Summary

The global private security market, encompassing various services including guarding, has been on an upward trajectory with strong growth in different regions. Despite a lack of specific worldwide guarding statistics, broader private security system data indicates that more countries are relying on private security in comparison to public forces. As of 2022, India's private security sector is notable, employing around 9 million people, and is projected to reach 12 million by the end of that year. The United States also sees robust expansion in private security, with industry revenue expected to hit $51 billion by 2023.

In France, the national private security market was worth approximately 7.5 billion euros in 2022, with guarding accounting for 36.8% of this figure, equating to about 2.76 billion euros. The French market is largely dominated by larger firms, with medium and big companies holding a 54% market share. The sector is also grappling with the challenge of digitalization, as demand shifts towards remote surveillance and cybersecurity services. Remote surveillance witnessed a 12.3% growth, while cybersecurity rose by 15.1% in 2018. However, actual demand figures from 2020 onwards are not provided in the text above.

### Evolving Security Needs and the Rise of Private Guarding in France

France's private guarding and security sector have seen a steady surge over the years, especially with key incidents like the New York and Madrid attacks that significantly heightened the demand for human surveillance services. Between 2010 and 2015, the market expanded by around 30%, and the trend continued in the wake of terror attacks in 2016 and 2017, which further underscored the necessity for strengthened private security measures. Guarding makes up a significant portion, comprising over three-quarters of the private security sector's revenue in the country.

Despite the strong demand, complications such as unfair competition and restrictive labor laws have continuously pressured the industry. The market also saw a wave of consolidation since 2008, leading to the disappearance of thousands of smaller companies. A noteworthy development in the sector has been the professionalization of personnel, with the introduction of mandatory professional qualification certifications in 2008 serving to weed out less professional participants. It's notable that foreign groups control about half of the security companies in France. However, domestic firms like Néo Security emphasize their national identity to capture more of the market, while diversified entities such as Onet leverage their extensive service offerings to build competencies in security, including the innovative use of drones.

With about 187,900 people employed in private security and guarding representing a prominent activity within this workforce, the market dynamic often favors medium to large-sized companies, which claim over half the market share. Despite a slight annual increase in production costs at a rate of about 1.1% over the previous decade, the bulk of expenses in the sector are tied to personnel costs, owing to the high full-time employment rate. Guarding services predominantly serve the needs of businesses, which account for almost 80% of the turnover. Building security, particularly in urban environments, emerges as a key element, with guarding services being an urban demand concentrated in business districts and affluent neighborhoods.

Moreover, the overarching sense of vulnerability, fueled by the memory of past terror attacks, keeps physical security and property protection as pivotal concerns for French citizens and businesses alike. Consequently, the need for security remains paramount across both individual and corporate spheres. The national security market in France was valued at approximately 9.5 billion euros in 2019, with private security constituting a significant chunk at 6.9 billion euros. Three years later, in 2022, the sector's turnover was estimated to be around 7.5 billion euros.

### Key Players Shaping the Private Security Landscape in France

As the private security sector continues to grow and evolve, several major players are establishing themselves as cornerstones in the industry. These companies not only offer traditional guarding services but also incorporate innovative solutions to meet the changing demands of their clients. Below is an overview of the main contributors to the private security market mentioned in the text above, highlighting their diverse expertise and unique contributions to the sector.

#### Securitas France At the forefront of the security market stands Securitas France, a subsidiary of the Swedish multinational group. Renowned for its comprehensive security solutions, the company provides services that encompass on-site guarding, mobile patrolling, remote surveillance, and electronic security systems. With a strong global presence, Securitas has rooted itself deeply in the French market, offering its wide array of clients a blend of technology and manpower to ensure their security needs are aptly met.

#### G4S France Another major international player in the private security sector is G4S France, part of the global G4S group. Their expertise in tailoring security solutions to client needs is built upon a foundation of integrated services, including risk analysis, manned security, cash management, and security consulting. They have carved out a niche in the market by combining their international expertise with local operational capabilities.

#### ONET Group, a French enterprise with a rich history, commands a significant presence in the national market. The group has diversified its offering to encompass a range of services, including cleaning, logistics, and engineering, but it's their prowess in the security domain that has solidified their status as a trusted provider. Their security division is adept at delivering a variety of services that spans from traditional guarding to sophisticated surveillance and safety systems.

#### Sotel Group Although smaller in scale compared to the aforementioned giants, Sotel Group is an important French SME that brings its own strengths to the private security market. The company's dedication to offering reliable security services, particularly electronic security and video surveillance systems, resonates with a client base that values innovation and technical expertise.

#### Securalliance Completing the landscape of notable security providers is Securalliance, a collaborative network comprised of independent security companies spread across France. By uniting the capabilities and local knowledge of its members, Securalliance delivers a vast range of security services that are both comprehensive and customized to the unique requirements of each client.

As these leading companies illustrate, the private security sector in France is not a monolithic entity but a dynamic

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  • Last update : 19/05/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Introduction

Guarding is the activity related to private security in France, generally carried out by service companies: the services offered are human surveillance in a building but also the surveillance of goods (buildings, companies, businesses, banks, etc..).

This sector experienced a major boom between 2001 and 2005 following the traumatic events of the New York and Madrid attacks, which led to a sharp increase in the demand for human surveillance, fueled by the persistence - and even the increase - of the terrorist threat. After experiencing growth of around 30% between 2010 and 2015, the market continued this good trend in 2016 and 2017, due to the attacks that took place in the last two years, pushing for the strengthening of private security in France. Guarding accounts for more than three quarters of the private security sector's turnover in France.

A multitude of companies have emerged in the sector, increasing competition and lowering the quality of service. Various factors (unfair competition, 35-hour working week, squeezed margins) continue to weaken the sector year after year. Since 2008, we have also witnessed a vast concentration movement causing the disappearance of thousands of companies. The other striking fact of the sector is the professionalization of the personnel with the issue of a professional qualification certification (CQP) mandatory since January 2008, which has allowed to eliminate the unprofessional actors.

Currently, almost one out of two security companies belongs to a foreign group. The 100% French players such as Néo Security are playing the tricolor card to gain market share, while more diversified players in home services such as Onet are developing strong skills in terms of security. Some players are riding the wave of innovation and using drones to enhance private security. In 2022, the security sector will be under heavy pressure due to recruitment difficulties as well as competition from remote surveillance.

1.2 The global private security market is booming

There is no data available for guarding on a global scale. Nevertheless, we can take a broader look at private security systems. The latter have been booming for a few years. Indeed, more and more countries are opening up to private security, to the detriment of public security forces. Today, about ...

1.3 National 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 demand for guarding, and therefore surveillance, is above all dominated by companies. INSEE data, which covers guarding, patrol and cash-in-transit services, shows that nearly **% of the turnover is generated by services to companies [***].

Distribution of revenues from guard, patrol and cash-in-transit services by type of client France, ****, % Source: ****

Building ...

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 A demand in search of digitalization

Companies, which represent the largest segment of the demand for security services, no longer have the same expectations of security companies. They are looking for a certain upmarket service that is no longer limited to physical surveillance, with security guards.

Thus, the growth in demand continues to be very important on ...

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 costs for the entire sector

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 ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Products and/or services

The guarding gathers a whole of missions carried out by security agents. It is above all a question of protecting buildings, which can be done for example by the control of the entries and exits, rounds... The websites of Securitas and Atlas Sécurité give an outline of these missions related ...

4.2 Prices and household budgets

Arcadis, a private security company, presents on its website the rates for guarding according to the amount of time included in the contract. Given the intense competition in the sector, the prices should not differ much from those of Arcadis. On the other hand, the costs associated with specific services (***) per ...

4.3 The market is about to be revolutionized by startups

Considered for a long time as an essentially physical activity, security guarding has managed to resist direct digitalization (***). However, some start-ups are now challenging this idea.

A complementary offer to guarding for individuals

The start-up Securkeys offers to keep the keys of private individuals and return them in less than an ...

5 Regulation

5.1 Rules specific to guarding

The code of internal security regulates the activities of private security companies. Title VII of Book II specifies the laws concerning guarding. Thus, when the size of a residential building justifies it, it is necessary for the inhabitants to provide guarding. [***] The main measures regulating guarding are as follows:

Administrative authorizations ...

5.2 The role of the CNAPS

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

Administrative police: delivery, suspension or withdrawal of authorizations, approvals and professional cards Disciplinary: on-site and off-site control of private security companies, and initiation of disciplinary action if necessary Advice and assistance tothe profession: answering questions from the ...

5.3 Calls for tender, application and limits

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. Formalized procedures are so called because ...

List of charts

  • Distribution of security revenues by company size
  • Distribution of the workforce in the sector
  • Evolution of production costs for private security
  • Distribution of guard, patrol and cash-in-transit revenues by client type
  • Are you concerned about your physical safety or the safety of your property?
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Latest news

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)
Elisabeth Coquet-Reinier, the female Onet, has passed away - 21/01/2023
  • 68,000 employees worldwide
  • 30,000 customers
  • Present in 9 countries (including Spain, USA and Brazil)
Télésurveillance : le groupe toulousain Sotel en pleine croissance - 02/12/2021

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
GettGuard
G4S Secure Solutions

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