“How to Start a Security Company”
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Just wanted to add my two cents to this blog I have been working in the private security field for over 5 years. I have worked in both the Government and Private Industry so I have been exposed to all angles, first of all the Security Business is all about supply and demand then, who can afford to operate at the lowest costs and handle the most insurance risk. The truth is when you first start out you need to already have some established contacts in the field this will help with sales when you launch your firm. Then you must understand that security is all about stopping the potential of a risk to the client from theft,fire,etc. and to cover that risk you will need Insurance. To be able to bid on a contract for those nice commercial office buildings that are in most downtown areas you will need a minimum of one million dollars general liability to cover yourself and the client and some extra what is called Errors and Omissions to cover the client if your small security company can't meet the demands with staffing, and that is just unarmed with no patrol cars,weapons,etc. Insurance and cheap labor are the keys to success in the security industry people who own small company's that get large contracts already have contacts established in the field to help them out. Like most military or former government officials go into this line of work after retirement, but they already have contacts in the government. It is easy for them to get there company out ahead of yours because they are already well known, and most of the time come into the business with tons of cash up front. My advice is to examine the market where you live, most property management firms have budgets and security is at the end of the line. People don't respect our work or take it seriously until something massive happens and everybody is afraid. Just like the security boom after Sept 11. Start small become a private investigator first get some small insurance like 500,000 and build your business from there crawl,walk then run. It can be done but it takes time and you have to have a passion for it if you know nothing about the private security business trust me it will eat you alive. Focus on what will your Firm will specialize in be good at one service instead of trying to do a hundred different things people will respect you more. College has nothing to do with success in this business yes it is always great to get a education but that will not guarantee success in this business I can't tell you how many General Managers my company has hired right out of college and I end up doing there job because they have no clue about the industry. Most of the larger company's have been sold to overseas company's for large profits and the firms that are left have such a bad reputation and high turn over rates that they will hire anybody. Start small learn the Industry it took me many years to learn the business and I had to work for someone else and give 100% for a long time before I was comfortable to work for myself. It is not a get rich quick business. my email address is bbbthomas6@gmail.com if anyone has more questions.

Cape Town, South Africa. To start a security company in South Africa. U have to be registered with PSIRA (private security industry regulatory authority) graded A. Registering a business under your chosen name would cost about R1000 (including your petrol & traveling costs to the DTI) Thereafter u have to open a bank account for the registered company & an accounting officer has to be employed (either privately or accounting firm). Once this registration is complete, u can have a business plan drawn up for funding purposes. If u don't need to apply for funding u can go ahead & apply to PSIRA to open a security firm. U have to go through PSIRA or they will shut u down & lock u up for fraud. With your company registration, South African Revenue Services for taxation complete & your PSIRA Grade A in hand, u can apply by Psira for the opening of a security firm. Have R5000 for Psira registration & about R40000 in cash/funding for PSIRA requirements. This would include a fixed office with PSIRA requirement office equipment, such as fax machine, telephone lines, (there's more that they require) etc. It works out to around R40000 to satisfy them. The security industry is extremely lucrative in South Africa. Millionaires are made over 1 year from scratch. If u have no clue how to get a PSIRA grade A, contact me. I have a Grade A & 16 years experience as op's manager in the Security Industry including, Armed Reaction, Guard Supervisor, Inspector, Control Centre Manager, Project Leader, Special Op's Strategist. If u have the funds...i'm your man!!! Call Me +27762654782

@Lloyd Oliver, Thanks for your advise on opening a security company in SA.

This is for anyone who lives in Florida...starting a Security Company is not as hard as you would think, although you will need to have some background in security. You apply thru the Dept of Agriculture, Division of Licensing for your "B" Agency license and the "MB" license as you will probably manage your own business. Once you have these licenses' you then need to register as a business within your county. The hard part then is finding clients who need your service. Hope this helps

Listen up! It you want to start a security company bad enough you will. Go out there and get some training first depending on what you want to do. I recommend four years in the military (Ranger), then four years of college. After that take some courses in the private sector. I recommend a PPS course, PI, medical training (EMT), protective driving, weapons courses/license, combatives, and a second language. Good Luck J