Security Guards and Patrol Services
Description
Establishments in this industry provide specialized security and patrol services to protect people, property, and assets across various environments. The core function involves monitoring, preventing, and responding to criminal activity through both physical presence and technological surveillance. Typical business activities include guarding specific locations, conducting perimeter checks, responding to alarms, and offering specialized services like body protection or canine units for high-risk scenarios. These operators rely heavily on trained personnel who must maintain certification while managing security systems and filing detailed incident reports. The scope of operations ranges from securing residential compounds and parking lots to protecting corporate facilities, government buildings, and events. Operators can be independent small businesses, regional security firms, or large national corporations serving commercial, industrial, and public sectors. While many services are contracted through third parties, direct employment is common for large facilities requiring constant surveillance. This sector plays a vital role in public safety by deterring crime and ensuring the security of valuable resources in an increasingly complex economic landscape.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector comprises establishments performing routine support activities for the day-to-day operations of other organizations. These essential activities are often undertaken in-house by establishments in many sectors of the economy. The establishments in this sector specialize in one or more of these support activities and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: office administration, hiring and placing of personnel, document preparation and similar clerical services, solicitation, collection, security and surveillance services, cleaning, and waste disposal services. The administrative and management activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis. These activities may also be performed by establishments that are part of the company or enterprise. However, establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises. Establishments in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises, normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. Government establishments engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental programs are classified in Sector 92, Public Administration. |
| 561 | Administrative and Support Services 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Administrative and Support Services subsector group establishments engaged in activities that support the day-to-day operations of other organizations. The processes employed in this sector (e.g., general management, personnel administration, clerical activities, cleaning activities) are often integral parts of the activities of establishments found in all sectors of the economy. The establishments classified in this subsector have specialization in one or more of these activities and can, therefore, provide services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular process that they are engaged in and the particular services they provide. Many of the activities in this subsector are ongoing routine support functions that businesses and organizations perform in-house. However, it is common to contract or purchase services from businesses that specialize in such activities and can, therefore, provide the services more efficiently. The industries in this subsector cannot be viewed as strictly "support." The Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services industry group includes travel agents, tour operators, and providers of other travel arrangement services, such as hotel and restaurant reservations and arranging the purchase of tickets, serving many types of clients, including individual consumers. This group was placed in this subsector because the services are often of the "support" nature (e.g., travel arrangement) to businesses and other organizations that purchase such services. The administrative and management activities performed by establishments in this sector are typically on a contract or fee basis. These activities may also be performed by establishments that are part of the company or enterprise. However, establishments involved in administering, overseeing, and managing other establishments of the company or enterprise are classified in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises. Establishments in Sector 55, Management of Companies and Enterprises, normally undertake the strategic and organizational planning and decision-making role of the company or enterprise. Government establishments engaged in administering, overseeing, and managing governmental programs are classified in Sector 92, Public Administration. |
| 5616 | Investigation and Security Services 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) investigation, guard, and armored car services; (2) selling security systems, such as burglar and fire alarms and locking devices, along with installation, repair, or monitoring services; or (3) remote monitoring of electronic security alarm systems. |
| 56161 | Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services 5-digit NAICS industry | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing one or more of the following: (1) investigation, detective, and personal background check services; (2) guard and patrol services; and (3) picking up and delivering money, receipts, or other valuable items with personnel and equipment to protect such properties while in transit. Illustrative Examples: Armored car services Private detective services Bodyguard services Security guard services Polygraph services |
| 561612 | Security Guards and Patrol Services 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments in this industry provide specialized security and patrol services to protect people, property, and assets across various environments. The core function involves monitoring, preventing, and responding to criminal activity through both physical presence and technological surveillance. Typical business activities include guarding specific locations, conducting perimeter checks, responding to alarms, and offering specialized services like body protection or canine units for high-risk scenarios. These operators rely heavily on trained personnel who must maintain certification while managing security systems and filing detailed incident reports. The scope of operations ranges from securing residential compounds and parking lots to protecting corporate facilities, government buildings, and events. Operators can be independent small businesses, regional security firms, or large national corporations serving commercial, industrial, and public sectors. While many services are contracted through third parties, direct employment is common for large facilities requiring constant surveillance. This sector plays a vital role in public safety by deterring crime and ensuring the security of valuable resources in an increasingly complex economic landscape. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in picking up and delivering money, receipts, or other valuable items are classified in U.S. Industry 561613, Armored Car Services;
- 02Establishments primarily engaged in selling, installing, monitoring, and maintaining security systems and devices, such as burglar and fire alarms and locking devices, are classified in Industry 56162, Security Systems Services; and
- 03Government establishments primarily engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement, police, traffic safety, and similar activities related to the enforcement of law are classified in Industry 922120, Police Protection.
Index Items
Body guard services
Guard dog services
Guard services
Parking security services
Patrol services, security
Personal protection services (except security systems services)
Private police services
Property protection services (except armored car, security systems)
Protection services (except armored car, security systems), personal or property
Protective guard services
Security guard services
Security patrol services
How Item Can Help
Optimizes logistics for transporting patrol equipment, uniforms, and supplies across multiple regional sites to ensure availability during incidents.
Manages inventory levels for critical security stock at distribution centers to minimize stockouts and reduce operational costs.
Analyzes patrol routes and equipment usage patterns to provide actionable insights for better resource allocation and predictive maintenance.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 561612.
American Security & CPE Association
Major trade association representing security guards, patrol officers, and security managers.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Security Administration
Official government page providing resources, standards, and regulatory information for security service providers.
Security Industry Alliance
Industry organization focused on the development of security technology and best practices for guard and patrol services.
