American Security Services
American Security Services is a Chicago-area contract security firm providing armed and unarmed guards, fingerprinting, and 20-hour certification training across 11 verticals including healthcare, logistics, and construction, serving enterprise and mid-market clients in the Midwest since 1986.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersForest Park, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Security Services does
American Security Services, Inc. is a privately held, Illinois-incorporated contract security firm founded in 1986 and headquartered in Forest Park, Illinois, operating primarily across the Chicago metropolitan area and the broader Midwest. The company's core offering is staffed guarding — both armed and unarmed — delivered to commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional clients across 11 verticals including healthcare, logistics, construction, chemical/petrochemical, retail, hospitality, education, transportation, and warehousing/event security. Customer acquisition is run as an enterprise field-sales motion with quote-based, multi-year contracts and a direct phone/inquiry-form lead capture; the firm supplements its direct geography with a nationwide partnership network to serve multi-location accounts.
The product portfolio centers on personnel but is supported by proprietary operational technology: a Mobile Security Management System (MSMS) enabling real-time officer tracking, supervision, and electronic reporting; in-house Live Scan biometric fingerprinting linked to FBI and Illinois State Police databases (used both internally for officer screening and externally as a $120-base-fee service for PERC and 30+ license types); a 20-hour security certification training program; and a 24/7 in-house dispatch function. Screening protocols combine dual interviews, biometric capture, exhaustive background checks, and reference verification, with all officers receiving the 20-hour initial training plus 8 hours of annual classroom instruction.
Revenue mechanics are dominated by managed guard-hour billing under multi-year enterprise contracts, supplemented by unit-priced fingerprint services and subsidized training. The company employs 501-1,000 people, is independently owned with no disclosed parent or institutional capital, and serves both mid-market and enterprise clients (named relationships include a Fortune 500 healthcare company and a national logistics provider with a relationship spanning nearly a decade). Marketing is primarily organic — website, SEO, Facebook, LinkedIn — supported by direct phone-driven sales.
American Security Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Security Services
- Legal name
- American Security Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://americansecurityservices.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- American Security Services is a Chicago-area contract security firm providing armed and unarmed guards, fingerprinting, and 20-hour certification training across 11 verticals including healthcare, logistics, and construction, serving enterprise and mid-market clients in the Midwest since 1986.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Security Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security Guard Services
- NAICS
- Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Investigation and Security Services (5616)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Static Guarding (Access Control, Reception & Gatehouse) (BPAKAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards) (BPABAMAA), Industrial & Critical Infrastructure Guarding (Utilities, Plants, Data Centers) (BPAKAAAD), Residential & Community Guarding (HOAs, Gated Communities) (BPAKAAAE), Private Security, Guarding & Patrol Training (EDAOAMAF), Security Systems Monitoring & Dispatch (SOC/Remote Guarding) (IMAIAEAF)
Keywords
Where American Security Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Forest Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
American Security Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Security Guard Services: Armed and unarmed security guard services provided to commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional clients. Services include static guards, foot patrols, access control, incident de-escalation, and emergency response. Revenue generated through contracted guard hours.
- Fingerprint Services: Live Scan fingerprinting services for PERC applications and various licensing requirements including healthcare, security, finance, and other regulated industries. Base fee of $120 for standard services with walk-in premium of $20.
- Security Training: 20-hour security certification training provided to new security officers. Training covers active shooter response, customer service, de-escalation techniques, and site-specific procedures. Cost subsidized for employees after 20 weeks of employment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Fingerprinting Service |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Security Guard Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
American Security Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
American Security Services provides contracted armed and unarmed uniformed security guard services to commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional clients across the Chicago metropolitan area and Midwest. Core services include static guards, foot patrols, access control, incident de-escalation, fire watch, and 24/7 dispatch coverage. Adjacent offerings include Live Scan fingerprinting for PERC and other regulated-industry licenses and a 20-hour security certification training program.
Product overview
American Security Services is a traditional security guard services company offering a portfolio of security personnel and supporting technology services. The core offering consists of Armed Security Services and Unarmed Security Services, which can be supplemented by Event Security Services. The company provides specialized security across 11 industry verticals (Chemical & PetroChem, Commercial & Office, Construction & Fire Watch, Educational, Hospitals & Healthcare, Hotels & Hospitality, Industrial & Manufacturing, Residential Communities, Retail & Shopping Centers, Trucking & Transportation, and Warehouses & Distribution). Supporting services include Fingerprint Services (Live Scan fingerprinting for PERC and other Illinois licenses), 20-Hour Security Certification training, and a 24/7 Dispatch Service. Technology offerings include a Mobile Security Management System (MSMS) for real-time officer tracking and electronic reporting. The company operates primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area and Midwest region since 1986.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Armed Security Services Armed uniformed security guard services for clients with elevated risk profiles. Officers are licensed for duty weapons and trained in de-escalation, supported by real-time electronic reporting and 24/7 dispatch. Targeted at enterprise and mid-market buyers in healthcare, logistics, industrial, petrochemical, and high-value asset settings.
- Unarmed Security Services Unarmed uniformed security guard services providing visible deterrence, routine patrol, access control, and incident de-escalation and reporting. Targeted at commercial, residential, retail, hospitality, and office property clients in the Chicago metro and Midwest.
- Event Security Services Professional uniformed security guard services for events and specific client security concerns across business and facility types. Includes de-escalation, access control, and visible deterrence at event venues.
- Fingerprint Services Live Scan fingerprinting services for PERC applications and Illinois Fee Applicant fingerprints, including processing for more than 30 license types such as Permanent Employee Registration Cards. Walk-in service available with a $20 premium; UCIA and ISP-only prints priced at $60. Serves individuals in security, healthcare, finance, and other regulated industries.
- 20-Hour Security Certification Training Online 20-hour security certification program for new and existing security officers covering active shooter response, customer service, de-escalation techniques, and site-specific procedures. Training tuition is reimbursed for employees after 20 weeks of employment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Long-term client retention - nearly a decade relationship with national logistics provider client
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use American Security Services
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments11 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
American Security Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
American Security Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Security Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GardaWorld: Canadian-based global security, cash services, and protective services company with significant North American guarding operations. Competes for large enterprise contracts similar to those held by American Security.
- Securitas: Global security services leader providing uniformed guarding, mobile patrol, and electronic security for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Comparable offering breadth and direct competitor on enterprise RFPs in the Midwest.
- Allied Universal: Largest North American security guard and facility services company, offering manned guarding, technology, and risk consulting across all 50 states. Directly competes with American Security for enterprise guarding contracts in Chicago and nationally.
- U.S. Security Associates: Large national security guard firm (now part of Allied Universal) providing uniformed officers and specialized security services to commercial and industrial clients. Direct competitor in the manned guarding category.
Direct peers
- St. Moritz Security Services: Mid-sized regional security guard provider offering uniformed officers, concierge security, and security consulting across multiple U.S. regions. Comparable scale, multi-vertical approach, and enterprise client base.
- Signal 88 Security: Franchise-based mobile patrol and static guard provider with dense U.S. franchise footprint. Comparable service mix (guard + patrol + customized SOPs) targeting similar mid-market and enterprise customers.
- Titan Security Group: Chicago-based security guard and loss prevention firm serving commercial, residential, and industrial clients across the Midwest. Most direct local competitor given overlapping Chicago geography and similar vertical mix.
- APG Security: U.S. security guard and protective services company offering uniformed officers, mobile patrol, and event security for commercial, residential, and institutional clients. Comparable mid-sized footprint and vertical mix.
- National Security & Protective Services: Mid-market security guard and patrol services firm serving commercial, industrial, and government clients across multiple U.S. regions. Similar service portfolio, contract structure, and customer profile to American Security.
Regional players
- National Security Systems: Regional security services provider offering uniformed guards, event security, and consulting primarily in the U.S. Midwest. Comparable regional focus, vertical breadth, and target customer segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Security Services social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Security Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Security Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
American Security Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Security Services 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 American Security Services
What does American Security Services do?
American Security Services provides contracted armed and unarmed uniformed security guard services to commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional clients across the Chicago metropolitan area and Midwest. Core services include static guards, foot patrols, access control, incident de-escalation, fire watch, and 24/7 dispatch coverage. Adjacent offerings include Live Scan fingerprinting for PERC and other regulated-industry licenses and a 20-hour security certification training program.
Is American Security Services a public or private company?
American Security Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was American Security Services founded?
American Security Services was founded in 1986. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is American Security Services based?
American Security Services is headquartered in Forest Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Security Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Security Guard Services are the primary driver. The others are fingerprint Services and security Training.
Who are American Security Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GardaWorld, Securitas, Allied Universal and U.S. Security Associates. Direct peers are St. Moritz Security Services, Signal 88 Security, Titan Security Group, APG Security and National Security & Protective Services. National Security Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does American Security Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Security Services.
What industry is American Security Services in?
American Security Services's product category is Security Guard Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAAAA, Static Guarding (Access Control, Reception & Gatehouse), with a secondary code of BPABAMAA, Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards). Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7381.