Thorburn Security Solutions

Name

Thorburn Security Solutions

Legal name

Thorburn Security Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://thorburn.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Thorburn Security Solutions is a South African integrated security services provider and Tsebo Solutions Group division, delivering intelligence-led manned guarding, AI-augmented monitoring, technology integration, and specialised protection to enterprise and residential clients nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Services

NAICS

Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Systems Services (56162), Armored Car Services (561613)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Critical Infrastructure Guarding (Utilities, Plants, Data Centers) (BPAKAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Security Consulting, Risk Assessment & Security Program Design (BPABAMAE), Secure Transportation & Protective Driving (Armored / Convoy) (BPAKABAH), Executive Protection Intelligence & Threat Management (Protective Intelligence) (BPAKABAI)

Keywords

• Integrated security services
• Physical guarding
• Off-site monitoring
• Security consulting
• Fire management

Headquarters

HQ city

Midrand

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Integrated Security Services: Recurring security services including physical guarding, armed response, patrolling, canine services, off-site monitoring, integrated technology solutions, consulting and advisory, fire management, and property/facilities management. Delivered as tailored, intelligence-led risk-based solutions across South Africa.
2. Armoured Fleet Rentals: Rental of armoured 4x4 bakkies and personnel carriers equipped with B6-level armouring, including professional drivers trained for maximum security. Custom rates offered; revenue earned on a per-rental transaction basis.
3. Specialised Security Services: High-risk security services including tactical interventions, VIP and close protection, investigations and undercover operations, secure cargo, drone surveillance, and event security. Billed as project-based or retainer engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Thorburn Security Solutions provides intelligence-led, integrated security services across South Africa, encompassing physical guarding, advanced off-site monitoring, integrated technology solutions (AI-powered CCTV, analytics, IoT, access control), consulting and advisory, specialised security (VIP, tactical, drone surveillance), data analytics and insights, fire management, and security armoured fleet rentals. The company serves mining, industrial, commercial, residential estate, government, hospitality, retail, and logistics clients through four regional offices and a workforce of over 6,500 trained personnel.

Product overview

Thorburn Security Solutions operates as a multi-module integrated security platform delivering intelligence-led, risk-based protection services across South Africa. The core offering consists of seven interconnected service lines: Physical and Guarding Solutions (manned guarding, armed response, patrolling, canine services), Advanced Off-Site Monitoring (24/7 National Monitoring Centres, remote guard supervision, vehicle tracking), Consulting and Advisory (risk assessments, security strategies, control centre design), Integrated Technology Solutions (AI-powered CCTV, access control, intrusion detection, video analytics), Property and Facilities Solutions (vacant property, facilities management, energy optimisation), Specialised Security Services (tactical interventions, VIP protection, drone surveillance, investigations), and Data Analytics and Insights (predictive modelling, CiiMS integration, AI-driven anomaly detection). Additional modules include Fire Management Solutions (detection, suppression, voice evacuation systems) and Security Armoured Level Fleet Rentals (B6-level armoured vehicles). The platform combines human expertise with AI, IoT, cloud integration, and data-driven analytics to deliver proactive, unified security outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical and Guarding Solutions Manned guarding and physical security services deployed across enterprise, commercial, industrial, mining, and residential estate sites throughout South Africa, delivered by a workforce of over 6,500 trained personnel.
• Advanced Off-Site Monitoring 24/7 remote monitoring services delivered from national monitoring centres, complementing on-site guarding with AI-driven surveillance and rapid response coordination.
• Consulting and Advisory Services Strategic security consulting, risk assessment, and advisory services for enterprise, government, and high-risk clients, leveraging AI-driven risk analytics and predictive modelling.
• Integrated Technology Solutions Vendor-agnostic, open-architecture technology integration combining AI-powered CCTV, video analytics, IoT sensors, access control, and cloud-based monitoring for enterprise security environments.
• Property and Facilities Solutions Property and facilities management solutions integrated with security services, leveraging the Tsebo facility management ecosystem for enterprise and commercial clients.
• Specialised Security Services Specialised security offerings including VIP protection, tactical deployment, and drone surveillance for high-risk individuals, executives, and sensitive sites.
• Data Analytics and Insights AI-driven risk analytics, predictive modelling, and data insights enabling intelligence-led security outcomes and proactive threat detection across client environments.
• Fire Management Solutions Fire detection, prevention, and management services integrated with security operations for high-risk industrial and mining environments.
• Security Armoured Level Fleet Rentals Rental of security armoured-level vehicles with GPS tracking for cash-in-transit, high-value asset movement, and secure cargo transport.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% average client satisfaction score with 95% average client retention rate (Tsebo Sustainability Report, 2022)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thungela ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023Thungela Resources, South Africa's leading thermal coal exporter with six remote Mpumalanga mining sites, partners with Thorburn for security services aligned with ESG and sustainability targets. The partnership focuses on inclusive procurement in mining security, SMME development, and skills transfer to advance Thungela's doorstep communities. Thorburn's role extends beyond security to facilitating community upliftment and local supplier development.
• World Economic ForumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Tsebo Solutions Group has partnered with the World Economic Forum as part of its broader ESG and sustainability commitment. The partnership supports Tsebo's strategic focus on being a powerful force for good in Africa.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Tsebo Solutions Group is a signatory to the UN Global Compact. Tsebo CEOs Dr Chris Jardine and Tim Walters are official members of the UN Global Compact's Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC), a call to action for business leaders to unite for a more sustainable, prosperous Africa.
• Risk InsightsminorOthers · 1 January 2022Tsebo Solutions Group partnered with ESG rating platform Risk Insights as part of its sustainability reporting and ESG benchmarking initiative, supporting transparent reporting on environmental, social, and governance performance.
• EcoVadisminorOthers · 1 January 2022Tsebo Solutions Group partnered with EcoVadis sustainability rating platform to support ESG rating assessment and benchmarking as part of its inaugural Sustainability Report.
• Affinity HealthminorOthersThrough partnership with Affinity Health, Thorburn employees have access to affordable, quality health insurance options. Medical cover solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of the workforce, supporting their wellbeing.
• Association of Residential Communities (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFully compliant with and partnering with ARC to support homeowners' associations in creating safer, well-managed residential communities. Thorburn serves premier lifestyle estates across South Africa.
• Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA)coreOthersFully compliant with PSIRA regulations ensuring trusted and legally governed security services across all operations.
• South African Intruder Detection Services Association (SAIDSA)coreOthersAffiliated with SAIDSA, reflecting dedication to delivering reliable and industry-compliant intrusion detection solutions.
• National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS)coreOthersRecognised by the NBCPSS for maintaining rigorous certification standards in private security practice. HR Director Franz Verhufen serves as board member and national chairperson in key councils.
• South African Security Association (SASA)coreOthersActive member of SASA, contributing to the advancement and professionalism of South Africa's security sector.
• Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)coreOthersDedicated to skills development and training excellence through SASSETA accreditation and partnership, supporting the training and development of security sector professionals.
• Cameras and Monitoring Providers Association of South Africa (CAMPROSA)minorOthersAligned with CAMPROSA ensuring cutting-edge and compliant surveillance technology solutions.
• South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SAIOSH)minorOthersCommitted to the highest occupational health and safety standards through active engagement with SAIOSH.
• Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF)minorOthersProud member of PSSPF, ensuring full compliance with statutory retirement, disability, death, and funeral benefit contributions for security personnel.
• Tsebo Solutions GroupcoreOthersThorburn Security Solutions is a division and proud member of the Tsebo Solutions Group, a 50-year-old African leader in integrated facility management and security solutions. Tsebo provides group-level governance, policies, and shared services including the Tsebo Skills Academy, management development programmes, and group-wide HR, finance, and compliance frameworks.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bidvest Prestige Cleaning and Security: Bidvest group division providing security and cleaning services across South Africa. Comparable in scale and integrated facility/security service delivery model.
• Securitas South Africa: Global security services leader with South African operations focused on guarding, technology, and consulting. Comparable scale and intelligence-led positioning make it a direct competitor for enterprise contracts.
• Fidelity Services Group: South Africa's largest privately-owned security company with guarding, cash solutions, and electronic security offerings. Directly competes with Thorburn across all major verticals and has similar nationwide presence.
• Servest Security: Provides integrated security, cleaning, and facility management services in South Africa. Comparable integrated services model targeting similar enterprise and commercial clients.
• Chubb Fire & Security South Africa: Provides integrated security and fire solutions to commercial and industrial clients in South Africa. Comparable to Thorburn's integrated technology and fire management offerings.
• G4S South Africa: Global security services giant with substantial South African operations providing manned security, monitoring, and risk consulting. Direct competitor in enterprise and commercial security with overlapping technology offerings.
• Bidvest Protea Coin: One of South Africa's largest integrated security services providers, offering manned guarding, cash-in-transit, and electronic security. Directly comparable to Thorburn in scale, service breadth, and target verticals (mining, commercial, residential).
• ADT Security (South Africa): Major South African electronic security and monitoring provider with residential and commercial focus. Direct competitor in off-site monitoring, CCTV, and alarm response services.
• CSS Security: South African security services provider offering guarding, armed response, and electronic security to residential and commercial clients. Comparable in service mix and target market segments.

Others

• Bidvest Tsebo (Parent Context): Parent company of Thorburn and broader integrated facility management group. Useful as a parent-level benchmark for full-service security and facility management capabilities across Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/ThorburnSecurity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thorburn-holdings
• Facebookfacebook.com/thorburngroup

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 Thorburn Security Solutions