Facts and figures on private security

May 9, 2006 10:57 AM

At least 85 percent of the critical infrastructure in the United States is protected by private, contracted security officers. The National Association of Security Companies (NASCO), has released the following facts and figures regarding the contract security industry:
* Private security contracting (security personnel) is an approximately $13 billion industry in the United States with 11,000 to 15,000 companies employing some 1.2 million contract security officers.
* The total number of U.S. security officers has fallen by 11 percent since 2001, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
* Contract security officers are increasingly protecting military bases and installations across the country and around the world, freeing up important resources for more vital roles. Department of Defense (DoD) reports indicate these programs have been successful and cost-effective, as well as providing employment for veterans.
* Security officers are the "true" first responders. They are on the scene as situations occur and are increasingly being asked to support law enforcement and emergency personnel.
The following firms are responsible for nearly 50 percent of contract guard market-share:
1. Securitas
2. Wackenhut
3. AlliedBarton
4. Guardsmark
5. U.S. Security Associates
6. Initial Security
On licensing and regulation:
* There are no federal laws regulating private security.
* 10 states have no licensing, training or background-check regulations for security officers.
* 29 states do not require any training, including Washington, D.C.
* 16 states do not require criminal background checks.
* Virtually no states have standards or regulations for proprietary or in-house security officers (approximately 400,000 security officers nationwide).
For more on NASCO, visit www.nasco.org.

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