Planning travel to Cairo? Speak with a security consultant.
Cairo is Egypt’s capital and a significant commercial centre for business across North Africa and the wider Arab world. For most corporate visitors, it presents a manageable security environment. The threat profile is more legal than physical for day-to-day operations. Two elements require specific attention: a genuine terrorism threat that Moroccan authorities work hard to contain, and a strict legal framework that catches foreign visitors who are not properly briefed.
The security landscape
The FCDO advises that terrorist attacks are likely in Egypt. The primary group, IS-SP, concentrates its operations in the North Sinai, which carries an FCDO against all travel advisory. Cairo itself has a significant security presence at tourist sites and major infrastructure.
The targeted shootings in Alexandria are a different matter. In 2023, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were shot and killed. In 2024, an Israeli-Canadian national was killed in a further shooting. Both incidents were documented by the FCDO. They indicate that individuals with Israeli connections or Israeli-linked itineraries face a specific threat that extends to tourist centres across Egypt, not just conflict zones.
The sexual assault documentation at Red Sea resorts is a separate concern. The British Embassy in Cairo has recorded multiple cases involving hotel staff and excursion guides. In documented incidents, hotel staff discouraged victims from reporting. This requires active security planning for any delegation that includes female members, regardless of seniority.
The legal environment carries risks that are not immediately apparent to first-time visitors. Photography restrictions are broad and strictly enforced. The Suez Canal, military installations, and government buildings are off-limits for photography, including from a moving vehicle. Drug laws carry the death penalty or life imprisonment. Social media monitoring of foreign nationals is documented. A communications briefing is as important as a physical security briefing for any Cairo visit.
Operating in Cairo
Security drivers are the baseline requirement for any corporate itinerary in Cairo. The road environment is genuinely hazardous: aggressive driving, unmarked hazards, and inconsistent traffic enforcement make accidents a routine risk for visitors unfamiliar with local conditions. A security driver monitors routes, avoids predictable patterns, and provides the first layer of situational awareness.
The Tourist Police (126) is a dedicated resource for foreign visitors, operating separately from the regular police (122). In any incident involving a foreign national, the Tourist Police is generally the more productive first contact.
The regulatory framework
Private security in Egypt is regulated by the Ministry of Interior. All operators require a valid licence. Guards of licensed companies may be licensed to hold weapons under Law No. 394 of 1954, but commercial close protection normally runs unarmed. The standard operating model for Cairo is unarmed close protection with Egyptian Police coordination where required.
Law No. 86 of 2015 licenses only companies wholly owned by Egyptians, with Egyptian guards. The practical approach is to use Egyptian-licensed operators through our partner network.
Our operations in Cairo
We deploy close protection officers, security drivers, and residential security teams in Cairo and across Egypt. For UHNWI and corporate clients, we conduct advance reconnaissance for all meeting and accommodation locations. All operators go through our internal vetting process in addition to Egyptian regulatory requirements.
All enquiries are treated with maximum discretion. Client details are not retained on any public-facing system.
Sources: FCDO Travel Advice for Egypt (April 2026). US State Department Travel Advisory for Egypt, Level 2 (April 2026). British Embassy Cairo public advisories. FCDO incident reports: Alexandria shooting 2023, Alexandria shooting 2024. For comparable operating environments in our network, see our Tel Aviv city briefing and Istanbul city briefing.
What are the main security threats in Cairo?
Terrorism
The FCDO advises that terrorists are likely to carry out attacks in Egypt. The primary group is Islamic State Sinai Province (IS-SP), concentrated in North Sinai. Cairo has heightened security at tourist sites and major infrastructure. Attacks on Coptic churches and security forces have occurred in the city. Extra measures are in place at key locations.
Targeted Shootings
In 2024, an Israeli-Canadian national was killed in a shooting in Alexandria, an incident documented by the FCDO. In 2023, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were shot and killed in Alexandria. These incidents reflect targeted violence against foreign nationals and Israeli-connected individuals at tourist locations. The risk is not confined to the Sinai.
Sexual Assault at Resorts
The British Embassy in Cairo has documented multiple cases of sexual assault at Red Sea resort hotels involving hotel staff and excursion guides. In documented cases, hotel staff reportedly discouraged victims from reporting incidents. Female travellers face a documented risk at resort locations that requires specific operational planning.
State Surveillance and Detention Risk
Egypt's security services maintain extensive surveillance. Social media posts critical of the government carry a documented risk of detention for foreign nationals. Photography near military installations, government buildings, or the Suez Canal is illegal, including from a mobile phone. Business visitors with government-adjacent activities require careful communications protocols.
Road Safety
Cairo road conditions are among the most hazardous in the region. Aggressive driving, poorly marked hazards, and minimal traffic law enforcement make road accidents a significant cause of injury for foreign visitors. A vetted security driver with Cairo route knowledge is the baseline requirement for any serious itinerary.
Vetted operators with direct experience in Cairo
What security services are available in Cairo?
Close Protection
Locally licensed close protection officers for corporate visitors, government delegations, and HNW principals in Cairo. All operators are vetted through our internal process in addition to Egyptian licensing requirements.
Executive Protection
Multi-operator security details for C-suite executives conducting business or government engagement in Cairo. Includes advance work, venue assessment, and transport security.
Security Drivers
Trained drivers with Cairo route knowledge and current awareness of high-risk areas. Private vehicle is the only appropriate transport option for business principals.
Event Security
Corporate event protection and venue assessment for conferences, business events, and private functions in Cairo and wider Egypt.
Residential Security
Property security for expatriate accommodation and corporate residences. Guard force management and residential vulnerability assessments.
What are the rules for private security in Cairo?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Cairo.
Firearms Policy
Under Article 13 of Law No. 86 of 2015, guards of a licensed company may be licensed to hold weapons and ammunition under the Weapons and Ammunition Law No. 394 of 1954. The weapons belong to the company, not to the guard. Ask to see the weapons licences before any armed assignment. Most commercial close protection in Egypt runs unarmed.
Licensing
Companies that guard facilities and transport money in Egypt are licensed under Law No. 86 of 2015. The Minister of Interior, or a delegate, is the only authority that issues and revokes these licences. Operating without a licence carries up to 1 year in prison and a fine.
Foreign Operators
Law No. 86 of 2015 licenses only a joint stock company wholly owned by Egyptians. Its founders, board members and guards must be Egyptian nationals. A foreign security company cannot hold the licence, so use an Egyptian-licensed company and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.
Sources, checked : Ahram Online, Sisi issues law authorising Egypt ministries of defence, interior to found security firms (13 July 2015); Law No. 86 of 2015 on companies guarding facilities and transporting money (text, lawyeregypt.net).
Which areas of Cairo carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Zamalek island: diplomatic and residential area, lower crime profile, international hotel presence
- New Cairo (east): business district and residential compounds, relatively controlled environment
- Garden City: diplomatic quarter with established security infrastructure
- Maadi: expatriate residential area with active private security presence
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Cairo tourist sites: high-footfall environment favoured by touts and opportunistic criminals, though security presence is visible
- Central Cairo after dark: reduced police visibility and elevated petty crime risk
- All Red Sea resort locations: specific documented risk from hotel and excursion staff
- North Sinai: FCDO advises against all travel. IS-SP active
Deploying to Cairo? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in Cairo?
Police
122
Tourist Police
126
Ambulance
123
Fire
125
UK Embassy Cairo
+20-2-2791-6000
As-Salam International Hospital, Maadi (24h hotline)
19885
Anglo American Hospital, Zamalek
+20 2 2735 6162
What travel advisories apply to Cairo?
- Photography near military sites, government buildings, bridges, or the Suez Canal is illegal under Egyptian law. This includes mobile phone photography. Any image taken near sensitive infrastructure can result in immediate arrest. Brief all members of a visiting party before arrival.
- Social media posts criticising the Egyptian government carry a documented risk of detention for foreign nationals. Communications protocols must address social media activity for all members of the visiting party, not just the principal.
- Drug offences in Egypt can carry the death penalty or life imprisonment. There is no tolerance and no mitigation for any quantity of any controlled substance.
- Alcohol is available only at licensed venues. Drone operation requires Ministry of Defence permission. Operating a drone without authorisation carries a sentence of up to seven years. Do not bring drones into Egypt without prior authorisation.
- The British Embassy in Cairo has documented multiple cases of sexual assault at Red Sea resort hotels involving staff. Female travellers visiting resort locations require specific security arrangements beyond standard corporate travel precautions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cairo safe for business travel?
What laws do I need to know before visiting Egypt?
Do I need close protection in Cairo?
What is the Tourist Police and when should I contact them?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.