Knowing how to choose a security company protects you from more than crime. The wrong provider can mean unlicensed officers, missed shifts and no idea what happened overnight. This guide sets out what a good security company does, the 10 things to check before you sign, and the warning signs to look out for.
What a good security company should do for you
- Visit or discuss your site and the risks before quoting
- Recommend the right cover: static guarding, mobile patrols, alarm response, or a mix
- Supply SIA-licensed officers who are suited to your type of site
- Supervise them, with regular check calls and someone to escalate to at night
- Tell you what happened, with written reports
- Cover sickness and holidays so a shift is never left empty
How to choose a security company: 10 things to check
- SIA licences. Every officer doing guarding, door supervision or keyholding needs a licence. Check names on the SIA Register of Licence Holders.
- Vetting. Ask how officers are screened before they start, including right to work and previous employment.
- Insurance. Ask for proof of public liability and employers’ liability insurance.
- Health and safety. Look for an independently assessed health and safety system, such as an SSIP scheme.
- Supervision. Ask how lone officers are checked on overnight, and who answers the phone at 3am.
- Reporting. Ask how often you will get reports, and what they include.
- Cover for absence. Ask what happens if an officer is ill or a shift is missed.
- Local presence. Ask where the officers and managers are based, and how quickly they can get to you.
- References and reviews. Read Google reviews and ask for references from similar sites.
- A clear contract. Check the notice period, what is included, and how extra hours are charged.
Warning signs when you choose a security company
- A price far below everyone else’s, with no clear explanation
- No visit or questions about your site before the quote
- Officers who cannot show a valid SIA licence
- No written reports, or reports that say nothing
- Vague answers about who supervises officers at night
- Long contracts with high penalties for leaving
What to expect after you choose a security company
- A site visit or briefing to agree the risks, the routes and the instructions
- Clear assignment instructions for the officers: what to check, who to call, what to do in an emergency
- A named contact you can reach about any problem
- Regular reports, and a review of the cover as your needs change
Static guard, patrols or alarm response?
| Option | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Static guarding | An SIA-licensed officer on site for the whole shift | High-value or high-risk sites, busy gates, open perimeters |
| Mobile patrols | Set or random visits with lock-up checks | Lower-risk sites that need regular checks |
| Keyholding and alarm response | An officer attends when your alarm goes off | Premises that are locked and alarmed out of hours |
Part of knowing how to choose a security company is knowing what cover to ask for. Not sure which you need? See our guides to securing a construction site and small business security.
How RG Security measures up
- SIA-licensed officers on every job
- Reports whenever you ask, so you know what happened on site
- Lone worker protection, with regular check calls through every shift
- SMAS Worksafe Contractor (SSIP). See our certifications
- Family-run, with 10 years in the industry, so you deal with the people who run the company
- Rated 5.0 on Google by our clients. Read what clients say
Areas we cover
We are based in Southampton and cover Hampshire, including Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester, Portsmouth, Fareham and Basingstoke, and parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Berkshire. See all the areas we cover.
Questions we get asked
How do I check if a security guard is licensed?
Ask for their name and SIA licence number, then check it on the SIA’s Register of Licence Holders on GOV.UK. Licensed officers must also wear their licence where it can be seen while working.
What questions should I ask a security company?
Ask how they check their officers are licensed and vetted, what insurance they hold, how officers are supervised overnight, how often you get reports, what happens if an officer is ill, and what the notice period is.
Why are some security quotes so cheap?
Very low prices can mean low pay, long shifts, untrained or unlicensed staff, or no supervision. Ask what is included, and compare like for like rather than just the hourly rate.
Is it better to use a local security company?
A local company can usually respond faster, cover at short notice and get to know your site. Check where their officers and managers are based, not just where the head office is.
Are RG Security officers SIA-licensed?
Yes. Every security officer we supply holds an SIA licence, which means they have passed approved training and background checks.
Ask us anything before you choose
Call 023 8181 0000 or email info@rgsecurity.co.uk. We are happy to answer every question on this list, so you can see how to choose a security company with confidence.
© 2026 RG Security Ltd. All rights reserved. This guide may not be copied or republished without permission.