Why Are U.S. Businesses Rethinking Security Guard Services in 2026?

U.S. businesses are rethinking security guard services in 2026 because physical security needs are becoming more complex across workplaces, retail stores, healthcare facilities, schools, offices, hotels, construction sites, and other commercial properties. Security guards are increasingly being used alongside access-control systems, video surveillance, alarms, mobile patrols, and other security technologies rather than as a standalone solution.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 1.29 million security guards were employed in the United States in 2025. Security guards work across industries including security services, education, healthcare, retail, accommodation, and food services.

For businesses, the key question is no longer simply whether to hire a security guard. It is what type of security coverage fits the property’s risks, operating hours, location, people, and assets.

Key Takeaways

1. Security risks are changing across U.S. businesses.
2. Guards and technology work together for stronger protection.
3. Workplace safety is a growing security priority.
4. Security needs vary by industry, property, and risk level.
5. Risk assessment should guide security coverage.

Why Are Businesses Rethinking Security in 2026?

Security requirements are changing as businesses deal with different combinations of physical, operational, and workplace risks.

A modern business may need to protect:

• Employees and customers
• Buildings and entrances
• Equipment and inventory
• Parking areas
• Sensitive information and restricted areas
• Cash or valuable merchandise
• Construction materials
• Patients, visitors, and staff
• Employees working during late-night or early-morning hours

The appropriate security response depends on the individual property.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that security guards protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activity and may patrol property, monitor alarms and surveillance systems, control access, respond to emergencies, and prepare incident reports.

That means professional security services can involve considerably more than simply having a guard stand at an entrance.

1. Workplace Safety Is Becoming a Broader Security Concern

Workplace security is not limited to preventing theft.

OSHA defines workplace violence broadly to include physical violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, and other threatening behavior occurring at a worksite. OSHA also notes that workplace violence can affect employees, customers, clients, visitors, and other people at a workplace.

Certain environments can present additional risk factors, including:

• Working alone
• Late-night operations
• Handling money
• Working with members of the public
• Isolated work areas
• Healthcare environments
• Locations where alcohol is served
• Facilities dealing with potentially volatile situations

For businesses with these conditions, security personnel may become one component of a broader workplace violence prevention and emergency response plan.

However, a security guard should not be viewed as a substitute for a complete workplace safety program. OSHA recommends assessing workplace-specific hazards and combining prevention programs with appropriate engineering controls, administrative controls, and employee training.

2. Healthcare Facilities Have Unique Security Requirements

Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, and other healthcare environments can require specialized security planning.

Healthcare workers may encounter aggressive behavior, patients experiencing medical or behavioral emergencies, visitors, unauthorized access, and other safety challenges.

OSHA identifies healthcare as an environment with significant workplace violence concerns and provides specific resources for healthcare facilities to develop workplace violence prevention programs.

Depending on the facility, security personnel may assist with:

• Visitor management
• Entrance monitoring
• Parking-area patrols
• Restricted-area access
• Incident response
• Staff safety
• Property protection
• Emergency coordination

Healthcare facilities should carefully define security responsibilities, so guards understand their role and know when to contact law enforcement, medical personnel, emergency services, or facility management.

3. Retail Businesses Need More Than Camera Coverage

Retail stores face a different combination of security challenges.

Security concerns can involve merchandise loss, unauthorized access, disputes, suspicious activity, parking-lot incidents, employee safety, and after-hours property protection.

A camera can record an incident, but it can’t physically patrol a parking lot or interact with someone at an entrance.

That is one reason some businesses combine:

Video surveillance + access control + alarms + security personnel + documented procedures

The appropriate combination depends on the property.

BLS data shows that retail is one of the major employment sectors for security guards, accounting for approximately 5% of security guard employment in 2025.

4. Technology Is Changing, Not Eliminating, the Role of Security Guards

One of the biggest changes in the security industry is the increasing use of technology.

Modern security programs can include:

• CCTV cameras
• Video monitoring
• Access-control systems
• Alarm systems
• License plate recognition
• Remote monitoring
• Mobile security applications
• AI-assisted video analytics
• Electronic visitor management

The Security Industry Association’s 2026 Megatrends report identifies AI as a major factor affecting the security industry and emphasizes a shift toward security outcomes and end-user value.

At the same time, BLS projects that security guard employment will remain relatively stable from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 11,300 additional security guard jobs projected over that period. BLS also notes that surveillance technology may limit some demand, while security guards will still be needed to protect people and property.

This suggests an important distinction:

Technology can improve detection and monitoring, while trained security personnel can provide physical presence, communication, observation, and human response.

The two can be complementary.

5. Security Guard Services Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Businesses should not automatically assume that every property needs armed guards or 24-hour coverage.

Different properties may require different services.

Unarmed Security Guards

Unarmed guards may be appropriate for locations primarily requiring:

• Access control
• Visitor assistance
• Building monitoring
• Routine patrols
• Incident reporting
• Visible deterrence
• Customer or employee assistance

Armed Security Guards

Armed security may be considered for properties with specific elevated security risks, subject to applicable state laws, licensing requirements, training, and the business’s risk assessment.

BLS notes that armed positions generally have more stringent requirements than unarmed positions, including additional background checks and firearms-related requirements.

Mobile Patrol

Mobile patrol can provide periodic checks of:

• Commercial properties
• Parking lots
• Construction sites
• Warehouses
• Vacant properties
• Multiple business locations

This can be useful when a business needs regular physical checks but does not require a guard to remain at one location continuously.

24-Hour Security

24-hour security may be relevant when a property operates continuously, has valuable assets, experiences significant after-hours activity, or requires constant security presence.

BLS notes that security guards commonly work shifts, including night shifts, because many buildings and facilities operate around the clock.

What Should a Business Consider Before Hiring Security Guards?

Before selecting a security service, a business should evaluate the property rather than choosing coverage based only on price.

1. Identify the Property’s Risk Areas

Consider:

• Main entrances
• Employee entrances
• Parking areas
• Loading docks
• Storage areas
• Cash-handling areas
• Restricted areas
• Outdoor equipment
• Blind spots
• Areas with limited lighting

2. Determine When Coverage Is Needed

Ask whether security is required:

• During business hours
• Overnight
• On weekends
• During special events
• During construction
• During employee shift changes
• Around the clock

3. Define the Guard’s Responsibilities

The post orders should clearly explain duties such as:

• Access control
• Patrol schedules
• Visitor procedures
• Emergency notifications
• Incident reporting
• Alarm response
• Employee assistance
• Communication procedures

4. Check Licensing and Training

Security licensing requirements differ by state.

BLS states that most states require security guards to be licensed or registered, and armed guards generally face additional requirements.

Businesses should therefore verify that guards assigned to their property meet applicable state and local requirements.

5. Consider Technology Integration

If the property already uses cameras, alarms, access control, or other systems, determine how the security team will interact with those systems.

A good security plan should define who monitors the system, who responds to alerts, how incidents are documented, and when to contact emergency services.

Security Assessment Should Come Before Choosing Coverage

One of the most useful steps for a business is to understand its existing vulnerabilities before deciding what type of security service it needs.

CISA provides physical security assessment resources designed to help facility owners and operators identify vulnerabilities and consider options for improving their security posture. Its Security Assessment at First Entry program, for example, provides a structured review of a facility’s existing security measures.

Businesses can apply the same general principle when evaluating private security:

Assess the property → identify risks → determine coverage → define responsibilities → implement → review results.

This approach can help avoid both under-protection and unnecessary security coverage.

What Does the U.S. Security Guard Workforce Look Like?

The scale of the security workforce also shows why private security remains an important part of the U.S. physical security landscape.

According to BLS, security guards held approximately 1.294 million jobs in 2025. The largest employment sector was investigation, guard, and armored car services, followed by education, healthcare and social assistance, retail, and accommodation and food services.

BLS reports a $38,020 median annual wage for security guards in May 2025, although wages vary significantly by industry, location, experience, duties, and other factors.

These figures help show the size of the profession, but businesses should not use national wage data alone to estimate the price of a contracted security service. Contract rates can include staffing, supervision, insurance, administrative costs, equipment, scheduling, training, and other operational expenses.

How Businesses Can Build a More Practical Security Plan

A practical security strategy can combine several layers instead of depending on one measure.

Layer 1: Physical Presence

Security guards provide visible presence, observation, communication, access control, and patrols.

Layer 2: Technology

Cameras, alarms, access control, and monitoring systems can provide additional information and detection capabilities.

Layer 3: Procedures

Written post orders, emergency procedures, visitor policies, and reporting processes help establish consistent responses.

Layer 4: Employee Awareness

Employees should know how to report suspicious activity, emergencies, threats, and security concerns.

Layer 5: Emergency Coordination

The security plan should clearly establish when guards should contact police, fire, EMS, management, or other emergency resources.

This layered approach aligns with the broader principle used by CISA and OSHA: security and safety measures should match a facility’s specific risks and characteristics.

What Should You Look for in a Security Guard Company?

When comparing security companies in the United States, businesses can ask:

• Is the company properly licensed where required?
• Are guards properly trained for the assignment?
• Does the company conduct background screening?
• Can it provide references or relevant experience?
• Does it offer the type of coverage the property actually needs?
• Are supervisors available when required?
• How are incidents documented?
• How are missed shifts handled?
• Can guards work with existing security technology?
• Does the company have clear emergency procedures?
• Is insurance coverage appropriate for the contract?
• Can the company scale coverage when business needs change?

The goal should be to match the security provider’s capabilities with the property’s actual requirements.

FAQs

1. Why are businesses rethinking security guard services in 2026?

Businesses are evaluating security differently because their needs can involve workplace safety, access control, theft prevention, property protection, emergency response, technology integration, and after-hours coverage. The appropriate solution depends on the individual property and its risk profile.

2. Are security guards still necessary with AI and surveillance cameras?

They can be. Surveillance technology can help identify and monitor activity, while security guards can provide physical presence, communication, access control, patrols, incident documentation, and human response. BLS expects security guard employment to remain relatively stable through 2035 while noting that surveillance technology may affect demand.

3. Do all U.S. businesses need armed security guards?

No. Security requirements vary by property and risk level. Many businesses may use unarmed guards for access control, patrols, monitoring, and other duties, while certain higher-risk environments may consider armed security subject to applicable laws and licensing requirements.

4. What industries commonly use security guards in the United States?

Security guards work across many industries. BLS identifies investigation, guard, and armored car services as the largest employment sector, with education, healthcare and social assistance, retail, and accommodation and food services also among major employers.

5. How can a business determine how much security it needs?

A business can begin with a security and risk assessment. It should identify vulnerable areas, operating hours, valuable assets, access points, previous incidents, employee and visitor concerns, and existing technology before determining whether it needs unarmed guards, armed security, mobile patrol, overnight coverage, or another combination of services.

The changing U.S. security environment does not mean every business needs more guards. Instead, it means businesses need to understand better what type of protection their property actually requires.

Security guards can play an important role in a layered security strategy by providing physical presence, observation, access control, patrols, communication, incident reporting, and assistance during security situations. Technology can add another layer through cameras, alarms, access control, and monitoring.

For U.S. businesses, the most practical approach is to evaluate the property’s risks first and then select security coverage that aligns with its people, assets, operating schedule, location, and security procedures.

Sources & Research

This article is based primarily on current information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OSHA, CISA, and the Security Industry Association. BLS data cited above was updated August 27, 2026.