Gavin De Becker and Associates

What Gavin De Becker and Associates does

Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) is a privately-held, founder-owned protective security and threat assessment firm founded in 1987 (per firmographic data) with its primary operating entity copyrighted from 1997. The company delivers close protection, residential and travel security, public-figure protection, threat assessment and case management, background investigations, technical security design, and training/advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, public figures and families, corporate executives, government agencies, and educational institutions. GDBA's core proprietary technology is the MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems — a family of computer-assisted decision-support tools (MAPP, MAJ, DV-MOSAIC, MAT-W, MAST) used by Top 25 universities, State Police agencies protecting 14 Governors, U.S. Supreme Court Police, and corporate customers — supplemented by the Just 2 Seconds anti-assassination methodology, a 400-page compendium of attacks and near attacks used by protectors in 37 countries, and the CARE associate-wellness program.

The firm monetizes through multiple professional-services revenue streams: protective security engagements (subscription/recurring close protection), threat assessment and investigations (project-based), training academies (Academy for Protectors, Advanced Threat Assessment Academy), MOSAIC licensing to institutions, and ancillary income from published books including the 19-language bestseller "The Gift of Fear." Customers are acquired via high-touch, relationship-driven enterprise sales leveraging Gavin de Becker's public authority, government-agency relationships, and elite referrals; pricing is quote-based and undisclosed publicly, though employment compensation data suggests protector billing scales with high-end security services market rates. The company employs 501–1,000 people, is more than 60% military veteran, operates a wholly-owned UK subsidiary (GDBA LTD), and co-founded The Private Suite at LAX as a distinct premium-aviation service channel.

Name

Gavin De Becker and Associates

Legal name

Gavin de Becker & Associates

Website

https://gavindebecker.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Gavin de Becker and Associates is a privately-held protective security firm providing close protection, threat assessment, investigations, and training for high-profile individuals, families, corporations, and government agencies, anchored by proprietary MOSAIC and Just 2 Seconds methodologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Protective Security and Threat Assessment Services

NAICS

Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Investigation and Security Services (5616)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Security & Close Protection (VIP) (HSACAMAF)

Keywords

• Executive protection services
• Threat assessment systems
• Protective security services
• Private investigation services
• Security training academies

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Protective Security Services: Close protection for public figures, at-risk individuals, families, and corporate executives. Includes residential security, travel protection, and public appearance coverage. Provided through highly trained, screened protectors.
2. Threat Assessment & Management: Assessment and management of threats, inappropriate pursuit, and harassment cases. Includes investigation of stalkers, workplace violence situations, and domestic violence cases using MOSAIC systems.
3. Training & Advisory Services: Academy for Protectors, Advanced Public Figure Protection, Advanced Threat Assessment Academy, and customized training programs. Advisory services from Strategic Advisory Group of security experts from FBI, Secret Service, US Marshals Service, and military.
4. Background Investigations: Pre-employment background investigations and due diligence investigations for corporate clients conducted in compliance with FCRA and applicable laws.
5. Security Design & Technology: Technical security assessments and system design for residences, corporations, private aircraft, and super yachts.
6. MOSAIC Licensing: Licensing of MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems to government agencies, universities, and organizations for their own threat assessment programs.
7. Published Books & Educational Materials: Sale of books including 'The Gift of Fear' (bestseller published in 19 languages), 'Just 2 Seconds', 'Protecting the Gift', and 'Fear Less'. Just 2 Seconds compendium available by request.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gavin De Becker and Associates provides close protection, threat assessment and management, global investigations, security design, and training services for public figures, at-risk individuals, families, corporate executives, and government agencies. Its core revenue driver is Protective Security Services, complemented by the proprietary MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems (licensed to government and academic institutions) and the firm's training academies. The firm also operates The Private Suite at LAX and sells published books including "The Gift of Fear" and "Just 2 Seconds."

Product overview

Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) offers a comprehensive suite of protective security and threat assessment services. The core offering centers on close protection for public figures, at-risk individuals, and families through its Protective Security Services division. The company's proprietary MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems provide computer-assisted threat assessment methodologies used across multiple sectors including government agencies, universities, and corporations. GDBA operates the Advanced Threat Assessment Academy and Academy For Protectors as training divisions offering professional development in threat assessment, executive protection, and active shooter prevention. The company also provides Global Investigations services, Advisory Services including GAPS Analysis, and operates The Private Suite at LAX. Public education is delivered through published works including The Gift of Fear, Just 2 Seconds, Protecting the Gift, and Fear Less. The company serves as a National Security Service-Provider with clients including various government agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems: Computer-assisted error avoidance method for professionals conducting comprehensive threat assessments. Includes MAPP (Public Figure Pursuit), MAJ (Judges), DV-MOSAIC (Domestic Violence), MAT-W (Workplace), MAST (Students).
• The Gift of Fear
• Just 2 Seconds
• Protecting the Gift
• Academy For Protectors
• Advanced Threat Assessment Academy
• Essential Protection Skills Academy
• The Private Suite

Quantifiable outcome

• MOSAIC systems used by State Police agencies protecting 14 Governors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pinkerton: Corporate security and investigations firm offering background screening, due diligence, executive protection, and security consulting. Direct competitor in background investigations and corporate risk services that GDBA provides.
• International SOS: Global medical and security risk services company serving multinational organizations and traveling executives. Comparable in travel risk advisory, crisis response, and security support for globally mobile corporate clients.
• Crisis24 (a GardaWorld company): Integrated risk management and executive protection firm offering security services, travel risk management, and intelligence-led protection for corporations and HNW individuals. Comparable service mix and global footprint to GDBA.
• AS Solution: Provider of executive protection and secure transportation services for HNW individuals, families, and corporate executives. Closely mirrors GDBA's core residential and travel close-protection business for ultra-high-net-worth clientele.
• Kroll: Global risk consultancy offering investigations, security consulting, and threat assessment services to corporations and high-profile clients. Closely comparable to GDBA in combining protective intelligence, due diligence, and corporate security advisory.
• Hillard Heintze: Security and investigations firm providing executive protection, threat assessment, and corporate security advisory to Fortune 500 and high-profile clients. Directly comparable in bespoke protection and threat-management engagements.
• Constellis: Provider of security, risk management, and protective services drawing heavily on former U.S. government and military personnel. Comparable in talent profile, government contracting, and high-risk protection services to GDBA.
• Control Risks: Specialist risk consultancy delivering security consulting, crisis response, protective services, and political risk advisory to multinational clients. Overlaps directly with GDBA's threat assessment, executive protection, and advisory offerings.

Emerging players

• S-RM: Global intelligence and cyber security consultancy providing corporate intelligence, crisis response, and security advisory. Comparable in corporate intelligence-driven risk advisory but with less emphasis on physical close protection.

Broad incumbents

• Allied Universal: Largest U.S. security services company offering manned guarding, security systems, and risk consulting at massive scale. A broader incumbent whose executive protection and consulting lines overlap with GDBA's higher-end offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gdbaprotects
• Xx.com/GDBAProtects
• Facebookfacebook.com/GDBAProtects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gavin De Becker and Associates