how to write a security business plan

Security Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Security Company Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their security companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a security company business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a security company business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Security Company Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your security company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Security Company

If you’re looking to start a security company or grow your existing security company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your security company to improve your chances of success. Your security company business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Security Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a security company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for security companies.

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How to write a business plan for a security company.

If you want to start a security company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your security company business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of security company you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a security company that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of security companies?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the security company industry.
• Discuss the type of security company you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of security company you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of security companies::

• Crisis management: This type of security business depoys security officers trained in crisis situations such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies.
• Security guards: This type of security business provides security guards to government or private clients to provide protection against theft or harm to personal or public property.
• Surveillance company: This type of security business provides surveillance equipment and monitoring services that can include security alarms, cameras, and on-call security officers.
• Security patrol: This type of security company deploys security officers who drive around the designated area, patrolling from car, motorcycle, or other vehicle.

In addition to explaining the type of security company you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of security cameras sold, or reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the security company industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the security company industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your security guard business plan:

• How big is the security company industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your security company? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your security company business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of security company you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other security companies..

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of security service providers, in-house security personnel, and do-it-yourself security equipment. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of security company are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a security guard business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of security company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide on-call security guard services, crisis management, or surveillance equipment?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your security company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your security company located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your security company marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your security company, including answering calls, scheduling security personnel, billing clients and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your security company to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your security company’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing security businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a security company.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you employ a staff of 10 security officers, and will you charge an hourly fee of $150 for each security officer deployed ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your security company, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a security company:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your security guards and their credentials.  

Writing a business plan for your security company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the security company industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful security company.  

Security Company Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my security company business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your security company business plan.

How Do You Start a Security Company?

Starting a security company business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Security Company
• Create Your Security Company Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Security Company
• Secure Startup Funding for Security Company (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Security Company with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Security Company
• Buy or Lease the Right Security Company Equipment
• Develop Your Security Company Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Security Company
• Open for Business

Learn more about   how to start your own security company .

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Security Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Security Company Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Security Company business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Security Companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Security Company business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

KB Security is a new security company located in San Antonio, Texas. KB Security provides security professionals to local establishments that need protection for their business or assets. We train our professionals for numerous situations so they are prepared for any security job. This includes anything from theft prevention to handling crisis situations. Whatever our clients’ concerns are, they can rest assured that they have hired the best security professionals in the San Antonio area.

KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer. In addition to his experience, he also holds an MBA. Keith’s combination of experience and education have given him the knowledge and skills to run a successful security company.

Product Offering

KB Security provides security professionals that can help businesses with all their security and surveillance needs. These can include but are not limited to:

• Protecting individuals
• Guarding property
• Preventing theft
• Helping with crisis situations

Businesses can sign up with one of our flexible contract programs when hiring our security services. We also offer a discounted trial period for those who are considering a long-term contract and want to test out our services before signing.

Customer Focus

KB Security will target local businesses, government organizations, and individuals located in San Antonio who need to hire security professionals. We expect most of our clients to be retail establishments who need help with theft prevention and guarding property and assets.

Management Team

KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer and received an MBA from the University of Texas. Keith’s education and experience has given him all the essential skills to run his dream security company. However, he will also hire other administrative staff to help him with the essential day-to-day functions.

Success Factors

KB Security will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Expert Security Professionals: KB Security only hires the best security professionals that have extensive training in security protocols.
• Location: KB Security is in a prime location, giving us quick and easy access to prime commercial districts. This is ideal especially when hired to handle crisis situations or alarm response.
• Affordable Pricing: The services offered by KB Security are similar in quality to its most premium-positioned competitors but are offered at a more affordable price.
• Management: Our management team has years of security and business experience that allows us to market to and serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than our competitors.

Financial Highlights

KB Security is seeking a total funding of $300,000 of debt capital to open its office. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and the office build-out. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and working capital. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office design/build: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $100,000
• Marketing & advertising: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for KB Security.

Company Overview

Who is kb security.

  KB Security is founded by Keith Baldwin, who has been a security professional for ten years. He has worked both as a professional security guard and as a certified trainer. In addition to his experience, he also holds an MBA. Keith’s combination of experience and education have given him the knowledge and skills to run a successful security company.

KB Security’s History

After surveying the local customer base, and finding a potential office location, Keith Baldwin incorporated KB Security as an S-Corporation on May 1st, 2023.

Currently, the business is being run out of Keith’s home office, but once the lease on KB Security’s location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, KB Security has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a commercial space and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, social media accounts, and website
• Began networking with some of the area’s largest companies to understand their security needs
• Began recruiting key employees

KB Security’s Services

Businesses can sign up with one of our flexible contract programs when hiring our security services. We also offer a discounted trial period for those who are considering a long-term contract and want to test out our services before signing.  

Industry Analysis

With increasing illegal events, terrorism, and fraudulent activities happening all around the world, the demand for professional security is greater than ever. Every establishment needs some form of security, whether it be in the form of security professionals or in the form of cybersecurity. As the world continues to navigate its violent challenges, security professionals will be needed to protect important assets and respond to crisis situations.

The security industry has transformed substantially to meet this demand. In addition to hiring security professionals, many businesses also invest in security tech such as cameras, motion sensors, and software. Security companies that offer a mix of security personnel and technology can provide their clients extensive and tight-knit security options that puts their clients’ minds at ease.

According to research, the security industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8% over the next 10 years. This is substantial growth, which shows just how essential the industry will be in the coming decade. Businesses like KB Security will continue to be in high demand and very profitable.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The demographics for San Antonio, Texas are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

We will primarily target the following customer segments:

• Individuals
• Local businesses
• Government organizations

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

KB Security will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Sky High Security

Sky High Security is a security company that was established in 2002. It provides a large team of security professionals specifically trained to protect high-value assets, such as museum collections and expensive jewelry. Their services include providing in-person officers as well as high-tech surveillance equipment.

Prime Security

Founded in 2003, Prime Security is the best security company in town for those looking for guard and patrol services. Prime Security aims to protect establishments and offer patrols to deter any unwanted visitors. The company has been highly successful and is the largest security company in the region.

First Responders Security

First Responders Security is the most popular security company for those who have more complex security concerns. They offer a wide range of services, including alarm response, theft prevention, and patrolling. Instead of hiring several companies to do several jobs, companies can depend on First Responders Security to manage all of their security concerns.

Competitive Advantage

KB Security will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

KB Security will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Professional security services
• Flexible contracts and a trial period
• Great security services at moderate rates
• Excellent customer service

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for KB Security is as follows:

KB Security understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The company will encourage its clients to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

KB Security will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The brand manager will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

KB Security will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the features and benefits of KB Security. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the brand’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Direct Mail

KB Security will blanket businesses with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on KB Security, offer discounts, and/or provide other incentives for companies to use our services.

KB Security’s pricing will be on par with competitors so clients feel they receive great value when hiring our security services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for KB Security.

Operation Functions:

• KB Security will be owned and operated by Keith Baldwin. Keith will oversee the general operations of the company.
• Keith is joined by Jeffrey Liebowitz, who will oversee all financial and accounting aspects of the business, such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis. Jeffrey will also manage all tax obligations and licensing for KB Security.
• Keith is also joined by Felicia Monroe, who will oversee all marketing and communications for the business. She will handle all in-client calls, appointments, networking, and follow-up. She will manage all advertising aspects with flyers, emails, social media, and the SEO process.
• Keith will hire an Administrative Assistant to help him with general administrative and operations tasks.
• Keith will also hire an extensive staff of security professionals that will help his clients with their security needs. He will also provide these professionals with training as necessary.

Milestones:

KB Security will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 8/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space.
• 9/1/202X – Begin build-out and design of staffing agency office.
• 10/1/202X – Begin social media and website advertising campaign.
• 11/1/202X – Attend large industry networking events.
• 12/1/202X – Hire key employees.
• 1/1/202X – Grand opening of KB Security.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

KB Security’s revenues will come primarily from charging clients for its security services. Depending on the contract in place, KB Security may charge an hourly fee per professional working for the client or a flat fee per month.

The office lease, equipment, supplies, and labor expenses will be the key cost drivers of KB Security. Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for KB Security, especially in the first few years as the company establishes itself in the market.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Year 5: 110
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, security company business plan faqs, what is a security company business plan.

A security company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your security company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Security Company business plan using our Security Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Security Company Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of security company businesses , some examples include: Crisis management, Security guards, Surveillance company, and Security patrol.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Security Company Business Plan?

Security Companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Security Company Business?

Starting a security company business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Security Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed security company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your security company business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your security company business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Security Company Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your security company business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your security company business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Security Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your security company business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your security company business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful security company :

• How to Start a Security Company

How To Write a Business Plan For a Security Company + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for security companies who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every security company  owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Security Company Business Plan?

A security company business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Security Company Business Plan?

A security company business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Security Company Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful security company business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a security company business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your security company .
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your security company , you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your security company , mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a security company business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the security company industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, customers of a security company may include:

• Small businesses
• Large businesses
• The military or other government organizations

You should also include information about your target customer’s buying habits. What are their purchasing decisions based on? How often do they purchase your type of product or service?

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those who might be influenced to buy your security company services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or you may promote your security company via PR, by doing speaking engagements or other events, or by getting involved with industry associations.

Operations Plan

This part of your security company business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a security company include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new services, hiring new employees, opening new locations, and so on.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific security company industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Security Company

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : What you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Security Company

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup security company .

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Security Company

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections.
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.).
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your security company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it. A business plan is also a necessity when seeking funding from investors or lenders.  

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Private Security Company Business Plan Template

Published Mar.20, 2017

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Jakub Babkins

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Table of Content

Do you want to start a Private Security business plan?

Security is one of the biggest concerns in the world right now. It has always been important to keep not only valuable items but also information secure and out of the wrong hands. Therefore, there is a significant need for investment in the business plan related to private security firms. 

Developing a business plan for a security company involves much more than coming up with a cool slogan. Much like a window cleaning business plan , you will need to learn how to write a business plan for a security company. 

Here, we are presenting the business plan for Diamond Phase, a private security firm. You can use this business plan to develop a plan for your own business. So, whatever the scale of your business, this template can act as a great help to design a successful business model.

Executive Summary

2.1 about the business .

Diamond Phase will be a security firm started by Jacque Hail. The firm will provide help with business planning process for security systems in different residential and commercial sectors. The company will offer a wide range of services, from securing full-fledged security systems for whole buildings to offering small-scale security services for a particular office or space. 

2.2 Management of Private Security Firm

Business plans for security companies need to be very thorough as they provide a very important service. The business needs to be well-managed to ensure proper functioning after the launch. This can be achieved through a security company business plan template like the one given here. 

You can also refer to professional business plan services to get an operational plan developed. If you possess some experience and you want to develop your plan on your own, you may take guidance from this security guard company business plan. 

2.3 Customers of Private Security Firm

The customers of Diamond Phase will belong to different scales of operations. As such, our customers for a basic business plan security are as follows:

• Residential Community
• Small/ Large Businesses
• Jewelry Stores
• Highly Sensitive Areas

2.4 Business Target

The target of Diamond Phase is to establish itself as a major player in the private security business in Portland. We want to be known as the most efficient security solution in Portland within two years of the launch. 

Furthermore, the financial targets we want to achieve within five years of operation are as follows:

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

The owner of the company will be Jacque Hail. Jacque worked as a security manager in a top security firm for two years. Before this, he attained his education in computer forensics and networks. He realized that he could utilize his experience and education to start a new security firm of its kind. And thus, Diamond Phase was ideated. 

3.2 History of Diamond Phase

While working as a security manager, Jacque saw that a lot of his clients required not only physical security measures but also computer network safety. Considering the rapid increase in the penetration of technology in every sector of the market, Jacque decided to present a business model that improved upon existing physical and computer security businesses. 

3.3 How the Private Security company will be started

Step1: Ideate the Business

The first part of any security business plan sample is the description of the company that you are trying to start. Nothing happens without an idea. Therefore, Jacques decided to build on his dream and create a concrete idea for his business plan of a security company.  

Step2: Research and Analysis

The next step to starting a business is to look into your market. This will help you filter out your major competitors and entry points in the market which can help you get ahead in the competition. As part of this security company business plan pdf, Jacque did comprehensive research about the security industry to identify his competitors. 

Step3: Register the Business  

Once Jacque knew that his business idea was viable, he looked into as many security company business plan examples as he could to learn the process of registration. He not only registered the company name to the state but also registered the space for a main office in the Portland commercial center.

Step4: Go Online

One of the best ways to advertise a business is through online ads and social media. Therefore, Jacque decided to hire a sales team with a social media sub-team to help with advertisement and the online existence of the company. 

Step5: Know Your Finances

Another important part of any business plan, even a plumbing company business plan, is the financial planning of its operations. To manage this, Diamond Phase will have a financial plan developed by a business consultancy firm.

Services 

The services of a business are its basis and the reason it exists. Before you start writing business plan for a security service company, you need to be very clear about the types of services you will be offering. This will not only help you to properly write a business plan for a private security company but also guide you throughout the operational years of your business. 

To write a private security business plan for his company, Jacques decided to lean back on his market research. It is because he knew that each sample business plan for security services decides its services according to market needs. From this research, he decided upon a list of services to include in this template to learn how to start a security company pdf. 

The general services for a private security firm are listed below. Some of these are identical to those mentioned in the locksmith business plan .

• Security Guards

The biggest service offered by Diamond Phase will be to provide teams of security guards for the maintenance of a manual security system in a commercial or residential area. The number and requirements of these guards will be agreed upon by the company and its clients. The guards will be hired and trained by the company and will work on a contract basis for our customers. 

• Automated Setups

Many places don’t require huge teams dedicated to security. For instance, security concerns in residential areas and homes can be handled by automated systems with just one physical team on site. To promote the efficient use of resources, Diamond Phase will provide state-of-the-art automated security systems to its customers. 

Not only will the company provide trained security personnel, but it will also provide training for the guards hired by our customers. The customers can hire us to provide regular sessions for proper training of their staff in electronic as well as manual security niche. 

• Network Security

As part of its hybrid business model, Diamond Phase will offer not only physical and automated security but also network security and maintenance personnel if needed by its data-sensitive clients.

Marketing Analysis of Private Security Company

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A security guard business proposal needs to contain everything from the preliminary idea of the business to the basic viability guarantees of the business. To establish a security business star up , you will need a comprehensive security systems business plan that contains all the details to make the business viable for existence. 

For his business plan for a security company , Jacque used his market research to build a strong case for starting Diamond Phase. If you want to learn how to start a private security company from scratch, you can follow this business plan for a security company pdf. You can also learn the basic idea from other plans, such as a dog training business plan .

Here, we will present the marketing analysis and details for Diamond Phase, through which you can learn how to open up a security company that can succeed. 

5.1 Market Trends

According to Statista, the private security industry in the US already has a market share of $32 billion, which is a $1 billion increase from 2019. The market is consistently growing with an increase in valuable projects, businesses, and residential areas. Therefore, this is the prime time to learn how to start a security agency as it will help the new business become a part of the growth spurt. 

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The customers targeted by Diamond Phase are as follows:

Business plan for investors

5.2.1 residential community.

The main customers of our company will be residential areas that require not only an automated security system in each home but also centralized security teams in place to deal with a breach. We expect to gain about 60% of our customer base from this domain. 

5.2.2 Small/ Large Businesses

We will also provide automated systems, network security services, and small batches of guards to small and large businesses. Mostly, these businesses will require a few guards and a basic automatic security system linked to the police. 

5.2.3 Jewelry Stores

Our company will also serve Jewelry stores that require a state-of-the-art automatic security system as well as an equipped security team that can respond in a short time. 

5.2.4 Highly Sensitive Areas

Lastly, Diamond Phase is aware that there are warehouses and hidden locations that often need security. We expect to come into business contracts with large companies.

5.3 Business Target

• Establish ourselves as an efficient and versatile one-stop solution in the market.
• To attain a customer satisfaction score of 98% within the first 6 months.
• To slowly expand our client base to include multinational corporations.

5.4 Product Pricing

The prices of our products will be competitive with the market baselines. We will offer a wide range of services to choose from so that our clients don’t have to look towards any other firm for full-coverage security solutions.

Strategy 

Setting up a security firm can be tough from a market standpoint. Most places already have trusted firms that they use for security systems. So, it can be hard starting a private security company in such an environment. To deal with these hardships, Jacque decided to come up with competitive advantages from the very beginning. His compelling sales strategy and competitive advantages are given in this business plan of a security company.

So, just as a dog daycare business plan can help a dog daycare business prosper, a business plan targeted at a security firm can help it succeed as well. Therefore, if you want to learn how to start a private security firm, you can go through the plan developed by Jacque for Diamond Phase. 

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We have a versatile business that offers security in 3 dimensions: manual, automatic, and communication network.
• Our customers can get one-stop solutions at our company, eliminating the need for multiple security systems.
• We have systems in place for training clients’ own employees and guards.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will offer comprehensive security packages based on a client’s needs.
• The services of our security analyst to design the security system will be free for clients.
• We will offer a money-back guarantee in case of any issues within the first year.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 sales yearly, 6.5 sales forecast, personnel plan.

When learning how to open up a security company, you need to go into details such as which type of workforce can help you maintain and run the business. Every private security company business plan contains these details.

The employees Jacque decided to hire for Diamond Phase are listed below in this business plan for a security company pdf. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 20 Trained Guards
• 2 Sales Executives to promote sales
• 1 Accountant
• 1 Receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

If you are new to the security domain, you may be wondering what you need to start a security company. The truth is, there are a lot of components that make a business plan security company successful. One of the essential components is the financial planning of the business. 

Financial planning can include details ranging from how much it costs to start a security company to the rates for your services. For the financial planning of the Diamond Phase, Jacque dived deep into the profit vs. cost analysis of services to ensure the sustainable working of the business.

The financial plan for the Diamond Phase with all its details is demonstrated below for a better understanding.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis, 8.3 projected profit and loss, 8.3.1 profit monthly, 8.3.2 profit yearly, 8.3.3 gross margin monthly, 8.3.4 gross margin yearly, 8.4 projected cash flow, 8.5 projected balance sheet, 8.6 business ratios.

• How do I write a business proposal for a security company?

You can learn how to write a business proposal for a security company through the example of a business plan for a security company given above. 

• How do you write an executive summary for a security company?

An executive summary is an important part of all security company business plans. To write one, you can look into the security company business plan template given above. 

• What are the goals of a security company?

The goals of a security company are dependent on many factors such as location, owner’s expectation, target market, investment, etc., all of which are demonstrated in the business plan for a security company.

Download sample a business plan for a security company pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Security

A Sample Security Guard Business Plan Template

Are you about starting a security guard company? If YES, here is a complete sample security guard business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . There is hardly any corporate building, business facility or highbrow residential estate that doesn’t have security guards. This goes to show that the security industry is an integral part of our world especially in periods such as this when crime and terrorism has reached an all – time high.

A security guard company is any company that provides both armed and unarmed security related services to both private and public clients at an agreed fee. According to the united states of Bureau of Labor Statistics, a private security company engages in services like providing security guards (bodyguard, guard dog, parking security and security guard services) and patrol services et al.

A Sample Security Guard Company Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The private security industry that security guard business falls under is indeed a fast – growing industry, at present there are about 2 million full – time security workers in the United States of America and this number is expected to grow by an estimate of 21 percent by 2022.

The global private security services industry was worth approximately 96 billion U.S. dollars in 2013 and statistics has it that the largest share of this market was held by Europe at almost 30 percent, then followed by Asia (with the exception of Japan) and North America.

The income of the private security services industry was set to reach an estimate of about 25 billion U.S. dollars in the United States in 2014. Security alarm services alone in the United States of America generated a whooping sum of 17 billion U.S. dollars per year between 2008 and 2014.

Statistics shows that in 2013, the money generated by the global security technology and related services market rose to just over 67 billion U.S. dollars and it was projected to reach an estimate of about 86 billion by the year 2016. Statistics also has it that the global spending on ICT related security services was set to reach approximately 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2015.

The private security industry is indeed a large industry which is why some of the leading private security companies worldwide such as UK-based G4S, Sweden-based Securitas AB and U.S.-based ADT Corporation – in 2013 could boast of generating 12.08 billion, 10.12 billion and 3.31 billion U.S. dollars respectively in just a calendar year.

In the United States of America, the fastest growing private security company in 2013 was Innovative Surveillance Solutions with a three – year combined revenue growth of about 5,605 percent.

The private security industry is one industry that is growing despite the fact that the government of various countries are not relenting when it comes to providing security for her citizens. One thing is certain, the private security industry is an evolving one and new technology and approaches are being employed when it comes to delivering standard and safer security services.

The industry can’t be said to be oversaturated simply because there are different areas (niches) a private security company can specialize in and if you are good with what you do, then you won’t struggle much to attract clients.

The factors that encourage entrepreneurs to venture into the private security industry is the ability to get good returns on their investment with minimal risks. For example, when you secure a contract to provide security guards for an event or an organization, the norm is that you will be financially mobilized before executing the contract.

People also get encouraged start their own private security companies because on the average it is cost effective to manage the business. It is the practice for private security outfits to recruit and train security guards, body guards and security dogs et al only when they have a security contract to execute which is why they don’t usually maintain a large workforce.

2. Executive Summary

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is an international security guard company that will be based in Beverly Hills – California. We have been able to secure all the required security clearance to run a security guard company in the United States.

We are aware that to run a standard security guard outfit can be demanding which is why we are well trained and equipped to perform excellently well. Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is a client-focused and result driven security guard company that provides broad-based security services at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pocket of our clients.

We will offer standard and professional security services such as the prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter, traffic regulation, access control, fire and theft prevention and detection, security advisory and consultancy services, roving patrol, bodyguard, and guard dog services et al to all our clients at local, state, national, and international level.

We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass our clients’ expectations whenever they contract their security concerns to our organization.

At Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc., our client’s best interest would always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hire professionals who are well experienced in a wide variety of private security services.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

Our plan is to position Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. to become one of the leading brands in the private security services industry in the whole of California, and also to be amongst the top 10 security guards company in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operation.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Beverly Hills – California is the right place to launch our security guard business before spreading to other parts of the United States.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is private – partnership business that is owned by Nicholas Johnson and his friend and business partner Leonardo Michael. The organization will be managed by both of them. Mr. Nicholas Johnson and Leonardo Michael graduated from the University of California – Berkley (First Degree), and University of Harvard (MBA).

Nicholas Johnson is a Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM), Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), Certified Security Compliance Specialist (CSCS), and Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), while Leonardo Michael is certified Industrial Security Professional (ISP®) and Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP).

They have combined to help build Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. to favorably compete with leading players in the private security industry in the United States of America and on the global stage.

3. Our Products and Services

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the private security services industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our security guard company is to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and ambition.

Our business offerings are listed below;

• Supply of bodyguard and guard dogs
• Prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter
• Traffic regulation services
• Access control services
• Fire and theft prevention and detection services
• Security advisory and consultancy services
• Roving patrol services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a security guard company brand that will become the number one choice for both individual and corporate clients in the whole of Beverly Hills – California.
• Our mission is to provide professional and trusted private security services that will assist individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations.
• We will position the business to become the leading brand in the private security services industry in the whole of California, and also to be amongst the top 10 security guard companies in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is a standard security guard company that intends to start small in Beverly Hills – California, but looks to grow big in order to compete with leading security guard companies both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the kind of world class business we want to own, this is why we are committed to only hiring the best hands within our area of operations. At Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc., we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all our stake holders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer

Chief Security Officer/Manager

Security Consultant

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

• Customer Services Executive
• Security Guards

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• In charge of fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Reports to the board
• Manages the overall activities of security staff members and equipment
• Achieves maximum profitability and over-all success by controlling costs and quality of service
• Schedule employees as necessary to ensure adequate and consistent levels of security service
• Responsible for security control policies and completion of necessary forms
• Co-ordinates the general execution of security services as requested by clients
• Summit security reports on a regular basis to the management of the organization and give professional advice as at when due
• Responsible for interviewing and hiring security guards, vendors, selecting and ordering materials, negotiating rates, coordinating the sequence of events as it relates to security services
• Plans, designs and produces security solutions (software and hardware et al) while managing all project delivery elements within time limits
• Liaises with clients to identify their security needs and to ensure customer satisfaction
• Conduct market research, gather information and negotiate contracts prior to closing any deals
• Provides security feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders
• Ensures compliance with insurance, legal, health and safety obligations
• Specifies staff requirements and coordinate their activities
• Cooperates with marketing and PR to promote and publicize safety concerns
• Proactively handle any arising issues and troubleshoot any emerging problems on the event day
• Conducts pre- and post – security evaluations and report on outcomes
• Offers security advisory and consultancy services to clients
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out induction of new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients provide the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

Security Guards:

• Responsible for prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter
• Handles traffic regulation services
• In charge of access control services
• Responsible for fire and theft prevention and detection services
• Part of the roving patrol services team
• Offers bodyguard services

6. SWOT Analysis

Due to our drive for excellence, we were able to engage some of the finest business consultants in Beverly Hills – California to look through our business concept and together we were able to critically examine the prospect of the business and access ourselves to be sure that we have what it takes to run a standard security guard company.

In view of that, we were able to take stock of our strengths, weakness, opportunities and also the threats that we are likely going to be exposed to in Beverly Hills – California. Here is a of what we got from the critically conducted SWOT Analysis Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc.;

Aside from the fact that our security guard company is of world – class standard and the business is well positioned and well-equipped to meet the 21 st century demand of both high profile corporate and individual clients, we have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that are trained and equipped to pay attention to details as regard security concerns. We are well positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our doors for business.

As a new private security outfit, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance from corporate clients in the already saturated private security services industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the private security services industry is massive considering the number of corporate and individual clients who can’t afford to leave the security of the properties and lives to government security agencies. As a standard security guard company, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Some of the threats that we may likely face as a security guard company operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies , the arrival of a competitor within our location of operation and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing cum spending power. There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The security industry is one of the industries that are highly regulated so as to prevent costly security breaches. So, if you are looking towards starting a security guard company, then you should acquire international security certifications; it will give you an edge over your competitors. The truth is that the more relevant security certifications that you and your team have, the easier it is for you to convince people to patronize your services.

Although if you are able to build a successful security company, you can pitch your business in any part of the world and still make success especially if you run a security consultancy and advisory business. But if you are just starting out; especially if you are a newbie in the security industry, it is important that you locate your business in an area with healthy business activities.

Social media has now become one of the most important tools security guard companies leverage on to disseminate information about their security concerns, solicit feedback, and create year-round engagement with their target audience. Furthermore, new software apps and emerging technology have made it easier for security guard companies to gather all the needed data and information that will help them plan and project for the future.

8. Our Target Market

Even though Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will initially serve small to medium sized businesses, from new ventures to well established businesses and individual clients, but that does not in any way stop us from growing to compete with the leading security guard companies in the United States.

As a well – equipped security guard company, Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. offers a wide range of security guard services hence we are well trained and equipped to service a wide range of clientele. Our target market cuts across people of different classes and people from all walks of life.

We are coming into the industry with a business concept that will enable us work with highly placed people and companies in the country and at the same with lowly placed people and smaller businesses. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically design our services for;

• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Political Parties/Politicians
• Estates and Communities
• Celebrities
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our Competitive Advantage

Surviving in the business world as a security guard company requires more than your expertise, but also how to network with key people that matters.

There are loads of big time investors such as Halliburton et al that have stakes in the private security industry, but one thing is certain, there is room big enough to accommodate both the large and small security guard companies.

What smaller security guard companies need to do to survive in the industry is to concentrate on providing security services to households, event planners, estates, communities, schools, hospitals and hotels et al before bidding for big security contracts from corporations.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. might be a new entrant into the private security services industry in the United States of America, but the management staff and owners of the business are considered gurus. They are highly qualified private security experts in the United States.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be amongst the best within our category in the industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the private security services industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis. Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will generate income by offering the following security guard services for individuals and for corporate organizations;

• Bodyguard, and guard dog services

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be corporate and individual clients who can’t afford to leave the security of their properties and lives to government security agencies.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Beverly Hills – California and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough profits from the first six months of operation and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Beverly Hills to other cities in California and other states in the U.S.

We have been able to critically examine the security guard services market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Beverly Hills – California.

Below are the sales projection for Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and the wide range of security guard services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year: $350,000
• Second Fiscal Year: $750,000
• Third Fiscal Year: $1.25 Million

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown within the period stated above, and there won’t be any major competitor offering same services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiff competition amongst security guard companies in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developers to handle our sales and marketing concerns.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization. We will also ensure that our excellent job deliveries speak for us in the market place; we want to build a standard security guard services business that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients.

Our goal is to grow our security guard services company to become one of the top 10 security guard services companies in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out a strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Beverly Hills – California but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, religious organizations, schools, households and key stake holders in and around Beverly Hills – California
• Promptness in bidding for private security services contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver quality private security services to them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us penetrate our target market. We are set to take the private security services industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our security guard company.

Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc.;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events/programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our billboards in strategic locations all around Beverly Hills – California
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Just like in services and consulting businesses, hourly billing for private security services is also a long – time tradition in the industry. However, for some types of contracts or clients, flat fees make more sense because they allow clients to better predict the overall service charges.

As a result of this, Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will charge our clients both flat fee and hourly billing as long as it favors both parties. At Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients.

In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to startups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises. We are aware that there are some clients that would need regular security guard services or related security consulting services, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via POS
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for services rendered without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to starting any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

The resources and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a security guard services company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money.

These are the key areas where we will spend our startup capital;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in the United States of America – $750
• The budget for basic insurance policy covers, permits and business license – $2,500
• The amount needed to acquire a suitable office facility (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $150,000
• The Cost for equipping the office (computers, software applications, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, security and safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $5,000
• The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
• The cost for the purchase of 21 st century security gadgets, software and guard dogs et al – $100,000
• Budget for paying employees for 2 months plus utility bills – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous: $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about four hundred and fifty thousand ( 450,000 ) U.S. dollars to successfully set up a medium scale but standard private security company in the United States of America.

Generating Startup Capital for Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is a private partnership business that will be owned by Nicholas Johnson and his friend Leonardo Michael. They are the sole financiers of the firm, but may likely welcome partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of startup capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our startup capital;

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from the Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $150,000 ( Personal savings $100,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $300,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The survival and profitability of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. One of our major goals of starting Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our security guard services a little bit lower than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Triple Protect® Security Guard, Inc. will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re training of our workforce is at the top burner.

We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of all forms of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Securing a standard office facility and reconstruction inclusive: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the startup capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed security gadgets, patrol vans, security software application, guard dogs, uniforms, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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Security Consulting Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Are you starting a security consulting business? Having a strong business plan in place is essential for the success of your business. Our Security Consulting Business Plan Template & Guidebook is designed to help you easily create a comprehensive business plan for your security consulting business. This guidebook provides step-by-step instructions on how to create each section of your business plan, as well as helpful tips and examples to ensure that your plan is thorough and effective. With our template and guidebook, you can confidently put together a solid business plan to help you achieve your security consulting business goals.

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• How to Start a Profitable Security Consulting Business [11 Steps]
• 25 Catchy Security Consulting Business Names:
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Security Consulting Business:

How to Write a Security Consulting Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your security consulting business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your security consulting business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a security consulting business:

At Security Consulting, our mission is to provide clients with the highest level of security and protection services, utilizing our expertise and cutting-edge technology to safeguard their businesses, homes, and personal assets. We strive to be a trusted partner for our clients, delivering personalized solutions that meet their unique security needs and exceed their expectations. Our team is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry, constantly updating our knowledge and skills to provide the most effective and innovative solutions to our clients.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Security Consulting Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your security consulting business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your security consulting business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your security consulting business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your security consulting business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a security consulting business?

To run a security consulting business, the following equipment, supplies, and permits are needed:

• Computer and office equipment
• Security analysis and assessment software
• Security surveillance equipment
• Business license
• Background checks for employees

In addition to these items, it is also important for the business to have knowledgeable and experienced employees who are trained in security analysis and assessment techniques.

5. Management & Organization of Your Security Consulting Business.

The second part of your security consulting business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your security consulting business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Security Consulting Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a security consulting business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a security consulting business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your security consulting business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your security consulting business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your security consulting business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Security Consulting Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a security consulting business.

A business plan is a document that outlines the goals and objectives of a business, as well as the strategies and tactics that will be used to achieve those goals. It is important to have a business plan for your security consulting business because it helps to focus the efforts of the company, communicate the business's goals and objectives to potential investors, and provide a roadmap for the business to follow. Additionally, a business plan can be used to help secure funding from investors or lenders, who will want to see that the business has a solid plan in place before they provide funding.

How to write a business plan for your security consulting business?)

To build a business plan for your security consulting business, start by researching your industry, competitors, and target market. Use this information to define your business's goals and objectives, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. Next, create a financial plan that outlines your projected income, expenses, and profit. This should include a projected income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet. Once you have all of this information, you can use it to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals and objectives of your business, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. A well-written security consulting business plan contains the following sections: Purpose, Products & Services, Marketing Plan (including Marketing Strategy), Operations/Management Plan (including Operations/Management Strategy), Financial Plan (including Financial Forecasts), and Appendixes.

Can you write a security consulting business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a security consulting business plan yourself. Writing a business plan is a valuable exercise that can help you clarify your business idea, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and develop a roadmap for success. While there are many resources and templates available to help you write a business plan, the process of creating one is ultimately up to you.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Private Security Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Security Industry » Private Security Company

Are you about starting a private security agency ? If YES, here is a complete sample private security company business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

The security industry is an integral part of our world- especially in periods such as this when crime and terrorism has been taken to an all – time high. As a matter of fact, The united states and of course all the countries of the world spend fortunes annually on security; the budget for security is always on the increase every New Year because people that perpetuate crimes and terror are becoming sophisticated as the year goes by.

Basically, a private security company is any company that provides both armed and unarmed security related services and expertise to both private clients and public clients at an agreed fee.

According to the United States of Bureau of Labor Statistics, a private security company is a company that engages in services like providing security guards (bodyguard, guard dog, parking security and security guard services) and patrol services et al.

The average private security outfit can go as far as providing advanced special operations services for special clients when they make demand of it.

For instance; it is the duty of security companies to provide security related services such as the prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter, traffic regulation, access control, and fire and theft prevention and detection et al.

These services can be largely described as the protection of personnel and/or assets.  Private security outfits can also offer security related services such as roving patrol, bodyguard, and guard dog services et al.

A Sample Private Security Company Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

It is obvious that the private security industry is indeed a fast growing industry, at present there are about 2 million full-time security workers in the United States of America and this number is expected to grow by an estimate of 21 percent by 2022.

The worldwide private security services industry was approximately 96 billion U.S. dollars in size way back 2013 and statistics has it that the largest share of this market was held by Europe at almost 30 percent,  then followed by Asia (with the exception of Japan) and North America.

The income of the private security services industry was set to reach an estimate of about 25 billion U.S. dollars in the United States in 2014. Security alarm services alone in the United States of America generated whooping sum of 17 billion U.S. dollars per year between 2008 and 2014.

It is on record that in 2013, the money generated by the global security technology and related services market rose just over 67 billion U.S. dollars and was projected to reach an estimate of about 86 billion by the year 2016. Statistics also has it that the global spending on ICT related security services was set to reach approximately 50 billion U.S. dollars in 2015.

Without doubt, the private security industry is indeed a large industry which is why some of the leading private security companies worldwide such as UK-based G4S, Sweden-based Securitas AB and U.S.-based ADT Corporation – in 2013 could boast of generating 12.08 billion, 10.12 billion and 3.31 billion U.S. dollars respectively in just a calendar year.

Whereas in the United States of America, the fastest-growing private security company in 2013 was Innovative Surveillance Solutions with a three-year combined revenue growth of about 5,605 percent.

It is on record that of the 15 fastest-growing private security companies, Datto (A Connecticut-based Company specializes in hardware-based backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services) generated the most revenue that year with 48.9 million U.S. dollars.

Statistics also has it that in 2010, the revenue of security services in the United States of America is estimated to be at about 25.2 billion U.S. dollars.

Without mincing words, the private security industry is one industry that is growing despite the point that the government of various countries are not relenting when it comes to providing security for her citizens. One thing is certain, the private security industry is an evolving one and new technology and approaches are being employed when it comes to delivering standard and safer security services.

The industry can’t be said to be oversaturated simply because there are different areas (niches) a private security company can specialize in and if you are good with what you do, then you won’t struggle much to continue to attract clients both nationally and internationally.

The factors and incentives that encourage entrepreneurs to venture into the private security industry are the ability to get good returns on your investment with minimal risks. For example, when you secure a contract to provide security for an event or an organization, the norm is that you will be financially mobilized before executing the contract.

People also get encouraged to go into starting their own private security companies because on the average it is cost effective to manage the business / workforce. It is the practice for private security outfits to recruit and trained security guards, bodyguards and security dogs et al when only when they have a security contract to execute which is why they don’t usually maintain a large workforce.

2. Executive Summary

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is a first – class and licensed private security company that will be based in Carson City – Nevada. We have been able to secure all the required security clearance to and office facility to run a private security company in the United States.

We are aware that to run a standard private security outfit can be demanding which is why we are well trained and equipped to perform excellently well. Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is a client-focused and result driven private security outfit that provides broad-based security services at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pocket of our clients.

We will offer a standard and professional security services such as the prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter, traffic regulation, access control, and fire and theft prevention and detection, security advisory and consultancy services, roving patrol, bodyguard, and guard dog services et alto all our individual clients, and corporate clients at local, state, national, and international level.

We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass our clients’ expectations whenever they contract their security concerns to our organization.

At Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions, our client’s best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hire professionals who are well experienced in a wide variety of private security services.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our plan is to position Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions to become one of the leading brands in the private security services industry in the whole of Nevada, and also to be amongst the top 20 private security outfits in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Carson City – Nevada is the right place to launch our private security business before spreading to other parts of the United States.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is private – partnership business that is owned by Stevenson Murray and his friend and business partner Gabby Larry – White. The organization will be managed by both of them.  Mr. Stevenson Murray and Gabby Larry – White graduated from both The University of California – Berkley (First Degree), and University of Harvard (MBA).

Stevenson Murray is a Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM), Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP), Certified Security Compliance Specialist (CSCS), and Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), while Gabby Larry – White is certified Industrial Security Professional Certification (ISP®) and Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP). They have combined hands on experience to help build Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions.

3. Our Products and Services

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of private security services industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our private security outfit is to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and ambition.

Our business offering are listed below;

• Prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter
• Traffic regulation services
• Access control services
• Fire and theft prevention and detection services
• Security advisory and consultancy services
• Roving patrol services
• Bodyguard, and guard dog services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a private security company brand that will become the number one choice for both individual clients and corporate clients in the whole of Carson City – Nevada.
• Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to provide professional and trusted private security services that assist individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations.
• We are to position the business to become the leading brand in the private security services industry in the whole of Nevada, and also to be amongst the top 20 private security outfits in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is a standard private security services outfit that intends to start small in Carson City – Nevada, but looks to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading private security services outfits both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hiring the best hands within our area of operations.

At Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company. In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer

Chief Security Officer / Manager

Security Consultant

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

• Customer Services Executive
• Security Guards

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Manages the overall activities of security staff members and equipment
• Achieves maximum profitability and over-all success by controlling costs and quality of service.
• Completes weekly schedules. Schedule employees as necessary to ensure adequate and consistent levels of security service.
• Supervises weekly schedules. Schedule staff as necessary to ensure adequate and consistent levels of service
• Responsible for security control policies and completion of necessary forms.
• Co-ordinates the general execution of security services as requested by clients.
• Summit security reports on a regular basis to the management of the organization and give professional advice as at when due.
• Responsible for interviewing and hiring security guards, vendors, selecting and ordering materials, negotiating rates, coordinating the sequence of events as it relates to security services
• Plans, designs and produces security solutions (software and hardware et al) while managing all project delivery elements within time limits
• Liaises with clients to identify their security needs and to ensure customer satisfaction
• Conducts market research, gather information and negotiate contracts prior to closing any deals
• Provides security feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders
• Proposes ideas to improve provided security services
• Ensures compliance with insurance, legal, health and safety obligations
• Specifies staff requirements and coordinate their activities
• Cooperates with marketing and PR to promote and publicize safety concerns
• Proactively handle any arising issues and troubleshoot any emerging problems on the event day
• Conducts pre- and post – security evaluations and report on outcomes
• Research market, identifies security services opportunities and generate interest
• Offers security advisory and consultancy services to clients
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

Security Guards:

• Responsible for prevention of unauthorized activity or entry in a specified perimeter
• Handle traffic regulation services
• In charge of access control services
• Responsible for fire and theft prevention and detection services
• Part of the roving patrol services team
• Offer bodyguard , and guard dog services

6. SWOT Analysis

Because of our drive for excellence when it comes to running a standard private security services business, we were able to engage some of the finest business consultants in Carson City – Nevada to look through our business concept and together we were able to critically examine the prospect of the business and to access ourselves to be sure we have what it takes to run a standard private security outfit

In view of that, we were able to take stock of our strengths, our weakness, our opportunities and also the threats that we are likely going to be exposed to in Carson City – Nevada. Here is a of what we got from the critically conducted SWOT Analysis Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions;

Aside from the reality that all our private security company is of world – class standard and the business is well positioned and well – equipped to meet the 21 st century demand of both high profile corporate and individual clients, we have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that are trained and equipped to pay attention to details as regard security concerns. We are well positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our doors for business.

As a new private security outfit, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance in the already saturated private security services industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the private security services industry is massive considering the number of corporate clients and individual clients who can’t afford to leave the security of the properties and lives to government security agencies. As a standard and world – class private security outfit, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Some of the threats that we may likely face as a private security outfit operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing cum spending power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The security industry is one of the industries that is highly regulated so as to prevent costly security breaches that endanger the security of a country. So if you are looking towards starting a private security company, then you should acquire international security certifications; it will give you edge amongst your competitors.

The truth is that, the more relevant security certifications that you and your team have, the easier it is for you to convince people to patronize your services. Although if you are able to build a successful security company brand, you can pitch your business in any part of the world and still make success out of the business especially if you run a security consultancy and advisory business.

But if you are just starting out; especially if you are a newbie in the security industry, it is important that you locate your business in an area with healthy business activities.

As a matter of fact, social media has now become one of the most important tools private security outfits leverage on to disseminate information about their security concerns, solicit feedback, and create year-round engagement with their target audience.

Furthermore, new software apps and emerging technology have made it easier for private security outfits to gather all the needed data and information that will help them plan and project for the future.

8. Our Target Market

Although Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions will initially serve small to medium sized business, from new ventures to well established businesses and individual clients, but that does not in any way stop us from growing to be able to compete with the leading private security companies in the United States.

As a standard and well – equipped private security company, Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions offers a wide range of private security services hence we are well trained and equipped to services a wide range of clientele base. Our target market cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life, local and international organizations as well.

We are coming into the industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the highly placed people and companies in the country and at the same with the lowly placed people and smaller businesses. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically design our products and services for;

• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Political Parties / Politicians
• Households / Families
• Estates and Communities
• Celebrities
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our Competitive Advantage

Surviving in the business world as a private security company requires more than, your expertise, knowing how to deliver standard security contracts but also how to network with key people that matters; decision makers that can decide who a security contract is giving to and all that.

No doubt there are loads of big time investors such as Halliburton et al that have a stake in the private security industry, but one thing is certain, there is room big enough to accommodate both the big private security companies and the small private security companies.

What smaller private security companies need to do to survive in the industry is to concentrate on providing security services to households, event planners, estates, communities, schools, hospitals and hotels et al before bidding for big security contracts from corporations and government agencies.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions might be a new entrant into the private security services industry in the United States of America, but the management staffs and owners of the business are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals and licensed and highly qualified private security experts in the United States.

We are a world – class and standard private security business that is well positioned and well – equipped to meet the 21 st century security demand of both high profile corporate and individual clients. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be amongst the best within our category (startups private security services companies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the private security services industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis and sign retainer – ship with most of our clients.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions will generate income by offering the following private security services for individuals and for corporate organizations;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be corporate clients and individual clients who may not be able to afford to leave the security of the properties and lives to government security agencies. As a standard and world – class private security outfit, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Carson City – Nevada and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Carson City to other cities in Nevada and other states in the U.S.

We have been able to critically examine the private security services market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Carson City – Nevada.

Below are the sales projection for Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions, it is based on the location of our business and the wide range of private security services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $350,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $750,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $1.25 Million

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. There won’t be any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition amongst private security services companies in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing concerns.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis, so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent job deliveries speaks for us in the market place; we want to build a standard private security services business that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow our private security services company to become one of the top 20 private security services companies in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the Carson City – Nevada but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, religious organizations, schools, households and key stake holders in Lincoln and other cities in Carson City – Nevada
• Promptness in bidding for private security services contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver quality private security services to them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to take the private security services industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our private security services outfit. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Carson City – Nevada
• Engage in road show from time to time in target neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Just like in services and consulting business, hourly billing for private security services is also a long – time tradition in the industry.  However, for some types of contracts or clients flat fees make more sense because they allow clients to better predict the overall service charges.

As a result of this, Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions charge our clients both flat fee and hourly billing as long as it favors both parties. At Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance.

In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises. We are aware that there are some clients that would need regular access to private security services, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is an all-inclusive one because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via POS
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for our services.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a private security services company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. These are the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in the United States of America- $750.
• The budget for basic insurance policy covers, permits and business license – $2,500
• The amount needed to acquire a suitable office facility (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $150,000.
• The Cost for equipping the office (computers, software applications, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, security and safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $5,000
• The Cost of Launching an official Website – $600
• The cost for the purchase of 21 st century security gadgets, software and guard dogs et al – $100,000
• Budget for paying  employees for 2 months plus utility bills – $100,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous: $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about seven hundred and fifty thousand ( 450,000 ) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard private security company in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is a private – partnership business that will be owned by Stevenson Murray and his friend and business partner Gabby Larry – White. They are the sole financial of the firm, but may likely welcome partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $150,000 (Personal savings $100,000 and soft loan from family members $50,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $300,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our private security services a little bit lower than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Stevenson & Gabby® Security Solutions will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of six years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Securing a standard office facility and reconstruction inclusive: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed security gadgets, patrol vans, security software application, security / guard dogs, uniforms, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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Enterprise Planning: 6 Steps to Creating a Security Plan that Works

Significant events spark change.

Just as the invention of the computer revolutionized technology in the workplace, the COVID-19 virus and its related complications were no exception to this pattern, pushing thousands of companies to embrace remote work. A recent report by Global Workplace Analytics shares that while only 3% of the U.S. workforce worked remotely (at least half the time) before pandemic-related changes, an estimated 25-30% will work from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.

This overnight evolution brought new security concerns to enterprise organizations. Dispersed teams require increased reliance on technology and mobile IP. Consumers turned to e-commerce and home deliveries over shopping in-store, and those who did unintentionally posed increased security risks as mask mandates made it challenging to identify shoppers and prevent potential theft.

No matter what industry or niche your enterprise services, having a workable security plan in place helps protect your data, products, and team better. Here’s a practical, six-step process to help you ideate, create, and implement the security plan you need to help your senior security officer sleep at night.

1. Analyze Your Security Needs

You can’t protect what you don’t know needs guarding. Before you can start developing, implementing, and measuring the effectiveness of your security plan, you need to understand your business, and the information that needs to be secured, and the associated risks that come from not protecting it.

Know your business

The first step in creating an effective security plan is to understand what products’ or information must be secured. Determining what needs to be protected requires a deep understanding of your enterprise. Where it has been, where it’s going, and where it will be in the future all come into play during the security planning phase as you consider revenue sources, client information, leadership goals, existing IP, expansion plans, and more. Questions like “do you have remote employees who need a secure network connection?“, and ”do your high-value products need better in-person support to keep them safe?“ help identify areas of need.

Assess existing risk

Once you know what your corporate security policy will protect, understanding risk early in the planning process helps establish benchmark metrics for success and set a foundation for additional or expanded goals down the road. A thorough risk assessment gauges how much damage an incident or other unforeseen force could do if and when it occurs. Thinking through these worst-case scenarios helps create a realistic security plan, so you’ll be better equipped to respond when the real threat comes.

2. Make a Security Plan

Once you have an understanding of the data that needs protecting and your current risk, you’re ready to create the policies and procedures that form a well-rounded security plan. The risk assessments conducted during the planning phase are invaluable as you determine the specific areas of risk each policy should address. From remote access and password sharing to in-person fraud prevention, each aspect of your security plays a vital role in either protecting the others or leaving them open to vulnerabilities.

If just one security policy or procedure leaves room for error, you leave your enterprise vulnerable to an overall break or larger incident. No company is too small to be targeted , and according to Forbes, every company likely will be at some point. Some points to consider as you make your security plan:

• Research how other companies in your industry successfully handle sensitive data or inventory.
• Ask questions and get feedback throughout the planning process to prevent unintentional blind spots.
• Work within relevant standards (HIPAA, GLBA, etc.) to ensure compliance.
• Set clear standards for handling sensitive data, IP, brick-and-mortar security, etc.
• Have a security officer designated to support and enforce the policy and conduct audits and corrective action when needed.
• Be open: your security policy will need regular updates as your team grows and compliance changes.

After you’ve developed solid policies to make up your security plan, get it in writing and have all employees sign it after they have completed training. This gives employees a clear point of reference by outlining proper security protocols and provides supporting evidence for correction if a policy is violated.

3. Get People on Board

While your team is your greatest asset and the driving force behind continued success, they can also be your biggest security vulnerability if they don’t understand your security plan and how to follow it. Developing a security-first culture—especially in a fully-remote or hybrid workplace —means focusing less on the tech and infrastructure and more on how you can reinforce team members’ behaviors and habits to best protect your data. Employees often unintentionally place your products or information at risk, from falling for phishing scams and compromising passwords to using employee discounts for too many family members and friends.

These types of accidental violations can be thoroughly mitigated through security awareness training . Learning to create a strong password and set boundaries with purchasing are two great examples. As your policies change or expand, continued education helps keep your security plan optimized by making sure your team is properly trained at all times. Once they’re equipped to handle data safely, they’ll also be more ready to help minimize larger incidents when they inevitably happen.

4. Define and Address Incident Response

Incident response should be a collaborative process—not a defensive, last-resort action like many companies think. Outlining how your enterprise and teams define, assess, and respond to an incident or breach is perhaps the most powerful tool in your security plan arsenal.

Your incident response should answer several important questions:

• How can we best prepare for potential incidents?
• What should breach or incident reporting and assessment look like?
• Who will handle incidents when they happen?
• How can we learn from breaches to prevent future incidents?

Asking—and answering—these questions before an incident occurs not only helps you be more prepared when a breach occurs but can actually lessen the chances of a potential breach or incident occurring.

5. Implement Your Security Plan

You’re ready to put your security plan into action—but even the best security policy will fail without full team support and stellar incident response protocols. The easiest way to help your team follow your security policy? Keep it simple , and make it specific. Clear communication, regular security training, and dedicated security professionals empower your team to keep your data safe.

As you implement your new security policy, keep in mind that new regulations are rarely perfectly enforced—especially at first. No one is perfect, and accidental errors are inevitable. Give your team a grace period and offer warnings and corrections instead of penalties as you learn safer security practices together. Encouraging your team members and thanking them for their efforts to support and enforce your policy are the final steps in making your security plan work.

6. Don’t Go It Alone

You’ve developed, created, and implemented your security plan. But that doesn’t mean your work is done. Partnering with a risk management company to augment and support your IT and security team protects your products, systems, and information today and tomorrow. As your team scales and needs evolve, laying the groundwork for adequate continued security gives you the confidence you need to move forward safely and securely.

At Resolver, our sophisticated, easy-to-use solutions are designed to help your growing enterprise reach new heights. Whether you need improved corporate security, best-in-class risk and compliance, or experienced IT management, Resolver’s technology and data-driven reporting help you drive your business forward. Contact us today to request your demo and see how our solutions can work for you.

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Provide your organization’s board and senior leaders a top-down, strategic perspective of risks on the horizon. Manage risk holistically and proactively to increase the likelihood your business will achieve its core objectives.

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A Cybersecurity Plan for Small Business Owners

Table of Contents

If you thought cybersecurity was something only big businesses had to worry about, think again. Small companies are at risk of cyberattacks too, and it would be a mistake not to prepare your organization to defend against them. Fortunately, a five-step cybersecurity plan could be enough to keep your business protected.

What is a cybersecurity plan?

A cybersecurity plan is designed to repel threats from online criminals. The most effective cybersecurity defenses are investing in technology and staff training. Training staff is particularly important because 85% of data breaches are caused by employee mistakes, according to a study by Tessian.

Cybersecurity plans not only serve as methods of prevention, but they can also include what to do in the event a breach does occur. The goal, of course, is to mitigate any damage and recover as quickly as possible so your company can get back to business as usual.

How do you create a cybersecurity plan?

To create an effective cybersecurity plan, you first need to identify which assets need protecting and where your vulnerabilities lie so you can apply the right technological and human patches. Once put in place, companies should regularly review their cybersecurity policies to identify and defend against new threats.

From assessment to implementation, follow these steps when creating a cybersecurity plan for your business.

Step 1: Decide what’s important.

In your initial cybersecurity risk assessment , do the following:

• Determine what data is essential. Over time, businesses accumulate massive amounts of information on customers, suppliers and employees. Figure out what data you need to operate your business and eliminate the rest.
• Decide who should have access to data and why. Some data may be needed by your accounts team only. Make sure each employee can access only the data they need to perform their role successfully. 

Step 2: Identify and fix technical vulnerabilities.

Before you start to build your technical firewall, understand where your problems are now and why they arose.

• Check for malware. You may have malware and ransomware already on your network. Purge your system of them as soon as possible.
• Delete any software you no longer use. If you no longer use a piece of software to operate your business, chances are you’re not updating it with the latest security patches. Delete it to eliminate potential threats.
• Consider banning BYOD (“bring your own device”). Personal devices generally have lower levels of security than business devices. If staff currently use their own laptops to connect to your network, consider purchasing equipment for them to use instead so you can set the ideal security levels.
• Know what connects to your network. Create a list of devices with permission to connect to your network, and update the registry frequently. It’s much easier for a hacker to gain overall control of your system if any device can connect to it.
• Decide account privileges. Create a virtual barrier, known as ringfencing, around parts of your computer system depending on employee seniority and data needs. An admin is not likely to need the same access to programs and data as your CFO. So if a hacker does break in via the admin’s credentials, the areas the hacker can access would be greatly restricted by default, reducing the amount of damage they can do.

Step 3: Establish your technical defenses.

Your technical defenses should include the following solutions and strategies.

• Antivirus software: The best antivirus and internet security software stops ransomware and malware from being downloaded to your computer network via a rogue link on a website or an email attachment. 
• Strong firewalls: Firewalls monitor traffic across your computer network and block traffic that fails predetermined security tests. More advanced firewalls learn patterns of traffic over time and create additional security rules. 
• Encryption: Make sure all information transmitted on your network is encrypted. If a hacker does manage to get in, it would take billions of years to crack the Advanced Encryption Standard, the modern encryption algorithm.
• Backups: Choose an encrypted cloud backup service to protect your data, and do multiple backups each day. Having a backup means that when you regain control of your system after a breach, you can download the most recent database to your system.
• Software update cycles: Sign up for newsletters from the vendors of the software titles you use. This will help you stay up to date with updates and security patches. While many software programs update automatically, not all do, so check once a month that each program is updated.
• Software swaps: If a software package you’re using has been retired and the vendor no longer provides security patches for it, swap it for a similar package that is supported.
• Wi-Fi network security: If possible, hide your Wi-Fi network, so it can’t be discovered by others, by switching off the beacon frame. Learn more about setting up Wi-Fi for your business .
• Password management: Ideally, passwords should be managed by a central team using 256-bit encryption to allow and deny employees and contractors access to your network.
• Two-factor authentication: For additional security, two-factor authentication (2FA) requires users to receive a message on a second, recognized device to verify their identity – similar to how Google asks you to authenticate signing in to your account on a tablet by sending a message to your mobile phone.

Protection for Internet of Things (IoT) devices: Cameras, printers and other internet-connected devices are favorite attack vectors for cybercriminals. Don’t limit your protection efforts only to computers.

Step 4: Establish your human defenses.

Let your employees know why stopping hackers is vital. Impress on them how all it takes is one big attack to threaten the existence of the entire company and their jobs. Then train them on what they need to be aware of and what they should do if something suspicious happens. Use this guidance as a starting point:

• Be suspicious of every email and phone call. Train staff to be alert to phishing attempts. For example, if someone claiming to be the CEO calls up the accounts team demanding an invoice be paid immediately, require team members to perform safety checks to make sure it was actually the CEO making the demand and that the invoice is genuine.
• Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi without a VPN. Public Wi-Fi equipment using the WPA2 protocol is insecure. Make sure your staff connect to public Wi-Fi only if they are using an encrypted virtual private network (VPN) platform. For even greater security, require employees to connect via 4G or 5G if available.  
• Don’t overshare on social media. The more information a person shares on social media, the more likely it is that a hacker can guess their password. Phishing attacks also become harder for staff to detect if a cybercriminal references information they gathered from social media.
• Ask for permission before allowing remote desktop access. Some cyberattackers pretend to be from a company’s IT services team and then gain access to an employee’s computer through remote desktop access. Ask staff to check with your IT manager before allowing this type of access. [See our recommendations for the best remote PC access software .]  

Step 5: Monitor employee performance.

For a cybersecurity plan to be effective, you’ll need to regularly check that your employees are responding positively to their training and putting what they’ve learned into practice. You may want to run periodic tests to see whether team members have retained the knowledge they need to keep the business safe. Retrain those who may not have understood everything, and consider rewarding employees for spotting security threats and reporting them to their managers.

Cybersecurity attacks are constantly evolving, so you may want to offer additional training as new threats emerge.

What are the common types of cybersecurity attacks?

According to Acronis , 43% of all cybersecurity attacks are against small and midsize businesses (SMBs). Worryingly, a BullGuard study found that one-third of SMBs with 50 or fewer employees in America use inadequate, free consumer security products to protect their companies. What’s even worse is that 1 in 3 use no security at all.

Given that the threat of cybercrime is changing all the time as technology develops and businesses become more connected to and reliant on the web, it’s critical companies invest in cybersecurity protection and understand the potential for cyberattacks. The current greatest cybersecurity threats to SMBs include phishing and extortion. 

• The purpose of phishing is to get people to reveal sensitive details like account logins, credit card numbers and passwords. Most phishing attempts are carried out by email, followed by phone calls and text messages. Common phishing attempts include spoof emails purportedly from well-known retailers asking you to log back in because “your account has been frozen” and text messages from courier companies asking you to make up an alleged underpayment on a delivery.
• Identity theft is the theft of personal or company financial details to set up loans, credit cards and trade accounts in your name. They get the money or the goods, but you’re stuck with the bill.
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm websites, email servers and internal computer networks by sending millions of near-simultaneous requests for access. To get back control, you normally have to pay a ransom.
• Software vulnerability exploitation occurs when hackers look for computer networks where software patches haven’t been applied, as it’s easier to gain entry when there are security holes. Networks using software no longer supported by vendors are also a major target for cybercriminals.
• The goal of malware is to damage a computer network, server or individual terminal. This happens in many different ways, including cryptocurrency mining, keystroke logging , and by creating system backdoors that allow hackers to load more software onto your system at a later date.
• With extortion, hackers copy sensitive or commercially valuable data stored on your system and then threaten to sell it to a competitor or widely distribute it if a ransom is not paid.
• Data diddling involves altering data as it’s input into a computer system to create a financial benefit. Payroll, credit records and inventory records are vulnerable to this type of attack. To make detection harder, some hackers change the altered numbers back after they’ve got your money.
• With IoT hacks, cybercriminals gain access to a corporate computer network via poorly protected security cameras, printers and other connected devices.
• Victims of man-in-the-middle attacks are fooled into thinking they’re communicating with someone they know. For example, a hacker may pretend to be your property lawyer and send an email asking you to transfer your property deposit into a specific account. It can take weeks before consumers or lawyers realize there’s been a crime. This technique is also used in business email compromise fraud.
• Hackers use password attacks to gain entry into individuals’ or companies’ computer networks and online accounts. Sometimes, it’s a brute-force attack, where millions of passwords are tried simultaneously in the hopes one is correct. Other times, information targets share about themselves on company websites and social media is used to guess passwords.

What does your business have that cybercriminals want?

Cybercriminals are looking for specific information when they hack businesses.

• Sensitive commercial data: Cybercriminals know the market value of the data stored on a business’s computer system, and many gangs offer industrial espionage-as-a-service. Instead of sending thieves to break into competitors’ physical premises, companies can pay hackers to break in electronically to get copies of rivals’ customer databases, obtain details on research and development projects, and more.
• Customer databases: Information about your highest-spending customers can be sold on the black market or to competitors.
• Customer payment details: Unencrypted debit or credit card information is not as valuable as it used to be because banks are getting better at spotting and stopping fraudulent payments. A compromised credit card may work for only an hour or two before it’s blocked, but that’s enough time to inflict serious damage.
• Your company’s identity: Many cybercriminals attempt to change company details held at government agencies to open accounts with suppliers to order goods and financial institutions to take out loans.
• Money in the bank: Although successful checking account breaches are quite rare, cybergangs can still cause significant financial damage to businesses with ransomware and phishing attacks.

What is cybersecurity insurance?

As the threat from cybercrime has grown, so has the number of cybersecurity insurance providers. These insurers provide compensation for incident investigations, data recovery, computer system restoration, income loss, reputational damage, ransoms paid and notification costs.

Extended cybersecurity insurance also includes coverage for legal bills incurred defending yourself against claims related to a breach, as well as for settlements and damages. Insurers will generally not cover lost profits, loss of company value caused by intellectual property theft, or replacing or upgrading technology to become more cybersecure.

Why is it important to safeguard your business against cyberattacks?

Business owners, small and large, need to be vigilant against online threats to protect their company reputation, financial assets and client base. Customers expect the companies they deal with to hold their private information securely. It costs time and money to be digitally secure, but why not turn that into a selling point? Let clients know in your advertising just how seriously you take protecting their personal, professional and financial information. Those safeguards could pay off in more ways than one.

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Creating a comprehensive cyber security plan template for small businesses: A step-by-step guide for protecting your business from cyber attacks

A cyber attack is disastrous for businesses. This is even more true for small businesses without the proper security strategies in place. 

Luckily, you can protect your business from unwanted threats with a cyber security plan template for small business success. 

Keep reading to learn about the importance of strong cyber security practices and find out how you can create your own plan. 

What is a cyber security plan template for small business?

A cyber security plan template for small business outlines everything you need to protect your business from cyber security threats. 

Our research indicates that any effective cyber security plan includes both preventative and reactionary measures for cyber-attacks and breaches.

What is the purpose of the cyber security plan template for small business?

There are many reasons behind a cyber security plan template for small businesses. As per our expertise, preparing against security threats is crucial to reduce risk as your company grows. 

In general, a cyber security plan takes three factors into account.

• Technologies: Downloading protection software for your devices.
• Processes: Educating your team and enforcing security policies.
• Access controls: Segmenting your business information, and giving access to only those who need it.

Focusing on these three factors, a cyber security template clarifies the different kinds of security risks you need in order to protect your company.

Why you need a cyber security plan

Every day, your team relies on business data to keep operations moving. This includes:

• Customer information.
• Financial data.
• Sales history.

If you lose this data to a cyber security breach, you risk losing your business.  

Unfortunately, no business is immune to cyber security threats! Our findings show that even organizations at the forefront of their industry have fallen victim to this.

But it’s a lesser known fact that small and medium businesses are the prime targets for cyber attacks.

“43% of cyber attacks target small businesses.” – Cybint , 2022.

A cyber security strategy is your first line of defense against these attacks. A complete security plan prevents cyber attacks, and provides quick solutions when required. 

Based on our firsthand experience, the more secure your organization, the more trust customers have in your product or service. And more trust leads to more sales .

For example, companies with log-in websites often implement two-factor authentication for their users. This adds an additional level of security, as it requires more than just a password for access to your system. 

Without proper security procedures, both your physical computers and online accounts are at risk of security breaches. And through our practical knowledge, if you don’t take advantage of antivirus resources, for example, entire operating systems can crash on you.

Usually, companies that thrive in cybersecurity have systems in place that prevent and solve security issues. And drawing from our experience, you can achieve both with an incident response plan.

Planning for the worst saves you time and stress. More importantly, it clarifies exactly what actions you need to take in the event of an emergency. 

The more concise your plan, the better your business will be at handling cybersecurity responsibilities.

Local network security devices like firewalls are key in filtering the connection between your private network and the public Internet.

Encryption of sensitive files on your computer, or within applications, is another key factor to consider. Any file or program that contains customer data is important to protect. 

Let’s take a look at the cyber threats that can affect your business below.

Common cyber threats for small businesses

Of course, one of the requirements for creating a cyber security plan template for small business protection is to understand your business’ risk. 

To identify your possible vulnerabilities, you need to know what threats are out there. Our research indicates that these are the most common cyber security threats for small businesses. 

Malware attacks

Malware is the biggest cyber threat for small businesses today. 

The term itself is broad and refers to all categories of malicious software meant to harm devices or networks. 

Three common types of malware attacks include:

• Ransomware. 

Let’s dive deeper into each one.

In short, a virus is a piece of computer code meant to harm your technological equipment. Computer viruses affect your devices in many ways, including:

• Corrupting or deleting files.
• Damaging computer programs.
• Slowing down device performance. 
• Causing excessive pop-up windows.

In your cyber security plan template for small business, there are several benefits to highlighting the signs when a device has become infected with a virus.

What’s more is that there are several ways that your devices can catch a virus, such as:

• File sharing.
• Downloading harmful software.
• Infected emails. 

Viruses used to be the only cyber threat that businesses worried about, but cyber security has evolved and now includes other attack strategies.

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware is malware where hackers access your data and hold it for ransom by encrypting it. You then pay them to decrypt your data and regain access. 

So, if your business experiences a ransomware attack, your products or services provided will likely come to a screeching halt.

A surprising statistic:

“Ransomware is the third most popular type of malware used in data breaches.” – Verizon , 2020.

Our findings show that this will do more than just affect your numbers. Depending on the information that the hacker gathers, a ransomware attack can be tragic for your small business. It could cost you everything to pay off the hacker. 

Unfortunately, even if you comply with the hacker, there’s a chance that they won’t keep up their end of the deal. They may ask for additional payments, or cut communications once they have what they want.

Spyware is a type of malware that collects information from your device without your knowledge. Based on our observations, it’s difficult to detect, and many people never know that they’ve been subject to a spyware attack!

With spyware, cyber criminals can not only oversee your business operations. Data privacy and data security become a pipe dream as well.

Since it’s invisible, once spyware has been downloaded to a device, there is little you can do to restore your network security.

One of the most common ways spyware hackers install spyware is through phishing emails. 

Phishing scams

Unlike the other attacks on this list, phishing isn’t software. Phishing is a technique used to gather sensitive information through deception. 

The act of convincing someone to disclose information to a hacker is called social engineering. 

The most common case of phishing involves sending emails with links that lead to a website infected with malware. These scams can affect consumers and businesses alike.

A common social engineering strategy is to trick recipients to reply to emails with personal information by pretending to be a credible source, such as a colleague. 

Our findings show that cyber criminals often claim to have management roles in the businesses they target. A similar strategy involves impersonating a company that has a strong reputation.

As per our expertise, it’s important to include strategies to prevent phishing attacks in your cyber security plan template, most of which surrounds employee education (more on this later).  

The state of your cybersecurity hinges on making a plan. Let’s jump into how to create a cyber security plan for small business.

How to create your business cyber security plan

Creating a security plan requires you to look at your current business processes to figure out your vulnerabilities. 

From there, you can put together a plan to eliminate those vulnerabilities and reduce your risk. 

You might think as a relatively unknown “small biz” that you’re safe against cyberattacks. In reality, it’s small business cybersecurity that cybercriminals target most. This is because a small organization tends to have much weaker cyber security than a larger enterprise.

It’s a good idea to use a cyber security plan template for small business through this process. Through our practical knowledge, templates for your business’ cybersecurity plan are useful tools as they eliminate internal confusion over protocols and best practices.

To guide you, here are 5 key steps to creating your plan. 

1. Identify your biggest threats

Of course, drawing from our experience, protecting your company from cyber threats requires more than just filling out a planner. 

Creating a cyber security plan is similar to setting your sales goals . For example, both involve taking every aspect of your business into account.

You can’t create a line of defense if you don’t know what you need defending from. 

This is why the first step in creating a cyber security plan for small business is to understand your business risk.

The most common threats for small businesses include:

• Ransomware.
• Weak passwords. 

Our research indicates that identifying your risks helps you find ways to prevent these risks from happening. This includes solutions, such as:

• Antivirus software.
• Newer devices with updated security features (i.e., fingerprint scanning).
• Password parameters. 

If you have an IT team, this is a job for them. If not, consult an IT professional to identify your exposure and create a plan.

2. Prioritize your assets

Cyber security asset assessment involves identifying your IT assets and potential security risks. Your assets include traditional devices as well as digital assets. 

Here are some examples of common business assets to consider:

• PCs and mobile devices.
• Networks and servers.
• Cloud-based data.

In reality, any part of your IT infrastructure is at risk of cyber security threats, so be sure to create a comprehensive list.

From there, decide which assets are the most important. That way you can determine the most vulnerable ones to begin creating your security plan. 

3. Set your goals

The goal of your security plan is to protect your small business. However, several smaller goals play into this larger objective.

In a perfect world, creating a plan to prevent cyber attacks, and including a network security device like a firewall, would be enough. However, solely relying on prevention is unrealistic. 

As much as you try to prevent cyber security attacks, there’s always a risk of cyber attackers getting through your defense. So, as per our expertise, your goals should also include optimal readiness to respond to threats. 

If you’ve already made the plans to handle unauthorized users in your system, then you’ll greatly reduce the amount of damage they can do.

Of course, malware detection is the first step once your cybersecurity is breached. So planning the ways to detect threats is as important as planning how to deal with them.

Better yet, our research indicates that you should have a goal for your recovery time to minimize your exposure and damage to your assets. 

4. Document your plan

Once you’ve determined your current cyber security risks and created a business plan to improve your response readiness, it’s time to document your plan. 

Based on our firsthand experience, documenting is easy if you use a cyber security plan template for small business, as you just have to fill in the sections in the template.

There are several reasons why documenting cybersecurity plans is important. 

For starters, you don’t want anything to slip through cracks when it comes to a cyber security plan for small business. It only takes one small slip-up for a hacker to access your information. 

Thoroughly documenting your plan minimizes the risk of overlooking an aspect of your business, and removes the possibility for any intrusion into it.

Sometimes, you’ll have conversations with your customers that are difficult . But nothing’s harder than explaining that your cyber security has been compromised. A well-documented plan softens the blow and reduces a breach’s impact.

What’s more, employee training plays a huge part in your cyber security strategy. So, document your plan in a way that’s easy to understand. 

5. Do a test run

Once you have the proper cyber security infrastructure in place that your employees are trained on, test your plan.

Don’t forget to test your employees’ ability to recognize threats by sending test phishing emails. You can also simulate a ransomware attack through encryption of your own files.

It’s important to note that cyber security is always evolving. Once you confirm that your new plan works, set up a schedule to conduct regular tests to ensure up to date strategies.

Now that you know how to create your plan, let’s explore what to include in your template. 

What to include in your cyber security plan template for small business

Making a cyber security strategy is no small task. There are two points to remember about your plan:

• It’s a document your team regularly references.
• The security of your business depends on it.

Organizations that acknowledge these points always have the most robust security strategy, making them the most cyber secure. To address these two factors, you want to ensure that you include as much detail in your plan as possible. 

Using a cyber security plan template for small business simplifies the process and ensures that your plan captures every aspect of your business. 

Since this plan will be included in the core employee resources of your organization, a template ensures that you’ve covered all your bases in a way that’s still easy to follow.

Here’s what to include in your template. 

Your objectives

To kick things off, your cyber security plan for small business protection should open with your goals. 

Your goals guide your plan, so clearly stating them at the start gives context to your proposed strategies. 

As a result, the reader sees the bigger picture and better understands the importance of cyber security strategies.

Common threats

To fully understand your cyber security strategies, you need to outline your business’ security threats.

Make sure that your plan describes each threat to your business. This means associating each common threat with an asset. 

For example, one common threat to small business security is password hacking, and one of the assets at risk is your company’s data. Knowing this, you can strengthen your employee passwords to prevent data breach.

Identifying threats specific to your business is a crucial step in protecting your staff and your customers from cyber attacks.

Security policies

Cyber security policies serve as the framework of your plan. 

Policies outline how you expect your team to protect your business assets. Some basic security practices include:

• Limiting who accesses information. 
• Restricting internet browsing on your network. 
• Implementing a plan of action for suspicious emails. 

There are also companies that offer products or services, like antivirus software to ward off security threats.

Your security policies are mainly preventative, so you should consider how to react to security breaches. 

Breach response plan

Prevention is the best tool to protect your business, but it shouldn’t be your only tool. If your business does become the victim of a cyber attack, you should have a plan of how you’ll react.

When unauthorized users infiltrate your business systems, panic sets in. It becomes difficult to think clearly and act accordingly. 

Without an established breach response plan, you’ll lack the tools  to quickly restore your business.

A breach response process allows you to identify an attack and shut it down as soon as possible. This reduces damage to your business data and ensures that you’re back up and running in no time. 

Your breach response plan should include clear steps and a timeline of how long you have to shut down an attack before your business is at risk. 

Employee education plan

You can have the tightest cyber security policies in place, but if your employees don’t know them, your business is still exposed. 

So, it’s important to implement a system that educates your employees. A cyber security plan for small business isn’t complete without employee training.

To be successful, your employees need to be up to speed on your business’ cyber risks and security policies. Design a cyber security training program to walk your employees through these.

A complete employee education plan results in your employees:

• Creating strong passwords.
• Recognizing phishing emails.
• Resisting other social engineering techniques. 
• Knowing what to do if they accidentally disclose information.

Highlight your training plan in your cyber security plan template for small business. 

For best results, conduct a cyber security training at least once a year and test employees’ knowledge monthly. 

Wrap up: Cyber security plan template for small business success

The truth is that if you don’t have a solid cyber security plan for small business, you risk losing your business completely. 

With this in mind, it’s important to prioritize cyber security policies and implement them into your business process. The applications of this plan will guarantee longevity for your business.

The key content of a complete plan includes:

• Clear goals. 
• Potential threats.
• Security policies.
• A breach response plan.
• Employee training. 

The health of your cyber security depends on these five factors for a number of reasons. Establishing each of these now means that you can quickly shut down unauthorized user or activities within your business down the road. 

The quality of your product or service means nothing if your cyber system is unsecure.

With the support of a template, your cybersecurity plan is clear, concise, and comprehensive. It allows you to draft and organize all the content that your plan requires.

Free cyber security plan template for small businesses

Protect your business from cyber attacks by drafting a robust cyber security plan.

If you don’t see the download form, download template here .

Brush up on other technology trends for your small business in this blog !

Cyber security plan template for small business FAQs

How do i implement a cyber security plan for small business.

To implement a cyber security plan for your small business, the most important step is educating your employees. Once your plan has been created, the hard part is done. 

Make your cyber security plan customary and accessible so that your employees know about your business’ strategies in the event of a cyber threat. 

If you’re unfortunate enough to experience a cyber threat, remind your staff of your plan– then follow each step closely.

How do I choose the right cyber security products for my small business?

To choose the right cyber security products for your small business, first identify all your company’s potential cyber threats. Once those are established, there are many security products to choose from.

There is not a one-size-fits all solution to cyber security. You can choose which products suit your needs, but it’s important to note that you can never be too secure.

Many cyber security companies offer free trials, so consider experimenting with different products to find the perfect fit for your business.

Where can I find a cyber security plan template for small business?

For a comprehensive cyber security plan template for small businesses plus more, simply:

• Follow this link .
• Fill out your business’ basic information.
• Click download.

Keep your data more secure with a free trial of Method:CRM.

Image credit: cottonbro via Pexels .

About The Author

Shana Cesaire

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10 Simple Tips to Write a Successful Business Plan

"The absolute biggest business plan mistake you can make is to not plan at all." So writes Noah Parsons in his helpful blog post 17 Key Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid in 2023 . But how does one pull together all of the necessary components of a cohesive plan? It can feel overwhelming.

Eric Butow, CEO of online marketing ROI improvement firm Butow Communications Group, has teamed up with Entrepreneur Media to update the second edition of our best-selling book Write Your Business Plan to provide you with a simple, step-by-step process for creating a successful business plan. In the following excerpt, he gives ten tips to gather all of the critical information you will need to succeed.

1. Know your competition.

You need to name them and point out what makes you different from (and better than) each of them. But do not disparage your competition.

2. Know your audience.

You may need several versions of your business plan. For example, you may need one for bankers or venture capitalists, one for individual investors, and one for companies that may want to do a joint venture with you rather than fund you.

3. Have proof to back up every claim you make.

If you expect to be the leader in your field in six months, you have to say why you think that is. If you say your product will take the market by storm, you have to support this statement with facts. If you say your management team is fully qualified to make the business a success, be sure staff resumes demonstrate their experience.

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4. Be conservative in all financial estimates and projections.

If you feel certain you'll capture 50 percent of the market in the first year, you can say why you think so and hint at what those numbers may be. But make your financial projections more conservative. For example, a 10 percent market share is much more credible.

5. Be realistic with time and resources available.

If you're working with a big company before you buy a business, you may think things will happen faster than they will once you have to buy the supplies, write the checks, and answer the phones yourself. Being overly optimistic with time and resources is a common error entrepreneurs make. Being realistic is important because it lends credibility to your presentation. Always assume things will take 20 percent longer than you anticipated. Therefore, twenty weeks is now twenty-four weeks.

6. Be logical.

Think like a banker and write what they would want to see.

7. Have a strong management team.

Make sure it has good credentials and expertise. Your team members don't have to have worked in the field. However, you need to draw parallels between what they've done and the skills needed to make your venture succeed. Don't have all the skills you need? Consider adding an advisory board of people skilled in your field and include their resumes.

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8. Document why your idea will work.

Have others done something similar that was successful? Have you made a prototype? Include all the variables that can have an impact on the result or outcome of your idea. Show why some of the variables don't apply to your situation or explain how you intend to overcome them or make them better.

9. Describe your facilities and location for performing the work.

That includes equipment you use to create your products and/or services. If you'll need to expand, discuss when, where, and why.

10. Discuss payout options for the investors.

Some investors want a hands-on role. Some want to put associates on your board of directors. Some don't want to be involved in day-to-day activities at all. All investors want to know when they can get their money back and at what rate of return. Most want out within three to five years. Provide a brief description of options for investors, or at least mention that you're ready to discuss options with any serious prospect.

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Money blog: Greggs to open new stores in towns across UK - is yours one?

UK bank closures hit a milestone today, marking a "seismic shift" in the industry. Is more expensive steak really better for you? Read about this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Friday 17 May 2024 08:52, UK

• 'Seismic shift' as number of bank branch closures passes 6,000
• New Greggs stores to open in these locations
• Drivers hit by 'unfairly high margins' on fuel

Essential reads

• Is more expensive steak better for you?
• Basically...  What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Cheap Eats:  Michelin-star chef reveals his top steals in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
• Money Problem: My workplace wants to pay us by the minute - what can I do?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Greggs will open eight stores in the next few weeks, as the company continues its expansion plans 

The bakery said it would open a total of 180 new branches before the end of this year. 

We were told earlier this year that the famous sausage roll-seller would open new stores in London, Cambridge and Sale, but Greggs has now revealed where its next eight new branches will be. 

Here are the locations of the eight new sights, revealed by the bakery to The Sun:

• Saffron Walden, Market Place, England
• Bangor, Carnarfon Road, Wales
• Birmingham Prime Park, England
• Brierley Hill, Merryhill, England
• Consett Delves Lane Drive Thru, County Durham, England
• Edinburgh, 60-61 Seafield Road, Scotland
• Glasgow, Argyle St, Scotland
• Porth, U3C Geilligron IE, Wales

Drivers are suffering from "unfairly high margins" on fuel sales, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has been warned.

In a letter to the cabinet minister, the RAC said the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) must be given the power to take "meaningful action" against companies charging too much for petrol and diesel.

The average retailer margin - the difference between the amount they pay for fuel and the pump price - has been above 18p per litre for diesel since 7 May and is nearly 12p per litre for petrol, RAC head of policy Simon Williams wrote.

The long-term average for both fuels is 8p.

The RAC believes if retailers charged "fairer" margins, the average price of a litre of petrol and diesel would be around 145p, down from the current prices of 150p per litre for petrol and 157p per litre for diesel.

Mr Williams said the current margins being charged by larger retailers in particular were "extremely unfair on drivers struggling to get by in the cost of living crisis". 

"It's very concerning to see fuel margins at such high levels, particularly as this is happening under the close eye of the CMA and while retailers are voluntarily sharing their forecourt prices with the intention of increasing competition," he said.

The RAC spokesman added that the situation would only be improved in the long-term if the CMA took "meaningful action against retailers whose margins are deemed not to be mirroring significant reductions in the cost of wholesale fuel".

It can be hard to balance the demands of eating well without spending a lot.

In this series, we try to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value - and have enlisted the help of  Sunna Van Kampen , founder of Tonic Health, who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices.

In this series we don't try to find the outright healthiest option, but help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This time we're looking at meat. 

"When it comes to which type of meat you buy, there's a common misconception the more expensive the cut the healthier it is," Sunna says.

"But fatty meat stores more nutrients than their lean counterparts - vitamins like A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and stored in animal fat - so, a fillet steak may contain less nutrients than its fatty cousin," he adds. 

The science

We typically turn towards leaner cuts of meat due to the common belief that saturated fat from animals is something to be avoided. 

"Yet, the latest science suggests that saturated fat and cholesterol may not be as harmful as researchers once thought they were," Sunna says.

He points to a  2020 review  in the National Library of Medicine that looked at several studies on saturated fat and heart disease - and found that the association between the two appeared to be weak.

That being said, a large amount of fat in your diet is in no way advisable - but don't be afraid to introduce fattier cuts. 

Sunna swears by mincemeat - preferring it to steak if choosing the fattier kind. 

Most supermarkets sell somewhere between 5-20% versions - and Sunna urges shoppers to put the higher percentages in their baskets. 

"Mince beef with higher fat content isn’t just about the added fat-soluble vitamins; it's also about what comes with it," he says.

"The added tendons, ligaments and connective tissue in mince beef provides collagen."

Collagen is a protein - full of amino acids that supports the structure of your skin, hair, and nails. 

It also plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of your joints and connective tissues. 

"By choosing mince beef with 20% fat, you're getting a broader nutritional profile, including those collagen benefits," he says. 

Using prices from major supermarkets, Sunna compares his the money and the health for major beef products... 

• Fillet steak: Around £35/kg, it's the most expensive cut and doesn't provide as many health upsides as other, cheaper options
• Ribeye steak : Around £24/kg, with added fat that offers more fat-soluble vitamins.
• Rump steak: Around £15/kg, it’s one of the most economical ways to steak and that nice rind of fat will give you the added nutrition.
• Steak mince beef 5% fat: Around £7/ kg, it's premium mince but at over half the price of steak, making a great affordable option, but the lower fat content is only really good for reducing the calories.
• Mince beef 20% fat: Priced at about £5/kg, it's one of the most affordable options that gives you the most health upside - with all the added fat-soluble vitamins, omega 3s and collagen. 

"Swapping a fillet steak a week to 20% mince could save you £182.52 a year and you'd be increasing your nutrition intake considerably," Sunna says.

"Not only does mince beef save you money, but it also provides a versatile base for countless dishes - burgers, meatballs, bolognese, tacos -the possibilities are endless."

Organics and grass-feds

"Whilst all unprocessed meat is healthy, there are benefits to the quality of your meat," Sunna continues. 

"Typically, a local grass-fed cut of meat has higher omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for heart and brain health - up to 6x more  in fact than feed-lot cattle," he adds. 

These can often be far more expensive, however. 

"Choosing between fillet steak and mince beef doesn't have to be a battle of indulgence versus health - both have their unique nutritional benefits, but when it comes to a cost-effective, nutritious option, mince beef with 20% fat takes the win," he says.

The nutritionist's view, from Dr Claire Shortt, lead scientist at  FoodMarble ...

While it's fine to consider cheaper cuts of beef over say filet mignon, it's best to moderate red meat intake given potential links to certain cancers. 

Processed meats are more problematic again, especially from a bowel or stomach cancer perspective. In fact, the World Health Organisation classifies them as a Class I carcinogen (i.e. "known to cause cancer"). 

Read more from this series... 

The number of UK bank branches that have closed forever passes 6,000 today, according to the consumer group Which?

Which? said eight Barclays branches were shutting their doors today, taking the total by the end of the day to 6,005.

This equates to more 60% of the bank branch network since Which? began tracking closures in 2015.

The eight Barclays closures relate to branches in Alperton in Wembley, Andover in Hampshire, Bangor in County Down, Bracknell in Berkshire, Hornchurch in Essex, Inverness in the Highlands in Scotland, Liverpool and Streatham in London.

Barclays has closed 1,216 branches, according to Which?

NatWest Group, which comprises NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,360 branches and Lloyds Banking Group, made up of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has shut 1,146 sites, the consumer group said.

Which? said 200 closures by various banks were already scheduled for the rest of 2024.

Currently, 24 more bank branch closures have been scheduled for 2025, although more are expected to be announced later this year and next, it added.

While millions of consumers have made the switch to banking digitally, there remains a significant number of people who are not yet ready or willing to make that jump, underscoring the need for accessible alternatives, Which? said.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said the closures showed a "seismic shift" had taken place in terms of our banking habits and the character of the British high street.

"While some may hardly notice the closure of their local branch as they seamlessly switch to online banking, for others reliant on face-to-face services, the impact can be disastrous," he said.

Landlords selling properties "represent the single biggest threat to renters", according to the UK's landlord association.

Government data shows 5,790 households were threatened with homelessness between October to December last year due to receiving a notice to end an assured shorthold tenancy (this ends a person's tenancy).

And the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has said 45% have been left needing help because their landlord planned to sell the property in the second half of 2023.

Separately, data from Rightmove found that 50,000 rental properties were needed to bring the supply of rental homes back to pre-pandemic levels.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said the only answer was to "ensure responsible landlords have the confidence to stay in the market and sustain tenancies".

He said it was "vital" the Renters Reform Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords, "worked for landlords as well as tenants".

"Landlords selling up is the single biggest challenge renters face," Mr Beadle said.

Around 16% of high net worth shoppers have cut spending on luxury goods, research shows - with Burberry among the companies seemingly taking a hit.

Data from wealth management firm Saltus , which surveyed 2,000 Britons who had assets of more than £250,000, found 16.29% of respondents had cut down on their personal spending in response to the current high interest rate environment and/or the impact of the rising cost of living.

And 15.78%, said they had cut down on luxury items and designer clothes. 

Meanwhile, just 9.42% of respondents said the current environment had not impacted their lifestyle.

The figures follow data this week from designer store Burberry - which reported a 34% drop in annual operating profit.

Mike Stimpson, partner at Saltus, said high net worth individuals were having to "prioritise spending on essential costs including mortgages and supporting their families". 

"While this reduction is not limited entirely to personal spending on luxury items, it is inevitable that brands like Burberry feel the impact, although different businesses will clearly respond differently to these pressures," he said.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is hiring 2,500 "external agents" to crackdown on "benefit cheats".

The extra staff will check millions of Universal Credit claims for accuracy as part of the government's new fraud plan.

Combined with the DWP's own internal agents tackling fraud, this will take the headcount to nearly 6,000 people.

In addition to this, the DWP is introducing a new civil penalty to punish fraudsters, and investing £70m into advanced data analytics to catch those who "exploit the natural compassion and generosity of the British people".

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, said: "We are scaling up the fight against those stealing from the taxpayer, building on our success in stopping £18bn going into the wrong hands in 2022-23.

"With new legal powers, better data and thousands of additional staff, our comprehensive plan ensures we have the necessary tools to tackle the scourge of benefit fraud."

With the new 15 hours a week free childcare funding coming into effect this week for children aged between 9-23 months, research shows grandparents still play a key role in helping with costs.

In April, all two-year-olds from eligible working families became entitled to 15 hours free childcare each week. 

And as of this week, eligible working parents of children aged between 9-23 months are also able to apply to claim the same from September.

The government plans to increase this to 30 hours a week from September 2025.

However, grandparents still play a key role and therefore are still likely to be called upon for help from parents, according to data from the finance firm SunLife .

Data shows that half of the UK's 14 million grandparents provide childcare for their grandchildren during the working week and this rises to 55% of those with grandchildren under the age of one.

On average, the UK's grandparents spend between 22-24 hours a week providing free childcare for grandchildren under three-years-old.

So how much are grandparents saving their families and what if they were paid?

Research suggests grandparents are saving parents around £250 a week in childcare costs on average - this means that collectively, grandparents are saving their families £96bn in equivalent childcare costs every year. 

SunLife's grandparent salary calculator, which uses the average pay for the many roles grandparents are taking to calculate what their "grandparent salary" would be, has also found that if grandparents were paid for the 22 hours a week they would receive an annual salary of £13,188.

Victoria Heath, chief marketing officer at SunLife, said it was   "no wonder" one in five grandparents felt their children would struggle financially without their help.

She said research showed that 13% of grandparents felt they were relied on too much for childcare, and 14% loved doing it but felt it was too much at their age.

"Having said that, most (59%) grandparents who do provide childcare say they love helping out, so it is likely they will still play a key role, because whether they are still 'needed' or not, they are certainly still wanted, and most are more than happy to do it," Ms Heath added.

How can you apply for the 15 hours free childcare?

To apply for the funding you'll need the following: 

• National Insurance number;
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you're self-employed;
• the UK birth certificate reference number of any children you're applying for;
• the date you started or are due to start work.

Then, you'll need to go onto the gov.uk website and start an application.

It usually takes 20 minutes to apply and once your application has been approved, you'll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider.

Mortgage possession actions have continued to rise and are currently above the previous year's levels, according to data from the Ministry of Justice .

The latest data shows mortgage claims, orders, warrants and repossessions have continued their gradual upward trend and claims are at their highest since 2019.

When compared to the same quarter in 2023, mortgage possession claims increased from 4,035 to 5,182 - this is a rise of 28%.

Meanwhile, mortgage orders increased from 2,532 to 3,019, warrants from 2,636 to 2,881 and repossessions by county court bailiffs from 729 to 759.

Landlord possession claims also increased from 23,389 to 24,874 when compared to the same quarter last year.

Craig Fish, director at Lodestone mortgages and protection, told Newspage things "need to change and quickly before it's too late".

"Though this data makes hard reading and is extremely worrying, it's not unexpected due to the significantly higher interest rate environment in which borrowers now find themselves," he said.

And Ben Perks, managing director at Orchard Financial Advisers, said he was "concerned these figures will continue to rise". 

He told Newspage: "The Bank of England seems totally oblivious to the plight of the average mortgage borrower, but hopefully this data will kick their hesitancy to drop the base rate firmly into touch. The time to act is now."

Tesco has recalled its sandwich pickle over fears it may contain glass.

The supermarket has pulled its 295g jars of Tesco Sandwich Pickle with the batch code 3254 and best before date of 11 September 2025 due to the concerns of glass traces.

The Food Standards Agency has said on its website: "This product may contain pieces of glass which makes it unsafe to eat."

Last year, the supermarket chain had to recall pastry products, including sausage rolls and steak and ale pies, over fears they contained pieces of metal and plastic.

A Tesco spokesperson told Sky News: "We've been made aware that a specific date/batch code of Tesco Sandwich Pickle may contain small pieces of glass. Therefore, this product could pose a safety risk if consumed.

"Please do not consume this product and instead return any affected product to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.

"Tesco apologises to our customers for any inconvenience caused."

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