What each security service actually involves, what it costs, what licenses are required, and how to evaluate providers — without the sales pitch.
Personal protection for C-suite executives, HNWI, and their families. Goes beyond bodyguarding — includes advance work, route planning, secure transportation, threat assessment, and 24/7 coverage for high-risk principals. Agents typically carry firearms (where licensed), hold EMT or medical training, and blend into business environments without drawing attention.
$800–$3,500/day per agent · Advance team extraFixed-post protection for high-value homes and estates. Includes static guards, roving patrols, alarm response, and visitor screening. At the premium end: residential security managers who design layered systems combining physical presence with technology. Often integrates with smart home systems and CCTV monitoring centres.
$350–$900/day per post · Security system design separateVenue security, crowd management, talent protection, and access control for private events, corporate functions, and large gatherings. Distinct from venue bouncers — qualified event security teams conduct pre-event threat assessments, coordinate with local law enforcement, and provide emergency response planning. Required for events above certain attendance thresholds in most states.
$35–$75/hr per officer · Management team additionalSecurity vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence, travel risk management programmes, workplace violence prevention, and security policy development. Typically contracted by large organisations building internal security frameworks rather than ongoing personal protection. Former law enforcement, intelligence, and military backgrounds are standard.
$150–$450/hr for consultants · Programme retainers variableThe fastest-growing segment — combining traditional physical security with cybersecurity for executives facing digital threats (doxxing, swatting, social engineering, account takeover) that escalate to physical risk. Practitioners conduct digital footprint assessments, OSINT threat monitoring, and coordinate cyber and physical protection protocols simultaneously.
$2,500–$8,000/month for integrated programmesFor executives or journalists operating in high-risk regions. Advance work in destination countries, liaison with local security networks, extraction planning, armoured vehicle coordination, and medical evacuation pre-arrangements. Required for operations in politically unstable regions or during corporate M&A trips to unfamiliar jurisdictions.
$1,200–$4,500/day depending on region risk level| Service Type | Licence Required | Firearms Licence | State-by-State Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Protection (armed) | Guard card + EP certification + firearms | Required — verify separately | High — each state has different EP laws |
| Executive Protection (unarmed) | Guard card + EP certification | Not required | Moderate — licensing still required |
| Residential Security | Guard card (most states) | Depends on armed/unarmed | Moderate |
| Event Security | Guard card (most states) | Rarely required | Low to moderate |
| Security Consulting | Varies — often none required for pure consulting | Not applicable | Low — consulting vs guarding distinction |
| Cyber-Physical Integration | Physical side requires guard card | Not typically | Low to moderate |
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