U.S. demand for private contracted security services is forecast to advance 4.7 percent per year to almost $66 billion in 2012. Growth will be spurred by a high perceived risk of crime (from conventional violent and property crimes to white collar crimes and terrorism) and a belief that public safety officials are overburdened. Gains will also be fueled by an ongoing trend in the privatization of some public safety operations such as guarding government facilities and correctional facilities management. These and other trends are presented in Private Security Services, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.
Security consulting revenues are expected to achieve the strongest growth through 2012 because consultants are able to manage a wide variety of services when creating, upgrading or implementing security plans. Pre-employment screening, systems integration and guarding services are also expected to post above average gains. The trend toward more sophisticated and automated security electronics that are increasingly integrated with other building operations will boost growth for security consultants and systems integrators. Guarding service revenues will advance as providers continue to promote value-added services and features. In 2012, guarding services will continue to account for the largest share of private security services with 44 percent of revenues, followed by alarm monitoring services with 28 percent.
In 2007, the nonresidential market accounted for three-quarters of all private security services demand. Additionally, growth in the nonresidential market will outpace the residential market through 2012, driven by strength in security spending in schools, health care facilities, retail outlets, government buildings and public venues The Freedonia Group, Inc.
The commercial market is expected to remain the largest nonresidential market segment, accounting for 50 percent of demand in 2012. The government market will retain its position as the second largest market, benefitting from the continuing privatization of certain government functions, such as adult correctional facilities management and the guarding of courthouses and other government buildings.
U.S. PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICE REVENUES
(million dollars)
% Annual Growth
Item 2002 2007 2012 02-07 07-12
Security Service Revenues 35780 52250 65850 7.9 4.7
Guarding 14760 22150 28900 8.5 5.5
Alarm Monitoring 10480 15150 18360 7.6 3.9
Private Investigations 2590 3760 4500 7.7 3.7
Armored Transport 2120 2620 3300 4.3 4.7
Corrections 1780 2500 2950 7.0 3.4
Systems Integration 1415 2315 2960 10.3 5.0
Consulting, Screen, Other 2635 3755 4880 7.3 5.4
Source: © 2008 by The Freedonia Group, Inc.
