Special Security Services
Special Security Services (Specsec) is a German event security and crowd management firm serving concert promoters, venues, and touring artists (Madonna, U2, AC/DC, Helene Fischer). With 780 employees and 2,000+ events annually, it delivers tailored security, visitor-flow, and international tour coordination services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersBergheim, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Special Security Services does
Special Security Services Deutschland SSSD GmbH (operating as Specsec, DBA #TeamSpecsec) is a privately held German event security and crowd management firm headquartered in Bergheim, Germany. Founded around 1985, the company delivers five integrated service lines: Veranstaltungs-sicherheitsdienste (event security), Veranstaltungs-ordnungsdienste und Crowd Management (visitor flow and wayfinding), Projektierung (customized personnel concepts with predictive planning), Künstler- und Tourneebetreuung (artist and tour security with international coordination and budget accounting), and Gremienarbeit (industry standards and BMBF-funded research participation). With 780 employees and 2,000+ events per year, the firm serves event organizers, venue operators, and music artists and their management teams, with named clients including Marek Lieberberg, Herbert Grönemeyer, Madonna, U2, AC/DC, Pink, Billie Eilish, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Helene Fischer, and the Rudolf Weber-ARENA Oberhausen.
The business is a services-only operation with no software product, no app, and no proprietary technology stack disclosed. The firm's technical differentiator is domain expertise in crowd-flow methodology, built over twelve years through four BMBF-funded research projects (Hermes 2010-2012, BaSiGo 2013-2016, ProVOD 2016-2019, CroMa 2019-2022) and participation in BDSW standards committees. Operational differentiation is driven by large experienced workforce, dual ISO 9001 and DIN 77200-1 certification, and BDSW membership, which together reduce buyer due-diligence friction in public-venue and large-promoter tenders.
The commercial model is B2B enterprise field sales with project-based contracts and multi-year tour relationships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is set per engagement based on event scope, geography, and personnel concept. While the primary operating territory is Germany, the artist touring service line extends internationally. The company is independently owned and managed by Geschäftsführer Martin Houbé and Linda-Maria Wolter, with no parent company, no institutional investors, and no disclosed M&A activity.
Special Security Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Special Security Services
- Legal name
- Special Security Services Deutschland SSSD GmbH
- Website
- https://specsec.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Special Security Services (Specsec) is a German event security and crowd management firm serving concert promoters, venues, and touring artists (Madonna, U2, AC/DC, Helene Fischer). With 780 employees and 2,000+ events annually, it delivers tailored security, visitor-flow, and international tour coordination services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Special Security Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Security & Crowd Management Services
- NAICS
- Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Security & Crowd Management (IMAIAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Concerts & Live Music Venue Security (BPAKACAA), Event Security Management (BPABAMAC), Festivals, Fairs & Outdoor Event Security (BPAKACAC)
Keywords
Where Special Security Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bergheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Special Security Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Event Security Services: Service-based revenue from providing security personnel and crowd management for events. Contracts are project-based for specific events, with potential long-term client relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Professional security services - pricing available upon request |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Special Security Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Special Security Services provides B2B event security and crowd management services for concerts, festivals, public events, and international artist tours. The company deploys 780 trained staff across 2,000+ events per year, offering event security services, event order services with visitor flow analysis, customized personnel concept planning, and dedicated artist and tour coordination across Germany and internationally.
Product overview
Special Security Services (Specsec) is a security services provider specializing in event security, crowd management, and artist/tour support. The company offers five interconnected service areas: Veranstaltungs-sicherheitsdienste (VSD) for event protection and staffing; Veranstaltungs-ordnungsdienste (VOD) und Crowd Management for visitor flow optimization; Projektierung for customized personnel concept development; Künstler- und Tourneebetreuung for artist and tour coordination; and Gremienarbeit for industry standards development and research. With 780 employees, 2000+ events per year, and 41 years of experience, the services work together to provide comprehensive security solutions from planning through execution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Veranstaltungs-sicherheitsdienste (VSD) — Event Security Services Comprehensive event security services for concerts, festivals, and public events, including risk analysis, tailored personnel planning, and continuous on-site monitoring with rapid, flexible response capabilities. Designed for event organizers and venues requiring professional protection and customized staffing concepts.
- Veranstaltungs-ordnungsdienste (VOD) und Crowd Management Event order services and crowd management focused on visitor safety, comfort, and smooth operations. Includes visitor flow analysis, wayfinding optimization, and proactive visitor assistance delivered by communicative staff. Targeted at event organizers and venues managing large crowds.
- Projektierung — Customized Personnel Concept Planning Planning and development of customized personnel concepts for specific event needs and circumstances. Includes detailed planning, forward-looking analyses, and support for space planning and visitor routing. Designed for event organizers and venues that require tailored staffing plans.
- Künstler- und Tourneebetreuung — Artist and Tour Support Coordination and supervision services for artists on national, German-speaking, and international tours. Includes artist security, venue security coordination, budget accounting for security services, and specialized crowd management. Clients include AC/DC, Pink, Madonna, U2, Helene Fischer, Herbert Grönemeyer, Depeche Mode, Billie Eilish, The Cure, Luciano Pavarotti, and others.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully managing 2000+ events per year with consistent service delivery
Companies that use Special Security Services
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Special Security Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Special Security Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung)coreActive collaboration in four BMBF-funded research projects: Hermes (2010-2012), BaSiGo (2013-2016), ProVOD (2016-2019), and CroMa (2019-2022). These projects focus on crowd management research and have influenced the company's service development and industry training standards.
- Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft (BDSW)minorIndustry association membership providing networking, standards development participation, and industry credibility. The company engages in committee work to improve and implement national and international industry standards.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Special Security Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Showsec: UK-based specialist event and crowd-management security firm serving concerts, festivals, and sporting events. Closely comparable to Specsec in scope (event security, crowd management, stewarding) and delivery model, though geographically focused on the UK.
- Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC): US event security and crowd-management specialist providing services to concerts, sports, and conventions. Direct comparable in service mix (event security, crowd management, guest services) and enterprise scale, but operating in North America.
- Event Security Services Ltd: UK event security specialist providing stewards, door supervisors, and crowd management for concerts, festivals, and corporate events. Closely comparable service scope and customer base to Specsec, though UK-focused.
Broad incumbents
- Gegenbauer Sicherheit: Berlin-based security and facility services firm with event and guarding offerings. Comparable in German-market security services, with event security as one component of a broader service portfolio.
- Dussmann Group: German facility and security services group offering guarding, event security, and integrated facility management. Comparable in scale and geography, with event security handled alongside broader facility operations.
- Stölting Sicherheit: German security services provider offering guarding, event security, and consulting. Comparable in guarding and event-security services, operating as a multi-segment German incumbent.
- Securitas AB (Germany): Global security services leader with German operations covering guarding, event security, and mobile patrols. Comparable core service line but offers event security as part of a much broader international portfolio.
- Kötter Sicherheit: One of Germany's largest family-owned security service providers, offering stationery guarding, event security, and facility services. Comparable headcount scale and German market presence, with event security as one segment of a broader portfolio.
- Allied Universal (G4S integration): Global security services giant (post-G4S merger) providing guarding, event security, and integrated solutions. Comparable in event-security delivery but operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies.
- Wisag Sicherheit & Service: Major German security and facility-services group providing guarding, event security, and reception services. Overlaps with Specsec's service categories but operates as a multi-vertical incumbent rather than a specialist.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Special Security Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Special Security Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Special Security Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Special Security Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Special 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 Special Security Services
What does Special Security Services do?
Special Security Services provides B2B event security and crowd management services for concerts, festivals, public events, and international artist tours. The company deploys 780 trained staff across 2,000+ events per year, offering event security services, event order services with visitor flow analysis, customized personnel concept planning, and dedicated artist and tour coordination across Germany and internationally.
Is Special Security Services a public or private company?
Special Security Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Special Security Services founded?
Special Security Services was founded in 1985. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Special Security Services based?
Special Security Services is headquartered in Bergheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Special Security Services make money?
One revenue line is on record: event Security Services.
Who are Special Security Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Showsec, Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) and Event Security Services Ltd. Broad incumbents are Gegenbauer Sicherheit, Dussmann Group, Stölting Sicherheit, Securitas AB (Germany), Kötter Sicherheit, Allied Universal (G4S integration) and Wisag Sicherheit & Service.
Does Special Security Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Special Security Services.
What industry is Special Security Services in?
Special Security Services's product category is Event Security & Crowd Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAEAD, Event Security & Crowd Management, with a secondary code of BPAKACAA, Concerts & Live Music Venue Security. Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7381.