Protection Unit

What Protection Unit does

Protection Unit is a Belgian integrated security services provider founded in 2009 by Samuel Di Giovanni and headquartered in Wallonia. Operating through four legal entities — Protection Unit Srl, Protection Unit Flanders, Protection Unit Events, and Protection Unit Academy — alongside a Tunisian administrative subsidiary (Positive Solutions), the company employs over 3,000 collaborators across Belgium and Luxembourg and ranks among Belgium's Top 5 guarding firms following the 2019 acquisition of SGI Security.

Its service portfolio is structured around three pillars. The first is physical guarding, delivered through dedicated units — Static, Mobile, Event, Canine (EDD), Equestre (Horses UNIT) and Airport — covering multi-year framework contracts for institutions such as the European Commission, European Council, City of Brussels, Groupement Hospitalier Schuman, Liège Airport, Standard de Liège and Tomorrowland. The second is technology-enabled surveillance, including a 24/7 remote monitoring centre (Télégardiennage), alarm integration, DATI/panic button systems, geolocation of rolling equipment, drone-based aerial surveillance, and AI-augmented mobile cameras used for vehicle counting and crowd flow analysis. The third is hospitality and training, encompassing reception, hostesses/stewards, valet parking, drivers, and an FPS-approved Academy offering more than 80 course types from Wavre and Liège.

Commercially, Protection Unit uses an enterprise sales-led model with dedicated commercial delegates and a free-quote website CTA, generating multi-year recurring revenue from government and healthcare framework agreements and one-off/event revenue from large-scale festivals and conferences. Pricing is quote-based and indexed to the Belgian Joint Committee 317 (CP 317) wage regime, with surcharges for short-notice deployments. The company extends its offering into cybersecurity through the Cyber UNIT division, an exclusive partnership with Eye Security targeting Belgian enterprises, and in 2024 formalised a 360° strategic alliance with VLV, another Liège-based security firm. Quality and ESG credentials include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, the 2026 EcoVadis Bronze Medal and the Trends Gazelles Nationale – Wallonie 2026 award in the Grandes Entreprises category.

Name

Protection Unit

Legal name

PROTECTION UNIT SRL

Website

https://protectionunit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Belgian integrated security services provider operating across Belgium and Luxembourg with 3,000+ staff, offering physical guarding (static, mobile, event, canine, equestrian, airport), technology-enabled surveillance (drones, AI cameras, remote monitoring), cybersecurity (Cyber UNIT) and an FPS-approved training academy serving government, healthcare, sports, retail and event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Physical Security Guarding Services

NAICS

Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPABAMAA

Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards)

Business & Public Services/Facilities Management & Building Services/Security Management Services

Keywords

• Physical security services
• Event security management
• Remote monitoring services
• Security training academy
• Cybersecurity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Liège

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Static Guarding Services: Permanent or occasional on-site security agents stationed at client premises including buildings, public spaces, and events. Revenue is generated through hourly/daily rates governed by Joint Committee 317 for the security sector.
2. Mobile Patrol & Response Services: Rapid response following alarms, closing/opening rounds, and preventive mobile patrols on scheduled routes. Billed based on service frequency and response requirements.
3. Event Security Services: Security services for large-scale events including festivals, sports competitions, and public gatherings. Revenue generated through contracted service agreements with event organizers.
4. Remote Monitoring & Alarm Integration: Connection of client alarm systems to a 24/7 monitoring center, real-time camera supervision, telephone hotline, and dispatch services. Recurring service revenue from connected clients.
5. Professional Training Services: Approved training center offering security, safety, fire prevention, first aid, management, and conflict management courses. Courses are priced per participant and per training module. Training centers located in Wavre and Liège, with in-company and e-learning options.
6. Specialized Security Units: Canine (EDD - Explosive Detection Dogs), equestrian (Horses Unit), and airport security units provided as specialized services to complement standard guarding offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Protection Unit provides integrated physical security guarding, remote monitoring, and hospitality services to enterprises, public institutions, healthcare networks, sports venues, and event organizers across Belgium and Luxembourg. Core deliverables include static and mobile guarding, event security, canine and equestrian units, airport security, AI-enabled mobile camera surveillance, drone surveillance, a 24/7 remote guarding center with alarm integration, and a separate Cyber UNIT cybersecurity offering delivered in partnership with Eye Security. A Protection Unit Academy supplies FPS-approved professional training courses to the broader security industry.

Product overview

Protection Unit is a Belgian security company offering an integrated portfolio of physical security and monitoring services. The core offering spans guarding services (Static UNIT, Mobile UNIT, Event UNIT, Dogs UNIT, Horses UNIT, Airport UNIT), technology-enabled surveillance (Drones UNIT, Remote Guarding, Mobile Cameras, Alarm Integration, DATI/Panic Buttons, Geolocation, Call Center), and hospitality services (Welcome & Reception, Hostesses & Stewards, Parking Valets, Drivers). The company complements its service delivery with a proprietary training academy offering 80+ courses, and has developed sector-specific solutions for cities/municipalities and cybersecurity (Cyber UNIT). The portfolio operates as a unified security ecosystem combining human expertise with technology solutions including AI-powered camera analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cyber UNIT: Cybersecurity division offering comprehensive digital security solutions for Belgian enterprises through partnership with Eye Security.
• Horses UNIT
• Protection Unit Academy

Products and services

• Static UNIT (Static Guarding)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 trained collaborators deployed across Belgium and Luxembourg
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VLVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2024Strategic alliance between two Liège-based security companies to provide comprehensive 360° innovative and personalized security solutions. Both companies share common vision and values, combining their expertise to proactively address growing client security needs. Both are established Liège-area security specialists.
• Red BullminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 June 2023Marketing partnership where Red Bull provides its full range of energy drinks to Protection Unit agents (referred to as 'athletes') at major events. Red Bull gains brand visibility at Protection Unit-secured events while agents receive energy support. Described as Red Bull giving Protection Unit 'wings'.
• Eye SecuritycoreTechnology or Integration · 13 February 2023Exclusive partnership making Eye Security a core technology partner for Protection Unit's Cyber UNIT division. Eye Security, described as one of Europe's cybersecurity leaders, provides the technological backbone for Protection Unit's cybersecurity offerings to Belgian enterprises. This partnership enabled Protection Unit to expand from physical security into comprehensive cybersecurity services.
• Positive SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTunisian subsidiary handling administrative management of Protection Unit's services. Located at Capitole du Lac, Rue des Lacs de Mazurie, Tunis. Data transfers to this subsidiary are governed by EU standard contractual clauses ensuring GDPR compliance.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• VLV: Liège-based security company that entered a strategic alliance with Protection Unit in 2024. Operates in the same regional market with overlapping guarding and security services.
• Seris Security: Belgian-headquartered security and guarding company with similar service portfolio including static guarding, mobile patrols, and event security. Direct domestic peer competing for the same Belgian enterprise and government accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Loomis: International cash-in-transit and security services provider active across Europe. Comparable as a scaled competitor in adjacent security services for Belgian banks, retailers, and large enterprises.
• ISS A/S: Global facility services company offering integrated security as part of broader workplace solutions. Comparable as a scaled provider bundling security into facility management contracts for Belgian enterprises.
• G4S / Allied Universal: Large multinational security services group operating across Europe with comparable guarding, event security, and integrated security solutions. Direct competitor for large Belgian enterprise and government contracts.
• Prosegur: Spanish multinational security group with strong European guarding and cash-in-transit operations. Comparable as a scaled competitor pursuing integrated security contracts across European markets.
• Brink's: Global secure transportation and cash management company with operations in Belgium. Comparable in providing security-related services to financial and retail clients in the Belgian market.
• Securitas: Global #1 private security firm with extensive manned guarding, mobile patrols, and security solutions across Europe including Belgium. Comparable as the scaled international competitor that Protection Unit encounters on Belgian and EU institutional tenders.

Emerging players

• Eye Security: European cybersecurity provider that powers Protection Unit's Cyber UNIT division. Adjacent/partner rather than direct competitor, but highly relevant as the technology backbone behind Protection Unit's cybersecurity offering.

Regional players

• Trigion: Netherlands-based security services provider within the Facilicom Group offering manned guarding, mobile surveillance, and reception services. Comparable in service mix and Benelux regional focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCF3b9XQLlMygTjaXzcorG7Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/protectionunit
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protection-unit
• Instagraminstagram.com/protectionunit
• TikToktiktok.com/@protection_unit?lang=fr-FR
• Xx.com/protectionunit

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Protection Unit