Summary

The global private security market has seen significant growth, with countries like India and the United States at the forefront. Particularly in India, the private security sector outstrips the public order forces, with private agents nearly five times the number of police officers. With an annual growth rate of 20% in 2021, Indian private security has become the second-largest employer after agriculture, and is projected to employ 12 million by the end of 2022. Private security in the US is also growing, expected to hit $51 billion in revenue by 2023.

Demand for private security in France is heavily driven by private clients (75%), with guarding and cybersecurity as the two largest demand segments. Recent attacks have magnified concerns about personal and property safety, further driving demand. Technological advancements like drones, biometric recognition, and artificial intelligence in cybersecurity are pushing the industry to evolve. Despite potential hiring challenges, such as those projected for the 2024 Olympic Games in France where 22,000 private security agents will be needed, the sector continues to adapt and grow globally..

Main Trends and Analysis of the Private Security Market

Demand The private security market in the concerned country has shown substantial growth in recent years, notably influenced by high-profile events and changes in the security landscape. The expansion of this sector can be credited to several drivers, which have led to an increased appetite for both physical and cybersecurity solutions. Private clients are the predominant source of demand, accounting for roughly 75% compared to the 25% emanating from public sector needs. The guarding and cybersecurity segments surface as the largest within the demand, with the former amounting to between 3.5 and 3.7 billion euros and the latter to between 3 and 3.2 billion euros.

On the corporate front, spending on private security divides into building security, ensuring the safety of premises and people, and IT security, encompassing cyber threat protection and data safety. With cybersecurity spending rising to nearly 23 billion euros in 2021, it is evident that digital security cannot be sidelined. As for public sector interaction with private security, recent regulatory changes have allowed for a synergy wherein private security firms complement public law enforcement in specific tasks, leading to the reassignment of between 600 and 700 police officers and gendarmes to other duties.

The private security workforce consists of roughly 188,000 employees across various specializations, with security guards making up the lion's share at 85%. The sector's organization is tipped towards medium-sized to large companies, which represent over half of the security revenues, although there remains a 13% market share held by microenterprises. The upcoming 2024 Olympic Games pose both an opportunity and a challenge for the private security market. The event demands an estimated 22,000 security personnel, stressing the sector to meet this surge in demand. Various efforts have been made to ramp up recruiting, including streamlining training processes, offering financial incentives, and increasing security agent wages by 7.5% since September 2022. However, current numbers suggest a shortfall, with only around 4,500 agents prepared as compared to the required personnel, indicating a gap that the market needs to urgently address.

In conclusion, the private security market is an active field, responding dynamically to evolving demands and incorporating technological advancements. The balance between private and public interest and the critical mass of employment it creates make this sector an integral part of national security infrastructure.

Key Players in the French Private Security Market

Within the landscape of the French private security sector, a few prominent companies have established themselves as significant contributors to the market dynamics. Their activities span across guarding, electronic security and specialized services, catering to a diverse clientele that seeks protection of assets, property, and personnel. Let us delve into the features of these pivotal firms and understand their positioning in the private security industry.

  • Securitas France: The Watchful Protector Securitas France stands as a dominant force in the French private security market. As a subsidiary of the Swedish global security giant Securitas AB, the company's reputation is bolstered by its international reach and expertise. Offering a broad spectrum of services from manned guarding to mobile patrols and surveillance solutions, Securitas has established itself as a leader in providing comprehensive security measures to private and public sectors alike.
  • G4S France: The Global Guardian G4S France, part of the global integrated security company that operates in more than 85 countries, brings to the French market a wealth of international experience and innovation. With a focus on risk assessment and security personnel training, G4S France is known for its robust approach to safeguarding people, property, and assets. Despite G4S global being acquired by Allied Universal, the French entity persists as a notable entity in the security services arena.
  • ONET Group: The Versatile Security Veteran The ONET Group, a French service provider with a rich legacy, has diversified its offerings across the private security and cleaning industries. Their security division specializes in both traditional guarding services and technological solutions like video surveillance and access control, demonstrating their adaptability and range in addressing modern security challenges.
  • Sotel Group: The Nimble Security Expert Sotel Group, a smaller player in the market compared to its multinational counterparts, maintains its competitive edge by delivering personalized and agile security solutions. Focused on electronic security, Sotel Group emphasizes innovation in the realm of surveillance and intrusion detection systems, aligning itself with the evolving needs of a tech-savvy clientele.
  • Securalliance: The Collaborative Security Network Lastly, Securalliance sets itself apart through its cooperative approach, operating as a network of security companies that offers localized service across France. By combining the strengths and specialized expertise of its member companies, Securalliance offers a range of personalized security solutions. This collaborative model allows them to cater effectively to specific client requirements while maintaining high standards of protection. 
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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update : 18/04/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Market definition and presentation

The INSEE defines private security as all guarding, patrol, and cash or valuables transportation services using personnel equipped to protect the goods during transportation. In fact, private security includes various activities such as personal protection and the protection of premises and buildings (guarding).

The private security sector, which alone represents approximately 73% of the security sector's turnover, has experienced strong growth in recent years, well above that of the French GDP. This growth was boosted by the attacks of January and November 2015, which increased demand and strengthened the devices made available for physical security.

For all that, the market is relatively fragmented among many players who market generally specialized offerings (personal protection, for example). However, a few large companies such as Securitas control a large part of the market.

Regulatory and technological developments are also factors that the sector must take into account. The growth of the security systems market is twice that of the private security market. As a result, the sector is adapting with innovations such as the use of drones for building surveillance. In addition, in recent years, the cyber threat has been one of the industry's biggest challenges. With cybersecurity spending reaching €23 billion in 2021, IT security is now a priority for companies, who need to protect their data.

1.2 The global market

Private security systems are booming in the world since a few years. Indeed, more and more countries are opening up to private security, to the detriment of public order forces. Today, about forty countries would have more private security agents than law enforcement officers.

Private security employees and police officers World, ...

1.3 State of the national private security market

In **** in France, according to the site Making our world safer, the security market was estimated at *.* billion euros, of which **% concerned private security and **% security systems. Thus, the national private security market was valued at *.* billion euros. According to the index of the turnover of the sector provided by the ...

2 Analysis of the demand

2.1 Demand and drivers

the CNAPS (***) establishes a list of the different demands that can be made to the private security sector:

Human surveillance and guarding of goods, security of people in buildings and transportation. Surveillance by electronic security and video-protection systems. Surveillance and dog guarding. Airport and port security. Transport and surveillance of goods ...

2.2 The security issue at the heart of people's concerns

New alarms now allow households to have a security system at home, without having to rely on a service provider. Somfy alarms are connected and meet the needs of French people to be able to monitor their homes at any time.

But security issues are multiple and the majority of French ...

2.3 2024 Olympics: a demand for increased security

The organization of the **** Olympic Games in France is mobilizing many sectors. Among them, the security sector is at the center of attention. ** *** private security agents would be necessary for the organization of the Olympic Games.

This big demand is difficult to meet and the memory of the London chaos worries ...

2.4 Cyber threat boosts demand

The cyber threat is one of the most important reasons for the development of electronic security. In ****, *** intrusions were proven, compared to **** in ****. Despite a slight decrease, the risk remains high and organizations must equip themselves to prevent attacks. A large majority of attacks are still motivated by financial gain, more ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Market organization and dynamics

In ****, approximately ***,*** people were employed in the private security sector, including security guards (***) [***].

Distribution of the workforce in the sector France, ****, in % Source: ****

The sector is dominated by medium-sized and large companies(***). Microenterprises still account for **% of the market.

Breakdown of security revenues by company size France, ****, % Source: ****

Large companies are ...

3.2 Production

Production costs in the private security sector have increased slightly at an annual rate of *.*% over the past ** years [***].

evolution of production costs for private security France, **** - ****, base *** in **** Source: ****

The main costs in the sector are related to the personnel employed (***), nearly **% of whom are full-time. The average hourly ...

3.3 Tensions on the labour force in the sector

The private security market is highly concentrated in the Paris region. In fact, the region accounts for more than **% of the sector's workforce.

Evolution of the workforce registered under code **.**Z France, **** - ****, in thousands of people Source: ****

Despite a significant increase in the number of employees in the sector, there ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Private security actually includes a multitude of activities

Under the words of private security hides a multitude of different activities which each have their own particularity. Some of them focus on the protection of goods, others on the protection of people.

Security agents - the security of people

Security guards are those who provide security for people (***). Bodyguards are ...

4.2 Prices vary greatly depending on the type of training

There is no fixed price in the field of private security. These depend on the type of service but also on the technical and logistic difficulty. The companies that currently market a security drone offer are freer to set their prices than their competitors who evolve on the market of alarms ...

4.3 The necessary adaptation to new technologies

After having found growth relays between **** and **** (***), with a turnover that increased by **%, private security companies are experiencing a slowdown in their activity [***].

The **** Olympic Games in Paris will therefore represent a major challenge for the sector, which will have to be able to provide the security guards in demand, despite ...

5 Regulation

5.1 The role of the CNAPS

The CNAPS (***) regulates the activities of private security companies. This organization has three missions:

Administrative police: issuing, suspending or withdrawing authorizations, approvals and professional cards Disciplinary: on-site and documentary control of private security companies, and initiation of disciplinary action if necessary Advice and assistance to the profession: answering questions from the ...

5.2 Specific rules apply for each activity

The website of the Ministry of the Interior gathers all the regulatory texts related to private security in France. Each activity (***) is regulated. In some cases the rules overlap and group several activities.

Decree No. ****-**** of October **, ****, however, radically modified the rules previously in force (***). [***] The main points concerning private ...

5.3 Tenders, applications and limitations

The file written by France Marchés on calls for tenders and the site Marché Public provide information on the legislation on calls for tenders.

Formalized procedure

A call for tenders is a consultation launched by a public purchaser, which he can or must use. The formalized procedures procedures are so ...

6 Positioning of the actors

6.1 Segmentation

  • Securitas
  • Prosegur
  • ONET Groupe
  • Sotel Groupe
  • Securalliance
  • Atraltech
  • VPS Group
  • G4S Secure Solutions
  • G4S
  • Brink's France
  • DPSA sécurité
  • Anaveo
  • Octopus sécurité (Luxant Groupe)
  • Homiris
  • Stella Groupe
  • Samsic Sécurité
  • Securiteam
  • Loomis
  • Euro Protection Surveillance
  • AGIR Sécurité
  • Protectim Security Group
  • Nexecur
  • Eryma
  • Torann - France
  • S3M Sécurité
  • France Gardiennage
  • Mondial protection
  • Byblos Human Security
  • IMA Protect
  • VPSITEX
  • Lynx Sécurité
  • CPS Sécurité
  • Sécurité Protection
  • Aquila
  • Apen Sécurité Privée
  • Artemis Security
  • Procedo Groupe
  • SGP Groupe
  • Luxant Groupe
  • Actor Sécurité
  • Alligator Security
  • Protectas
  • EPS
  • Scutum
  • Bellator Sécurité
  • Thoonsen Trading
  • Passman
  • Axon Taser
  • Doortal
  • Fichet Groupe
  • Sector Alarm

List of charts

  • Private security employees and police officers
  • Turnover of the private security sector
  • Are you concerned about your physical safety or the safety of your property?
  • Distribution of security revenues by company size
  • Distribution of the workforce in the sector
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Latest news

Thoonsen Trading benefits from the development of self-service checkouts - 18/10/2023
  • Thoonsen Trading is based in Châteauroux, in the Indre region of France.
  • It is the European leader in anti-theft products.
  • Sales are forecast to rise by 20% to 12 million euros by 2023.
  • It recently won a contract worth 3.5 million euros with Auchan over two financial years.
  • The company employs 45 people.
  • It markets a range of products, including metal guide bars for queuing, electric control gates and a "self-detaching" anti-theft terminal.
  • 40% of sales are generated by anti-theft devices.
  • The company has an international presence, with contracts in South America, South Africa, Southern Europe and the UK.
  • It also produces models adapted for transporting disabled or elderly people.
Paris 2024: Bellator Sécurité to secure the Place de la Concorde - 13/10/2023
  • Bellator Sécurité is a company with 500 employees.
  • It operates in the south of France and in the Paris region.
  • It has won two contracts for the Paris Olympic Games.
  • The Place de la Concorde, which will be guarded by Bellator Sécurité, will host four sporting events as well as concerts and demonstrations.
  • The training required for the Olympic security role is 106 hours.
  • The company has begun setting up operations in Paris in 2020.
  • Philippe Roatta took over the company in 2018.
  • The company's sales have risen from 8.5 million euros in 2022 to a forecast 15 million euros for 2023.
StellaGroup to acquire Pratic pergolas in Italy - 05/06/2023
  • StellaGroup The French leader in building closures
  • Sales 2022: 642 million euros
  • 10% growth by 2022
  • Employees: 2,500, 17 plants in Europe
  • Market: France, Germany, Netherlands, UK, soon Italy
  • Pratic: Italy's leading manufacturer of pergolas and awnings
  • Sales 2022: approx. 80 million euros
  • Exports: 40% of sales
  • Workforce: 300 employees

  • Acquisition of Biossun in 2022 Headquarters: Grenoble, Isère, France
  • Sector: Bioclimatic pergolas and vertical awnings
  • Sales 2021: 26 million euros
  • Workforce: 90 employees

  • After the acquisition of Pratic, solar protection represented 30% of StellaGroup sales.
  • StellaGroup doubled in size in 2019 by acquiring the shutters and blinds division of the CRH Group, which had four factories in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK and employed 750 people.
  • StellaGroup also acquired German manufacturer Duotherm Rolladen at the end of 2020, which employed 135 people.
Securitas benefits from growth in electronic security. - 03/05/2023
  • First-quarter operating income before depreciation and amortization: 2.18 billion crowns (previous year: 1.45 billion)
  • Record quarterly profit margin: 5.8
  • Analyst forecast: 2.14 billion crowns
  • Electronic security sales growth (excluding acquisitions): 13%
  • Share price increase: 2% (at 1111 GMT)
Octopus Sécurité in receivership - 06/04/2023
  • number of employees in France: 1,900
  • Annual sales: 67 million euros
  • Legal status: placed in receivership
  • Purchaser: Luxant group (end 2020)
  • Observation period of receivership: six months
  • Previous figures (before Luxant acquisition): 2,600 employees and sales of 80 million euros
  • Return to positive operating result forecast: 2023
Systèmes d'alarme : Atraltech prend son indépendance - 07/03/2023

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Securitas
Prosegur
ONET Groupe
Sotel Groupe
Securalliance
Atraltech
VPS Group
G4S Secure Solutions
G4S
Brink's France
DPSA sécurité
Anaveo

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