car locking systems that work with a remote.

Event security

Providing security solutions to events, parties, and get together of personal, commercial, or political nature falls under this category.

Aviation security

Under this category, the company offers security services to check the luggage, passengers, and other personnel entering and exiting an airport.

Starting a private security company requires careful planning and preparation. There are many who will be googling “how to start a security company” but make sure you are not one of them when we have the whole list prepared in front of you. 

Here are some steps you can take to get started:

Conduct market research

Research the local market and identify potential clients and competitors. Determine the demand for security services in your area and assess the level of competition. Any security guard service company shall know which market they need to target to get the best leads. 

The first major step when investigating how to start a security business is choosing your niche. Do you plan to offer security guard services for residential complexes or start a high-end private security company specializing in armed security guard protection? Maybe you’re drawn to event security guards, or you prefer corporate site guarding.

Why niche choice matters: According to industry leader Connecteam, focusing on one area first helps hone your pricing, training, and marketing. For example, event security guards require expertise in crowd control and temporary setups, while private security companies targeting executive protection need serious vetting and ongoing training.

In a study by Belfry, 72% of clients prioritized real-time incident reporting and transparent guard logs when comparing private security companies (BelfrySoftware). If you target security guard services, emphasize modern features like mobile check-ins and patrol tracking on your website.

Develop a business plan

Create a detailed business plan that outlines your company’s goals, target market, services, pricing, marketing strategy, and financial projections. A business plan will help you determine the feasibility of your venture and secure funding if needed. Security businesses need to plan ahead and develop a plan before executing anything.

Your business plan is the roadmap that details how your security company startup will succeed financially and operationally.

Plan sections:

• Executive Summary: Your business vision and mission in the private security company space.
• Market Analysis: Insights on security guard services demand, local competitors, and pricing.
• Services Offered: Choose your niche—armed/unarmed, event, corporate—with descriptions and costs.
• Operations: Show how technology (guard tour apps, CCTV) supports your delivery of security guard services.
• Financial Forecasts: Project costs and revenue for a 3-year security company startup.
• Marketing Strategy: SEO plan to rank for “security company near me” and content like “how to start a security business.”

Real-world example: THERMS.io highlights that detailing 3-year projections and clear pricing for services like “armed security guard per hour at USD 25+” increases credibility when targeting entrepreneurs searching “how to start a security business” 

Register your business

Register your business and obtain the necessary licenses and permits required by your state and local government. This may include a security guard agency license, liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. You need to register your security guard business first and foremost to avoid any issues in the future. 

Registering your business and setting up finances underpins your legitimacy.

Steps include:

• Form a legal entity (LLC, corporation) named professionally to support the security company’s startup branding.
• Obtain an EIN so that banking and payroll reflect the security guard services operations.
• Open business bank accounts and establish working capital credit.

“A legally structured company not only secures trust but also optimizes searches for ‘security company near me’ online,” says SimproGroup. Each region has licensing needs for private security firms. This may include:

• Security agency license
• Registered guard licenses (especially for armed security guards)
• Liability, general & professional, and workers’ comp insurance

Budget guidance: Grants and license fees typically total USD 1,000–5,000; insurance premiums average USD 5,000–10,000 annually for small private security companies.

Hire qualified staff

Recruit and hire experienced and qualified security personnel. Conduct background checks, verify credentials, and provide training to ensure that your staff is well-prepared to provide quality security services. Security services companies need to hire qualified staff so that they can provide the best service possible.

Hiring the right team transforms your security company startup into a reputable brand.

Recruitment process:

• Clearly post jobs as “Security Guard Services – Armed/Unarmed”
• Screen for certifications and criminal history
• Offer testing or assessment tools

Training program:

• Include SOPs, equipment use, and emergency protocols
• Provide refresher training on escalation, de-escalation, and customer care
• Track progress digitally

Benchmark: Top event security guards employers report a 30% drop in on-site incidents when combining technical skill with soft-skill training.

Purchase equipment and supplies

Purchase the necessary equipment and supplies for your security business, such as uniforms, vehicles, communication devices, and security systems. Your security guard is going to need some equipment and supplies on him when he is patrolling the areas. 

Top security guard services firms are tech-enabled.

Essential gear:

• Uniforms & IDs
• Radios or rugged smartphones
• CCTV, motion sensors, access-control
• Software: guard-tour platforms, scheduling apps, payroll systems

Key software: Guard tour apps streamline work and enable features like GPS check-in, incident reporting, and audit trails—vital for “armed security guard” or event security guards. Studies show such systems cut missed patrols by 40%

Establish a pricing structure

Develop a pricing structure that is competitive and reflects the value of your services. Consider factors such as location, competition, and the level of service you provide. Be transparent about the pricing beforehand with the clients.

Understand your startup needs:

• License + legal: USD 1,500–5,000
• Insurance: USD 5,000–10,000/year
• Equipment per guard: USD 200–500
• Software/tech: USD 200–300/month (MoonInvoice)
• Marketing/site: USD 1,000+
• Salaries (3–6 months reserve)

Funding options:

• Personal capital
• Small business loans
• Angel investors or equity partners

Market your services

Develop a marketing strategy to promote your services and attract clients. This may include networking, advertising, and creating a website and social media presence. Your site needs to speak to searchers like “security company near me” and showcase private security company credentials.

Must-have elements:

• Clear header: “Professional Security Guard Services”
• Location pages optimized for SEO
• Blog articles: How to Start a Security Business
• Detailed service pages: event, residential, armed/unarmed
• Strong CTAs: “Get a Quote” / “Request a Pilot Security Guard Services”.

Starting a private security company requires a significant investment of time and resources. Seek the advice of industry experts and consult with a business attorney to ensure that you comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Execute Marketing to Elevate Your Security Company Startup

A multi-channel marketing plan boosts visibility.

Channels include:

• Google My Business: regularly update posts and photos
• Local SEO: optimized meta-tags for “security guard services near me”
• Content marketing: blog FAQs like “How to Start a Security Business”
• Social media: share case studies, guard tour updates, safety tips
• Networking: join chambers, pitch corporate contracts
• Referrals: offer incentives to clients who recommend your services
• Paid ads: target search terms like “armed security guard,” “event security guards,” and “private security company.”

Data point: Clients who added referral incentives grew contracted revenue by 20% within six months, per Belfry’s analysis.

Launch Pilot & Scale Your Private Security Company

Start small, learn fast, and expand.

Pilot steps:

• Sign contracts for 1–2 locations (e.g., a school or retail store)
• Track response times, patrol data, and incident logs
• Collect client feedback and adjust the service

Scaling your security company startup:

• Use pilot success to pitch new contracts
• Add contract-based “security guard services” across locations
• Automate bidding using pilot data
• Add adjacent niche services like CCTV monitoring

Setting up a security Business: Let’s get started

While the market for security services looks shiny from a distance, the stiff competition in the market is not easy to deal with. Setting up a security company is not as easy as you might have thought. From thorough market study and research to a solid security services business plan, understanding of the modern security needs of customers to the analysis of the security services companies already operating in the market, a lot goes into setting up a security guard company.

When you set up a security service business, there are several rules and specific demands of the local and national authorities to meet. Different areas/ counties/ districts may have different requirements and depending upon your choice of area, you must be able to fulfill the criteria. Here we have compiled a list of tips that would prove helpful for you in your quest to set up a security guard firm.

What security services will you offer?

As explained previously in this article, there are distinctive security services and you must choose the one you would like to offer. Although you can become a one-stop solution for security guard services and related services, it is recommended to start small at first. Depending on the services you choose to offer, you will have to obtain a security business license and fulfill other requirements. You can choose to offer aviation security or provide security solutions to businesses as per your capabilities. Conducting thorough research on the services, their demand, competition, and scope is important to make an informed decision.

What will be the business model?

The choice of security service business model decides your future as a security provider in the market there are several approaches that one can follow. Here are some significant examples of business models:

• Acquire an existing security service company and utilize the resources already available with it.
• Buy a security business franchise and operate with your manpower.
• Set up your security business from scratch and acquire and manage your resources.

What permits and licenses will you need?

As soon as you have decided on the security company business model, you must think of the licenses and permits you will need. Different requirements are depending on the state, nation, and special areas you prefer to deal in. There are different sets of laws, and acquiring the license and permits is crucial to operating as a legitimate security services company. For example, if you are setting up a security business firm in British Columbia, you must comply with the security industry licensing requirements. You can approach your state’s Attorney General to get a clear understanding of licenses and permits.

What will be your business plan?

A strategic security services business plan is the backbone of your establishment. The plan includes details of the market you will operate in, what customers you will deal with as well as the competitors you will fight against. The security guard business plan would be your guide to proceed toward a more profitable security business. Adding your expectations of business growth is also crucial along with the identification target market with ample potential clients. You must also study your competitors in details-what the business model they have, the business plan they follow, their pricing models, marketing strategies, the security business technologies they use, as well as service/s they offer. Finally, the business plan must have a detailed financial budget. The budget must include the cost of operations in the particular areas including the wages of security guards, cost of operations, security equipment required as well as licensing and insurance fees.

Where will you get the funds?

An essential part of your business setup would be the funds you have to fuel your business. You must be able to self-fund the business or have credible investors. Obtaining handsome working capital and reserve funds in advance is always recommended. It is noteworthy that self-funding is not an available option for most entrepreneurs. Hence, obtaining funds from lenders and banks is the right way. However, when you approach the lenders, make sure you are well-prepared with a presentation of your business plan as well as a great credit score.

What technology and equipment will you need?

Depending upon the type of services you prefer to offer, you will have to procure equipment and technology. For instance, if you are offering armed security services, you will have to procure arms and arms licenses. Similarly, for security at the gates and airports, you will need to invest in metal detectors, luggage scanners, and more. Also, automation is a modern requirement for many businesses. In terms of the security industry specifically, workforce management software is an important asset. The software allows you to monitor, track, and record, and evaluate your security guards and processes with minimal manual intervention. This saves you resources and at the same time boosts profitability.

How will you market your business?

The final step of the process to set up a security business is marketing. Nowadays, marketing plays a vital role in the success of any business. Top-notch security services combined with solid marketing strategies give you the desired boost in your business. For marketing, some of the essentials you must consider include:

• Business logo
• Business website
• Digital marketing plan
• Social media marketing

Some additional requirements:

There are several miscellaneous requirements that you will have to fulfill before you kick-start your business. This includes procuring an employee identification number (EIN), state tax identification number (TIN), a bank account in your company name, payment method, business insurance, payroll module, and more. It is not easy to set up a security business but with a systematic approach, it can be done in a hassle-free manner. Effective research and knowledge of licenses and permits play a crucial role. Additionally, you will also need funds and a marketing plan to succeed. Hope this guide proves helpful for you and you have a flourishing security business running in no time.