10 Best Security Guard Staffing Companies for 2026 (Ranked)

Key takeaway: The 10 best security guard staffing companies for 2026 are: Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld, Prosegur, Inter-Con Security, Protos Security, Sunstates Security, Walden Security, Marksman Security, and Andy Frain Services. Allied Universal and Securitas dominate national and multi-site contracts; GardaWorld and Prosegur add global reach and cash-in-transit; Inter-Con, Sunstates, Walden, and Marksman are strong regional and specialty providers; Protos manages multi-site programs through vetted local firms; Andy Frain leads for event and venue security staffing.

Security guard staffing companies, usually called contract security providers, recruit, license, train, schedule, and supervise armed and unarmed security officers for corporate campuses, hospitals, retail, logistics, residential, government, and events. The client pays an hourly bill rate per post and the provider carries licensing, insurance, uniforms, and the constant recruiting required by one of the highest-turnover occupations in the country.

Demand is steady and the workforce churns. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts about 1.2 million security guards in the United States and projects roughly 152,000 openings a year through 2033, mostly from turnover, and industry analyst Robert H. Perry & Associates estimates the US contract security market at roughly $36 billion a year, with the two largest providers holding well over a third of it. Annual officer turnover above 100 percent is commonly reported at contract firms, which makes recruiting capacity the real product.

This list ranks providers by officer recruiting and training, licensing and compliance, geographic coverage, technology, and pricing clarity. For federal and public sector staffing, see our government staffing agencies list; for event crowd management, see event staffing agencies.

How did we evaluate security guard staffing companies?

The 10 companies at a glance

The 10 best security guard staffing companies

1. Allied Universal

Type: Contract security services, technology, and event services Headquarters: Conshohocken, PA and Irvine, CA Best for: National and multi-site enterprises that want the largest security provider in North America with integrated technology

Allied Universal is the largest security services company in North America and one of the largest private employers in the world, providing security officers, event services, technology, risk consulting, and janitorial services. It serves corporate, healthcare, logistics, retail, residential, and government clients and has the recruiting infrastructure to staff thousands of posts.

Strengths:

• Largest officer workforce and branch network
• Integrated security technology and remote monitoring
• Event services and specialty divisions

Limitations:

• Scale can mean impersonal account management
• Officer turnover and quality vary by branch

2. Securitas

Type: Global security services and technology Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden (US: Parsippany, NJ) Best for: Multinationals that want one provider for guarding, electronic security, and remote monitoring across countries

Securitas is the second largest security services company in the United States and a global leader, combining on-site officers with electronic security, remote video monitoring, and risk management. Its US business serves corporate, manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure clients and has invested heavily in technology-enabled guarding.

Strengths:

• Global coverage and standardized processes
• Strong technology and remote guarding offerings
• Deep critical infrastructure experience

Limitations:

• Enterprise orientation
• Premium pricing

3. GardaWorld

Type: Security services, cash services, and risk management Headquarters: Montreal, QC Best for: Organizations that need security officers plus cash-in-transit, ATM, and crisis response services across North America

GardaWorld is the largest privately owned security company in the world, providing security officers, cash services, and risk and crisis management across the US and Canada, with growth through acquisitions of regional US guard companies. It is a strong alternative to the two largest providers for national accounts.

Strengths:

• Large and growing US footprint through acquisitions
• Cash services and crisis management alongside guarding
• Privately owned with long-term focus

Limitations:

• Integration of acquired regional firms varies
• Smaller US officer base than Allied or Securitas

4. Prosegur

Type: Security services and technology Headquarters: Madrid, Spain (US: Herndon, VA) Best for: Retail, logistics, and corporate clients that want a technology-forward provider with global reach

Prosegur is a global security company with a growing US business that provides security officers, electronic security, and remote monitoring, with particular strength in retail and logistics loss prevention. It positions itself on technology-integrated guarding and has expanded in the US through acquisitions.

Strengths:

• Technology-integrated guarding and monitoring
• Retail and logistics security depth
• Global reach for multinational clients

Limitations:

• Smaller US branch network
• Brand less known in the US than in Europe and Latin America

5. Inter-Con Security

Type: Security services for government, utilities, and corporate Headquarters: Pasadena, CA Best for: Government agencies, utilities, and critical infrastructure that want a large privately held provider with cleared officers

Inter-Con Security is one of the largest privately held security companies in the US, with a long record of government, embassy, utility, and critical infrastructure contracts in addition to commercial and healthcare work. It is known for armed and cleared officer programs and compliance-heavy accounts.

Strengths:

• Government and critical infrastructure expertise
• Armed and cleared officer programs
• Privately held with stable leadership

Limitations:

• Less retail and small commercial focus
• West Coast concentration for commercial work

6. Protos Security

Type: Managed security services and vendor management Headquarters: Daleville, VA Best for: Retailers and multi-site companies that want one contract managing hundreds of vetted local guard companies with consistent reporting

Protos Security is a managed security services provider that acts as a single vendor for multi-site clients, placing and supervising officers through a vetted national network of local security companies and its own technology for scheduling, incident reporting, and billing. It is a common choice for retailers and distribution networks that want local guard quality with national account management.

Strengths:

• Single contract across many markets
• Technology for scheduling, incident reporting, and auditing
• Access to vetted local providers in secondary markets

Limitations:

• Officers are employed by partner companies, not Protos
• Less suited to single-site clients

7. Sunstates Security

Type: Regional contract security services Headquarters: Raleigh, NC Best for: Corporate, healthcare, and residential clients in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic that want a privately held provider with low officer turnover

Sunstates Security is a privately held contract security company that serves corporate, healthcare, manufacturing, residential, and education clients across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and other regions. It is known for higher officer retention than the industry average and consistent account management.

Strengths:

• Strong officer retention and training
• Consistent account management
• Growing multi-state footprint

Limitations:

• Regional footprint
• Limited technology products

8. Walden Security

Type: Contract security services for commercial and government Headquarters: Chattanooga, TN Best for: Federal facilities, courthouses, and commercial properties in the Southeast and nationally that want a certified provider with government experience

Walden Security is a family-owned contract security company providing security officers for commercial, residential, and government clients, including federal protective service and courthouse contracts across many states. It is known for training, officer professionalism, and compliance with federal contracting requirements.

Strengths:

• Federal and judicial security experience
• Family-owned and relationship-driven
• Strong training and compliance

Limitations:

• Smaller commercial branch network
• Less technology integration

9. Marksman Security

Type: Contract security services Headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, FL Best for: Residential communities, commercial properties, and healthcare facilities in Florida and the Southeast that want a fast-growing regional provider

Marksman Security is a fast-growing contract security company providing armed and unarmed officers, concierge and residential security, and healthcare security across Florida and other Southeastern states, with expansion into additional markets. It competes on officer quality and responsive local management.

Strengths:

• Strong residential and healthcare security practice
• Responsive regional management
• Rapid growth and expansion

Limitations:

• Regional footprint
• Newer brand than national competitors

10. Andy Frain Services

Type: Event security, crowd management, and contract security Headquarters: Aurora, IL Best for: Stadiums, arenas, universities, and transit authorities that need event security and crowd management staff at scale

Andy Frain Services has provided event security and crowd management since 1924 and staffs stadiums, arenas, universities, airports, and transit systems with ushers, event security, and contract security officers. It is one of the most recognized event security brands in the Midwest and nationally.

Strengths:

• Century of event security experience
• Large flexible event workforce
• Transit and aviation security experience

Limitations:

• Event and venue focus
• Less corporate guarding depth

How to choose a security guard staffing company

Match provider scale to your footprint. National and multi-site programs benefit from Allied Universal, Securitas, GardaWorld, or Prosegur, which can standardize posts, reporting, and technology across hundreds of locations. Single-region clients often get better officer retention and more attentive management from Sunstates, Walden, or Marksman, and multi-site retailers that want local firms under one contract can use Protos. Government and critical infrastructure work points to Inter-Con or Walden, and events and venues to Andy Frain or Allied Universal Event Services.

Then look at wages and turnover, not just the bill rate. Contract security bill rates in 2025 typically ran $25 to $40 per hour for unarmed officers and $35 to $60 for armed, and the gap between the bill rate and what the officer is paid determines who shows up. Ask for the officer wage at your post, the provider's branch-level turnover, its state licensing and insurance certificates, and how it handles open posts, overtime, and holiday coverage. For other flexible labor needs, our temp staffing agencies and hospitality recruiting firms lists cover adjacent categories.

How Noon fits alongside security staffing companies

Contract security providers recruit constantly, and so do the corporate security, facilities, and loss prevention teams that manage them. Noon is an AI recruiter that helps security companies and in-house security departments fill permanent roles, from site supervisors and account managers to security analysts and directors: it sources candidates across the open web, screens them against role requirements, and runs personalized email and SMS outreach so recruiters spend their time on interviews.

Noon offers one flat plan with unlimited roles and seats, which fits the volume hiring that security companies run year-round. See pricing or read how an AI agent compares with a recruiting agency.

FAQ

What does a security guard staffing company do? A contract security company recruits, licenses, trains, schedules, and supervises armed and unarmed security officers for client sites, billing an hourly rate per post that covers wages, insurance, uniforms, supervision, and margin. Many also provide electronic security, remote monitoring, and event security staff.

Which is the largest security guard company? Allied Universal is the largest security services company in North America and one of the largest private employers in the world, followed by Securitas, GardaWorld, and Prosegur.

How much do security guard staffing companies charge? Unarmed officer bill rates typically run $25 to $40 per hour and armed officers $35 to $60, depending on market, training requirements, and shift. The officer usually receives 55 to 70 percent of the bill rate in wages, with the remainder covering payroll taxes, insurance, supervision, uniforms, and margin.

Are contract security officers licensed? Most states require security officers to hold a state guard license, with additional certification for armed officers. Reputable providers handle licensing, background checks, and required training and should provide certificates on request.

How quickly can a security company staff a new post? Established providers can typically fill unarmed posts within a few days to two weeks depending on market and licensing requirements. Armed posts, cleared positions, and large multi-site rollouts take two to eight weeks.

About the author

Rey Sivji works on growth at Noon AI and researched and compiled this list. Have a correction, a firm that belongs on it, or a question about choosing an agency? Email rey@noon.ai.