The International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) is announcing today that funding has been secured for a security research project that will aim to provide comprehensive data on the roles and responsibilities of today's security officers, including insights into their ever-evolving role.

In the latest twist in the bidding war to purchase guarding company G4S, GardaWorld  declined to raise its bid for the company, moving Allied Universal into what appears to be the winning position.

No, the battle over G4S is not over. The takeover of G4S will come down to a head-to-head auction between the remaining two bidders (GardaWorld and Allied Universal) that will commence at the end of February.

Allied Universal acquires SecurAmerica -- a privately held, Atlanta, Georgia-based security company with 49 offices located throughout the United States.

The free event will cover the most common topics affecting professionals in the private security industry including technology integration in manned guarding, incorporating new security services, and de-escalation training.

Securitas Security Services USA is adding nearly 1,000 new jobs across the state in key areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, Central Valley and the Inland Empire. Its current California workforce includes 15,000 security professionals.

Allied Universal^®, a leading security and facility services company in North America, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Securadyne Systems, a security systems integration company based in Dallas, Texas.

AlliedBarton Security Services and Universal Services of America have agreed to merge.