Security companies have never been in higher demand with the end of COVID-19 restrictions coinciding with a major rise in criminal activity.
The threats to business in particular have increased dramatically as they return to the physical workplace, and many are turning to professional help to help them keep their staff, property, and assets safe.
From manned guarding to remote CCTV monitoring, the security industry is thriving and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
A great time then, to start your very own security company, supplying all the services that these businesses could possibly need? Well, potentially, yes, but this is not an industry to enter into without serious consideration.
A huge amount of knowledge and expertise is required to be successful in the security sector, and whilst there might not be the same barriers to entry as there are in other fields, being successful over a sustained period of time is incredibly difficult.
Far from impossible, however, and for the right person the security industry is prime for growth, being one of the very few sectors relatively unaffected by the current economic emergency.
If you think that you could be the perfect person to thrive in this incredibly competitive but rewarding environment and start your own security company, read on to learn more about the type of services you will be expected to provide, the equipment you will need, and the regulations that you will be required to comply with.
What type of security company do you want to start?
The first question that you need to ask yourself when starting a security company is what area to your want to specialise in. Far too many security companies try to do it all too soon, end up being mediocre at best and falling by the way side.
In general, there are three main types of security company. These are Private security businesses who provide guards, CCTV, alarm systems etc, Security consultancies who work with company’s or individuals to identify and manage risk, and cyber security companies who focus on protecting a companies money and information from online threats.
Most people who are interested in starting their own security company are thinking of a private security company, and this will indeed be the main focus of this article, but if you specialise in online security, there is a massive and ever growing market for cyber security that could be perfect for you.
What services do private security companies provide?
The more services that you offer, the more attractive that you will be to a wide range of business and individual clients. However, each service requires relevant licencing, staff, and equipment meaning that if you are starting your business with a limited budget, your best option is to pick one, become exceptional at it, and expand from there.
Just some of the services that are offered by major security companies that you might wish to base your start up on include:
- Manned guarding – The provision of SIA licensed security officers to businesses looking to protect their properties from criminal activity.
- Bodyguarding – The protection of individuals who are at a higher than average risk of coming under threat
- Key holding – Using a set of keys provided by a business to carry out certain tasks on site on their behalf including responding to alarms, conducting patrols, and opening and closing the premises.
- CCTV – The installation and monitoring of CCTV systems allows businesses to have an expert eye observing their entire site. This is not only effective for identifying and dealing with criminal activity, but can also be used to track project progress and ensure that health and safety protocols are being followed.
- Event security – Some security companies focus solely on keeping event attendees safe during concerts, sports matches, business/political conferences, and more. This is one of the more specialist areas of the security industry due to the unique threats posed by a larger number of people gathering in a single location at the same time.
If you are looking to specialise even further and really carve out your own niche, you could look to focus on a single type of client such as celebrities, businesses, hotels, or the public sector.
If you have worked in one of these areas before, you have an advantage as you will already have built a knowledge about the type of threats these clients are likely to face and ensure that you are able to offer services that effectively mitigate them.
The security agencies Leeds industry is ever-growing but it is also highly competitive so make sure that you are in a position to stand out from the competition before launching. You will often have to compete with other firms for contracts and profitable jobs and the only way to ensure that you are chosen is to ensure that you offer a superior service at a great price.
