Operating in United States? Speak with a security consultant.
The United States has the world’s largest private security industry by revenue. Executive protection is embedded in corporate culture at senior levels, and demand has accelerated measurably since the December 2024 targeted killing of a named insurance sector CEO in a public space in Manhattan. Corporate board attention to C-suite physical security is at a measurable high not seen for over a decade.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains the National Terrorism Advisory System. Intelligence community assessments consistently flag threats from domestic extremist networks and Iran-linked actors targeting US soil. The FBI threat bulletin for 2024-2025 explicitly addresses both categories.
State-level licensing complexity
The absence of a federal framework means an operator licensed in New York has no automatic right to operate in Texas. Professional multi-city deployments require operators licensed in each relevant state or a coordinated network. This is standard practice in the US industry.
In New York State, security guards are registered by the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, under General Business Law article 7-A. An armed guard needs a special armed guard registration card and a separate pistol licence under Penal Law section 400.00; in New York City, handgun licences are issued by the NYPD License Division.
The post-December 2024 shift
Corporate boards reassessed executive protection budgets in early 2025 with unusual urgency. The public nature of the Manhattan killing, combined with the attacker’s days-long evasion of law enforcement, focused attention on the gap between nominal security programmes and genuine protective capability.
This reassessment is structural rather than temporary. Requests for written threat assessments from US corporate clients increased substantially through 2025. Demand for full-time residential and travel CP for C-suite principals continues to rise.
New York operational picture
Elevated crime in New York is concentrated in specific areas including parts of Midtown South, Harlem, East New York, and the South Bronx. The commercial and hotel districts where corporate visitors operate carry significantly lower day-to-day risk. Key planning points include airport-to-hotel corridor management, pre-arrival venue assessment, and anti-surveillance protocols for high-profile principals.
Source: NYPD CompStat 2024. DHS NTAS Advisory Bulletin 2025. US State Department Travel Advisory: United States.
Our vetted operators provide close protection and executive protection and security driver services across United States. For a detailed local assessment, see our New York city briefing.
Cities We Cover
New York
High riskThe US primary financial and media capital. Elevated crime in specific neighbourhoods, separate state and NYPD licensing for armed CP, and the world's highest concentration of UHNWI close protection demand.
View city guide →Security Regulations
Firearms
Firearms for private security are regulated by each state, and in some places also by the city. For example, New York requires a special armed guard registration card and a separate pistol licence, Texas requires a security officer commission, and California requires a BSIS firearms permit.
Licensing
There is no federal licence for private security in the United States. Each state licenses security companies and guards under its own law: for example the New York Department of State under General Business Law article 7-A, the Texas Department of Public Safety under Occupations Code chapter 1702, California's Bureau of Security and Investigative Services under Business and Professions Code chapter 11.5, and Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes. Some cities, such as Denver, license guards themselves. A licence in one state does not cover another.
Foreign Operators
State security laws set out no separate route for a foreign security company. Some states limit armed licences to citizens or permanent residents: Florida's Class G licence and California's firearms permit both require permanent legal resident status from a non-citizen. Use a provider licensed in the state where the work takes place, and take US immigration and local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.
Sources, checked : New York General Business Law article 7-A, Security Guard Act (NY Senate); New York General Business Law section 89-n, training requirements (NY Senate); Texas DPS, private security laws and regulations; Texas Occupations Code section 1702.161, text (Public.Law); BSIS, Private Patrol Operator fact sheet; Florida Statutes section 493.6106, licence requirements; Florida Statutes section 493.6301, classes of licences; City and County of Denver, security services licences.