Choosing the right security solution for your business or property can feel overwhelming. With various types of guard services available, how do you know which one actually protects your specific situation?
The truth is, not all security services are created equal. What works for a retail store won’t necessarily work for a construction site or corporate office. Understanding the different types of Security Services in Memphis TN helps you match the right protection to your unique needs—without overpaying for features you don’t need or leaving gaps in your coverage.
This guide breaks down the main types of security guard services, explains when each makes sense, and helps you identify the best fit for your situation.
Armed vs. Unarmed Security Guards: Making the Right Choice
One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether you need armed or unarmed security personnel.
Unarmed guards provide a visible deterrent and handle most routine security tasks. They monitor access points, patrol premises, check credentials, and respond to non-violent incidents. According to security industry research, unarmed guards are appropriate for approximately 80% of commercial security needs.
These guards work well for office buildings, retail environments, residential communities, and educational facilities where the primary goal is prevention rather than confrontation.
Armed guards carry firearms and receive extensive weapons training beyond basic security protocols. They’re designed for high-risk environments where threats may involve violence or valuable assets need maximum protection.
Here’s when armed security makes sense:
- High-value asset protection (jewelry stores, banks, armored transport)
- Facilities with documented security threats or previous incidents
- Cash-handling operations with large transactions
- Executive protection for at-risk individuals
- Locations in areas with elevated crime statistics
The cost difference is significant—armed guards typically cost 30-50% more than unarmed personnel due to additional training, licensing, insurance, and liability considerations.
Static Security Posts: Your First Line of Defense
Static security involves positioning guards at fixed locations for extended periods. Think of the security desk in your office lobby or the guard at a gated community entrance.
These guards focus on access control, visitor management, and monitoring a specific area. They check identification, log visitors, monitor surveillance systems, and serve as the first point of contact for anyone entering your facility.
Static posts work best when you need:
- Controlled entry and exit management
- Constant presence at vulnerable access points
- Customer service combined with security functions
- Video surveillance monitoring from a central location
- Package and delivery screening
The downside? Static guards can’t patrol your entire property. While they provide excellent coverage for their assigned area, other parts of your facility remain unchecked unless you add mobile patrol services.
Combining Static Posts with Technology
Modern static security positions often integrate technology to extend their effectiveness. Guards monitor multiple camera feeds, manage electronic access control systems, and use communication tools to coordinate responses across larger facilities.
This combination creates a force multiplier effect—one guard can effectively monitor areas that would otherwise require several personnel.
Mobile Patrol Services: Flexible Coverage for Larger Properties
Mobile patrol guards move throughout your property on scheduled or randomized routes. They might drive vehicles or walk, checking doors, investigating alarms, and providing visible deterrence across a wider area than static posts can cover.
Mobile patrols excel at:
- Large properties like warehouses, parking lots, or multi-building campuses
- After-hours security when fewer personnel are needed
- Supplementing static posts during overnight shifts
- Construction sites requiring periodic checks
- Properties with multiple access points spread across distance
The random nature of patrol routes makes it harder for potential intruders to predict guard locations. This unpredictability significantly increases deterrent value.
Many organizations combine static and mobile services—maintaining guards at main entrances while patrol officers check remote areas and secondary access points throughout their shifts.
Specialized Security Services for Specific Industries
Beyond basic guard services, specialized security addresses unique industry challenges.
Retail Loss Prevention
Retail security guards focus on preventing theft, managing shoplifters, and reducing shrinkage. They blend customer service with surveillance, often wearing plain clothes to observe without being obvious.
These specialists understand retail-specific challenges like fitting room monitoring, return fraud detection, and managing confrontations with suspected shoplifters according to legal guidelines.
Construction Site Security
Construction sites face unique risks—equipment theft, trespassing, vandalism, and liability from unauthorized access. Construction security guards patrol large, changing environments where traditional security setups don’t work well.
They need familiarity with construction environments, safety protocols, and the ability to work in outdoor conditions during all shifts.
Event Security Management
Concerts, conferences, and large gatherings require security teams trained in crowd management, emergency evacuation, VIP protection, and de-escalation techniques for handling intoxicated or aggressive attendees.
Event security scales up or down based on attendance, requiring companies that can quickly deploy appropriate personnel levels.
Healthcare Facility Protection
Hospital and medical facility security guards handle sensitive situations involving distressed patients, controlled substance protection, infant security, parking lot safety, and managing visitors during emotional situations.
They need training in de-escalation, mental health crisis response, and HIPAA compliance alongside traditional security skills.
Matching Security Services to Your Risk Profile
Your ideal security solution depends on several factors specific to your situation.
Start by assessing your actual risks rather than assuming what you need. Consider these questions:
- What assets are you protecting and what’s their value?
- What are your most vulnerable access points?
- When do security incidents most often occur?
- How much foot traffic or visitor volume do you handle?
- What’s your neighborhood crime rate and history?
- Do you need 24/7 coverage or specific shift protection?
A proper security assessment identifies these factors before recommending solutions. You might discover that your overnight hours present the highest risk, making mobile patrol during those shifts more cost-effective than 24/7 static coverage.
Budget Considerations That Actually Matter
Security services represent ongoing operational expenses. Understanding cost structures helps you budget appropriately.
Basic unarmed static guard services typically range from $15-25 per hour depending on location and qualifications required. Armed guards add 30-50% to these rates. Mobile patrol services often cost less per hour but cover multiple properties.
Don’t make the mistake of choosing security services based solely on the lowest hourly rate. Guard quality, training standards, company reliability, and proper insurance coverage matter more than saving a few dollars per hour.
Poor quality security that misses incidents or creates liability issues costs far more than investing in professional services from the start.
Technology Integration in Modern Security Services
Today’s security guards work alongside technology rather than replacing it. The most effective solutions combine human judgment with technical tools.
Quality security companies integrate:
- Real-time incident reporting through mobile apps
- GPS tracking for mobile patrol verification
- Digital checkpoint scanning to confirm route completion
- Cloud-based surveillance monitoring
- Automated reporting and activity logs
- Direct communication channels with management
This technology creates accountability and provides documentation of security activities. You can verify that patrols happened as scheduled, review incident reports immediately, and access security data from anywhere.
For more information on protective services, you can explore additional security resources and industry news to stay informed about best practices.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Security Services
Before signing any security contract, get clear answers to these critical questions.
What training do guards receive beyond basic requirements? Look for companies that provide ongoing training, not just minimum licensing requirements.
How does the company screen and vet security personnel? Background checks, drug testing, and reference verification should be standard, not optional.
What’s included in the service agreement? Clarify exactly what services you’re paying for—guard duties, reporting frequency, supervisor oversight, and technology access.
How quickly can the company respond to scheduling changes or emergencies? Flexibility matters when you need additional coverage or face unexpected situations.
What insurance and bonding does the company carry? This protects you from liability if guards make errors or incidents occur during their duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many security guards do I actually need for my facility?
The number depends on your property size, entry points, hours of operation, and risk level. A typical office building might need one guard per entrance during business hours, while large warehouses might require roving patrols covering specific zones. Professional security assessments calculate appropriate staffing based on your specific situation rather than generic formulas.
What’s the difference between security guards and security officers?
The terms are often used interchangeably, though “security officer” sometimes indicates additional training or supervisory responsibilities. Both provide property protection, but officers may have more authority, advanced certifications, or leadership roles over guard teams. Always ask about specific training and responsibilities rather than relying on titles.
Can security guards detain or arrest people on my property?
Security guards generally have the same citizen’s arrest powers as any private citizen—they can detain someone when witnessing a felony or when specifically authorized by property owners for misdemeanors occurring on private property. However, policies vary by jurisdiction and company. Most security services focus on deterrence, documentation, and calling law enforcement rather than physical confrontation.
How quickly can security services be implemented?
Reputable companies can often start basic services within 48-72 hours for standard assignments. More complex implementations requiring specialized training, equipment integration, or security assessments may need 1-2 weeks. Be wary of companies promising immediate starts without proper planning—quality security requires preparation and coordination.
Should I hire security directly or use a contract company?
Contract security companies handle recruitment, training, scheduling, benefits, insurance, and replacement coverage—removing significant administrative burden. In-house security gives you more control but requires managing HR functions, dealing with absences, and maintaining training programs. For most businesses, contract services provide better value and reliability unless you need a large, permanent security team with specialized facility knowledge.
