MSA Security
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MSA Security does
MSA Security is a New York-based specialized security services provider founded in 1987, focused on high-consequence threat protection for enterprise organizations whose security requirements exceed conventional security programs. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allied Universal following its 2021 acquisition, and now serves as the core of Allied Universal's Enhanced Protection Services division. MSA's primary service lines include K9 detection teams (1,000+ US teams and 3,000+ globally trained at 11 ATF-licensed sites), the patented SmartTech CBRNE screening solution (DHS SAFETY Act Designated, reviewed by FBI-trained bomb technicians handling 250,000+ images annually), executive protection, active law enforcement deployment, disaster and emergency response, specialized training, risk and vulnerability consulting, intelligence services, and investigations. The company serves enterprise customers across commercial real estate, financial institutions, sports venues, critical infrastructure operators, and government entities.
The underlying technology stack combines certified canine teams (NAPWDA-certified for explosives, firearms, narcotics, and dangerous goods detection) with a patented mailroom and loading dock screening platform and an Emergency Operations Center staffed by the largest private-sector bench of bomb technicians. MSA's go-to-market is a direct enterprise field sales model with quote-based, custom-program pricing — no public pricing is disclosed. Revenue mechanics are professional services-driven, with contracts built around specialized personnel deployment, certified canine team placement, and recurring screening engagements. Marketing is conducted primarily through Allied Universal's integrated platform, including the annual World Security Report (based on 2,352 CSO interviews) and a centralized resources hub, with bottom-of-funnel conversion driven by specialized enterprise sales engagement and consultation.
The business is wholly owned by Allied Universal, one of the world's largest security organizations, which acquired MSA in 2021 to establish dominant position in non-governmental canine detection. MSA Security does not publicly disclose revenue, funding post-acquisition, or detailed ownership/financial terms. The 2021 acquisition by Allied Universal represents the most significant structural event in the company's recent history; all operational and strategic decisions are now made within the parent's Enhanced Protection Services portfolio.
MSA Security firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MSA Security
- Legal name
- MSA Security
- Website
- https://msasecurity.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MSA Security industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialized Security Services
- NAICS
- Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K-9 Security Services (BPABAMAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Explosives & Narcotics Detection K9 Services (BPAKAKAA), Handler Training, Certification & K9 Unit Compliance Services (BPAKAKAK), Aviation K9 Explosive Detection Services (BPAKAMAL), K9 Handler & Working Dog Security Training (BPAKAOAK)
Keywords
Where MSA Security is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
MSA Security business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Security Services Revenue: Specialized security services including K9 detection, executive protection, CBRNE screening, and disaster response delivered as part of integrated security programs to enterprise clients
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
MSA Security product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MSA Security provides specialized high-consequence threat protection through certified canine detection teams, patented SmartTech CBRNE screening reviewed by FBI-trained bomb technicians, executive protection, and disaster/emergency response. Acquired by Allied Universal in 2021, it operates as part of Allied Universal's Enhanced Protection Services division and is the world's largest non-governmental canine detection company, deploying 1,000+ canine teams in the US and 3,000+ globally trained at 11 ATF-licensed sites.
Product overview
MSA Security operates as a specialized sub-brand within Allied Universal's Enhanced Protection Services portfolio, acquired in 2021. The company's core offerings include K9 Detection Services (certified canine teams for explosives, firearms, narcotics, and dangerous goods detection trained at 11 ATF-licensed sites), and SmartTech & CBRNE Screening (DHS SAFETY Act Designated threat screening solution with FBI-trained bomb technicians reviewing 250,000+ images annually). Allied Universal deploys over 1,000 detection canine teams in the US and 3,000 globally through this acquisition, making it the world's largest non-governmental canine detection company. The portfolio also includes complementary security services such as Executive Protection, Active Law Enforcement support, Disaster & Emergency Response, Specialized Training, Risk & Vulnerability Consulting, Intelligence Services, and Investigations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MSA Security K9 Detection Services Certified canine detection teams trained for explosives, firearms, narcotics, and dangerous goods detection. Teams are trained at 11 ATF-licensed training sites and NAPWDA certified, with 1,000+ teams deployed in the US and 3,000+ globally.
- SmartTech and CBRNE Screening Patented DHS SAFETY Act Designated screening solution that mitigates CBRNE threats to mailrooms, loading docks, and critical operational areas. FBI-trained bomb technicians review more than 250,000 images each year.
- Canine Security Detection and deterrence canine teams trained to identify explosives, firearms, narcotics, and dangerous goods. US teams are single-purpose and single-handler, certified for the detection of explosives, firearms, narcotics, or dangerous goods.
- Executive Protection Polished professionals with law enforcement experience provide elite protection for high-profile clients while maintaining discretion. Deployed for special event protection, counter-surveillance, and other unique protection requirements.
- Active Law Enforcement Network of vetted active law enforcement officers who deploy across industries and geographies, operating in their jurisdiction and under their authority as sworn law enforcement officers.
- Disaster and Emergency Response Emergency response measures that help mitigate risk during natural disasters, civil unrest, and other disturbances. Proactively mobilizes resources to protect life-safety and strengthen resilience for clients.
- Specialized Training Scenario-based training programs covering Executive Protection, X-ray Interpretation, Active Assailant and Workplace Violence Preparedness, and Fire Life Safety, delivering actionable skills to mitigate threats and safeguard people, assets, and operations.
- Risk and Vulnerability Consulting Risk advisory and consulting services across global locations. Seasoned experts conduct methodical analysis of unique threats, risks, and vulnerabilities to design custom solutions with detailed evaluations pinpointing vulnerabilities.
- Intelligence Services Professional analysts leverage sophisticated technology to conduct all-hazard threat monitoring, delivering actionable intelligence and escalating credible threats to safety, security, and business continuity.
- Investigations Comprehensive investigative and research skills combined with proven field techniques and sophisticated analysis to provide discreet verification, addressing challenges from due diligence to proactive threat management.
Companies that use MSA Security
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MSA Security technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
MSA Security partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Allied UniversalflagshipAllied Universal acquired MSA Security in 2021, creating the world's largest non-governmental canine detection company. The acquisition integrated MSA Security's specialized K9 detection, CBRNE screening, and bomb technician capabilities into Allied Universal's Enhanced Protection Services portfolio.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MSA Security competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pinkerton: Pinkerton is a global corporate security and investigations firm offering executive protection, intelligence, risk consulting, and security services to enterprise clients. While broader in scope than MSA, Pinkerton competes for the same enterprise security budgets and overlaps with MSA's executive protection, investigations, and risk consulting offerings.
- Control Risks: Control Risks is a global specialist risk consultancy providing political and security risk advisory, investigations, crisis response, and executive protection services to multinational clients. It competes with MSA's risk consulting, intelligence, and executive protection lines for enterprise security budgets.
- Securitas: Securitas is one of the world's largest security services providers, offering guarding, technology, and specialized security solutions globally. While its core business is general guarding, it operates in adjacent specialized security niches that compete with MSA's enterprise-focused offerings.
- SOS Security: SOS Security is a US-based security services firm providing uniformed security officers, specialized security, and event staffing to enterprise and government clients. It competes with Allied Universal's broader portfolio and overlaps with MSA in event and venue security work.
- Stroz Friedberg (Aon): Stroz Friedberg, part of Aon, provides investigations, intelligence, and cyber/risk advisory services to corporations and law firms. It competes with MSA's intelligence services and investigations lines for enterprise due-diligence and threat-management engagements.
- GardaWorld: GardaWorld is a global security services company offering cash solutions, physical security, and specialized security services across multiple geographies. As a broad incumbent in the security services market, it competes with Allied Universal (and by extension MSA) for large enterprise and government contracts.
Direct peers
- K2 Solutions: K2 Solutions is a US-based provider of K9 detection and security services, including explosives and narcotics detection canine teams, working-dog training, and specialized security support for government and enterprise clients. It is one of the closest direct competitors to MSA Security in the non-governmental canine detection market.
Regional players
- Prosegur: Prosegur is a Spain-headquartered global security firm with significant presence in Latin America and operations in the US. It overlaps with MSA on enterprise security services but primarily competes in different geographic markets, particularly Latin America.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MSA Security social profiles
Digital presenceMSA Security compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
MSA Security financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MSA Security leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MSA Security funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MSA Security M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MSA Security
What does MSA Security do?
MSA Security provides specialized high-consequence threat protection through certified canine detection teams, patented SmartTech CBRNE screening reviewed by FBI-trained bomb technicians, executive protection, and disaster/emergency response. Acquired by Allied Universal in 2021, it operates as part of Allied Universal's Enhanced Protection Services division and is the world's largest non-governmental canine detection company, deploying 1,000+ canine teams in the US and 3,000+ globally trained at 11 ATF-licensed sites.
When was MSA Security founded?
MSA Security was founded in 1987. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is MSA Security based?
MSA Security is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does MSA Security make money?
One revenue line is on record: security Services Revenue.
Who are MSA Security's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pinkerton, Control Risks, Securitas, SOS Security, Stroz Friedberg (Aon) and GardaWorld. K2 Solutions is listed as a direct peer. Prosegur is listed as a regional player.
Does MSA Security have an API?
No public API is recorded for MSA Security.
What industry is MSA Security in?
MSA Security's product category is Specialized Security Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAMAK, K-9 Security Services, with a secondary code of BPAKAKAA, Explosives & Narcotics Detection K9 Services. Its NAICS code is 56161 and its SIC code is 7381.