Running a security company means juggling a lot, like guard coverage, client needs, regulations, and rising costs. A solid SWOT analysis of a security company helps you step back and see what’s actually working, what needs attention, and where the business can grow.

This guide walks you through how to do it right without getting bogged down in theory. We’ll cover the steps and give you real examples.

In this article, we’ll cover: 

• What a SWOT analysis is for security companies
• How to conduct yours
• A template you can use
• Examples of SWOT

Let’s start by taking a look at what SWOT analyses are.

What is a SWOT analysis for a security company?

A SWOT analysis is a simple way to map out your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It helps you get a clear picture of what’s going well, what could use work, where there’s room to grow, and what risks could trip you up.

If you've ever wondered which of the following SWOT factors are external to the firm, the answer is opportunities and threats. Internal factors, on the other hand, include strengths and weaknesses — the things you can directly control, like training, scheduling, or how you handle client service.

How to conduct a SWOT analysis

Whether you’re doing a property management SWOT analysis or breaking things down for a growing security company, the steps are mostly the same. The goal is to get honest, specific insights.

Here’s a simple five-step process:

1. Define your business scope: Are you focused on mobile patrols? Standing guards? Event security? Nail this down first, so your analysis reflects your actual services. 
2. Audit internal operations: Look at your team, tools, workflows, and day-to-day performance. What do you do well? Where are the cracks showing? Be honest, this is the time to call out what’s slowing you down.
3. Map industry trends and risks: What’s happening outside your company that could help or hurt you? Think labor shortages, local competition, new licensing rules, or client demand in new sectors.
4. Interview staff and clients: Your team sees things you might miss. Ask guards, supervisors, and even a few trusted clients what they think your company does well, and where you fall short.
5. Categorize findings into a SWOT grid: Once you’ve gathered everything, drop it into four sections: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Keep it simple and specific.

Examples of strengths

These are the things your company does well — the stuff that gives you an edge or keeps clients happy. You’ll want to build on these as you plan your next moves.

Here’s the kind of strengths you might list:

• Trained personnel: Guards with certifications, field experience, or specialty training (like event or armed security) boost your reputation and get the job done right.
  
• Reputation and client base: If clients stick around or send referrals your way, that’s a clear sign you’re doing something right.
  
• Strong SOPs and compliance: Having written post orders, reporting standards, and clear policies makes onboarding easier and keeps your team consistent.
  
• Use of modern tech: Using software for things like scheduling, tracking, and reporting gives you tighter control and saves time. This is where Belfry can give you a real leg up.
  
• 24/7 coverage capacity: If your team can cover nights, weekends, or emergencies without scrambling, that’s a big plus, especially for clients in high-risk industries.

Examples of weaknesses

Every company has weak spots. This part isn’t about calling yourself out, it’s about spotting areas that slow you down or put contracts at risk so you can fix them.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Manual processes: Paper reports, Excel-based scheduling, or handwritten timesheets leave too much room for mistakes and take up hours you could use elsewhere.
  
• High turnover or training issues: When guards quit regularly or aren't fully prepared for their posts, it puts extra strain on your team and can shake client confidence in your operations.
  
• No real-time visibility: Without live dashboards or GPS check-ins, it’s tough to know where guards are or what’s happening at each post.
  
• Inconsistent compliance tracking: Expired licenses or missed training deadlines can lead to fines or worse, lost contracts.
  
• Poor incident documentation: Late or missing reports make it hard to respond to issues, settle disputes, or back up your work when clients have questions.

Examples of opportunities

Opportunities are the outside factors that could help your company grow or improve. These usually show up when there’s a shift in demand, a new market opens up, or technology gives you a better way to work.

Here’s what to look for:

• New verticals: Industries like cannabis, construction, or logistics often need private security but might not have reliable options in your area yet.
  
• Adding mobile patrol services: If you’re mainly offering static guards, mobile patrols can give clients a more flexible option and open the door to contracts that need that kind of coverage.
  
• Expanding to underserved regions: Some neighborhoods or nearby cities might have security demand but no strong local providers.
  
• Technology partnerships: Working with camera installers, alarm companies, or property managers can lead to referrals and bundled service offerings.
  
• Regulatory shifts: New rules or licensing requirements might scare off less organized competitors and give you a chance to stand out by doing things right.

Examples of threats

Threats are the outside pressures that can hurt your business if you’re not ready for them. You can’t stop them from happening, but you can plan for them and protect your company before they become a problem.

Here are some common ones:

• Labor shortages: It’s getting harder to find and keep good guards, especially for overnight or remote posts.
  
• Market consolidation: Larger national firms with deep pockets are buying up contracts and undercutting local companies on price.
  
• Rising liability costs: Insurance premiums and legal risks are climbing, especially if documentation or compliance isn’t solid.
  
• Client dissatisfaction: Inconsistent performance, missed check-ins, or sloppy reporting can lead to cancellations and bad word of mouth.
  
• Economic downturns: When money’s tight, some clients might scale back security if they don’t see it as essential, especially in industries where it's seen more as a nice-to-have than a core need.

SWOT analysis template for security firms

Before you start filling out your own, it helps to see what a typical SWOT analysis might look like for a security company. Here’s a simple example to get you going:

Frequently asked questions

What are examples of security industry threats?

Some of the biggest threats include labor shortages, high insurance costs, and market consolidation by national firms. If you’re seeing turnover or struggling to keep posts filled, it may help to revisit how you manage your security guards or explore new security business ideas that fit your resources better.

How often should a SWOT be updated for a guard company?

At least once a year, or sooner if you’ve gone through major changes like opening new locations, adding services, or changing your hiring model.

Can a SWOT analysis help reduce turnover in security roles?

Yes. Identifying weak spots in training, scheduling, or leadership can help you improve retention. This ties closely to solving common problems covered in our guide to reducing security guard turnover.

How do software tools like Belfry improve your SWOT profile?

They help clean up your weaknesses and protect against outside threats. For example, Belfry makes it easier to schedule shifts, track licenses, and keep up with client expectations, giving you fewer gaps and better guard coverage.

Should startups in security services use SWOT?

Yes. For new companies, a solid SWOT can help focus your energy on the right areas, like building a reliable team, staying on top of compliance, and finding ways to stand out through smart marketing strategies.

What’s the difference between a SWOT analysis and a risk assessment?

A SWOT analysis gives you a big-picture view of your company’s current position. A risk assessment goes deeper into specific threats, like what could go wrong at a job site or how to prepare for emergencies.

How Belfry can help you address weaknesses and threats

Once you’ve completed a SWOT analysis of a security company, the next step is acting on what you learned, especially the weak spots and outside threats that could hurt your operations. Tools like Belfry can help.

Belfry is an all-in-one security guard software that brings your operations into one system, so you can stop juggling spreadsheets and chasing updates. Whether it’s assigning shifts, filing reports on time, or tracking license renewals, Belfry gives you reliable tools to run your team more smoothly.

Here’s how it helps:

• Easy scheduling: Minimize scheduling conflicts and avoid unmanned shifts thanks to Belfry’s automated scheduling features that assign shifts based on site requirements, officer certifications, and training.
• Increased officer accountability: Belfry has GPS tracking and NFC-based guided tours to help you make sure your guards are adhering to their post orders. Geofencing alerts help alert you if a guard leaves their designated area.
• Digital incident reporting: Goodbye pen and paper — guards can more easily keep you up-to-date by sending digital incident reports through the Belfry mobile app. They can even attach any evidence if needed.
• Track certifications: Prevent license compliance lapses by inputting your officers’ licenses and certifications. Belfry tracks renewal dates automatically and sends notifications when they’re coming up.
• Custom reporting: Need to create reports? Belfry allows you to design tailored reports, including incident documentation, patrol activities, and compliance status.
• Simplified payroll: Belfry automates time and attendance tracking to make payroll easier. It also tracks overtime, labor expenses, and timesheets to make financial reporting a breeze.

See how Belfry can help improve your operations. Schedule a Free Demo Today.