BDSW BUNDESVERBAND DER SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT

What BDSW BUNDESVERBAND DER SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT does

BDSW (Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft) is a German trade association and employers' organization (Wirtschafts- und Arbeitgeberverband e.V.) representing the private security industry. Founded in 1904, BDSW is headquartered in Berlin with a secondary business office in Bad Homburg and operates with approximately 10 employees. The organization serves ordinary members (private security and guarding companies), extraordinary members, certified training schools, and certified training companies, providing collective tariff negotiations, federal-level lobbying, industry standards setting (including a Verhaltenskodex/code of conduct), training school certification, and security research initiatives such as the OSiMa project.

The association's product surface is non-technological and consists of member services rather than software or technology platforms. Core offerings include a members-only online portal, published industry statistics (Zahlen/Daten/Fakten), the 'mit SICHERHEIT' podcast, press releases, regular events (Annual General Meeting, Security Essen, Bayerischer Sicherheitstag), and downloadable work materials (BDSW Arbeitsmaterialien). BDSW also maintains membership in other associations, including the European-level CoESS (Confederation of Private Security Companies), through which it has participated in industry-wide initiatives such as the White Paper on AI in private security services and the Charter on ethical AI use.

BDSW's business model is membership-fee driven (Beitragsordnung), with revenue mechanics that are not publicly disclosed. It does not operate a commercial sales motion, does not publish pricing tiers, and does not derive revenue from technology products or APIs. The association is led by a Präsidium and Vorstand governance structure with Cornelia Okpara serving as Hauptgeschäftsführerin (Managing Director). Its GTM is relationship-based, anchored on regulatory representation, tariff bargaining, and institutional certification authority within the German private security sector.

Name

BDSW BUNDESVERBAND DER SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT

Legal name

BUNDESVERBAND DER SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT (BDSW) e.V.

Website

https://bdsw.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BDSW (Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft) is a German trade association and employers' organization representing the private security industry. Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Berlin, it provides collective tariff negotiations, lobbying, training certification, and industry representation to its member security companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BDSW is a German federal trade and employers' association (Wirtschafts- und Arbeitgeberverband e.V.) representing private security companies. It delivers membership-based industry services including federal lobbying and political representation, collective tariff negotiations, certification of security training schools (Sicherheitsfachschulen) and member companies, a code of conduct (Verhaltenskodex), industry statistics and research, and events such as the Annual General Meeting.

Product overview

BDSW (Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft) is a federal industry association and employers' organization (Wirtschafts- und Arbeitgeberverband e.V.) for the private security industry in Germany, not a product or technology company. The organization provides membership services including industry representation, tariff negotiations, certification of training schools and companies, research publications, events, and a podcast ('mit SICHERHEIT'). It connects member companies through state groups, specialist committees, and working groups rather than offering software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BDSW Arbeitsmaterialien (Work Materials) Published BDSW-branded work materials, guidelines, and reference documents related to private security operations, available for order through the BDSW online store for member companies and the broader security industry.
• mit SICHERHEIT - der BDSW Podcast Official BDSW podcast addressing topics relevant to the German private security industry, its members, and stakeholders. Distributed to industry professionals and the broader security community.
• Zertifizierte Sicherheitsfachschulen (Certified Security Training Schools) Certification scheme for security training schools that meet BDSW quality standards, providing recognized training credentials for the German private security workforce. Aimed at training providers seeking BDSW-recognized status.
• Collective Tariff Agreements (Bundesweite und Ländertarifverträge) BDSW-negotiated collective tariff agreements at federal and state (Land) level governing employment conditions for the German private security industry, accessible to BDSW member companies and their employees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Advocacy leading to favorable regulatory outcomes for private security industry

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• CoESS (European Confederation of Private Security Companies)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBDSW is affiliated with CoESS, the European Confederation of Private Security Companies. BDSW participated in CoESS initiatives including the White Paper on AI in private security services and the Charter on ethical use of AI in European private security services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CoESS (European Confederation of Private Security Companies): European-level trade association for the private security industry, of which BDSW is a national member. CoESS and BDSW share the same functional mandate (lobbying, standards, collective representation) and operate in the same value chain, with CoESS covering the pan-European layer BDSW uses to extend its reach.
• BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik: German trade association for security technology providers. Overlaps with BDSW's territory (Germany, private security industry) but covers the technology/systems side rather than guarding services; together the two split the German private security landscape.

Others

• DIHK (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag): German chamber of commerce organization representing the broader German business community. Comparable to BDSW as a member-based business representation body engaged in advocacy, training, and standards, but at a much larger scale and across all industries.
• Unternehmerverband Deutsche Industrie (UVI): German employer and industry association representing industrial employers. Structurally comparable to BDSW as an Arbeitgeberverband conducting collective bargaining, but operating in industrial/manufacturing rather than security services.
• Securitas AB: Largest global private security services provider and likely an BDSW member. Thematically comparable as a counterpart in the German private security industry BDSW represents, though operating as a commercial provider rather than an association.
• VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH: German institution for fire protection and security certification, owned by the German Insurance Association (GDV). Comparable to BDSW in setting certification standards for the German security and safety sector, with overlap on training and certification services.

Broad incumbents

• ASIS International: Global professional association for security management practitioners. Overlaps with BDSW in serving security professionals and offering certifications/standards, but operates at a broader international scale and is not nationally anchored.

Regional players

• BSIA (British Security Industry Association): UK national trade association for the private security industry, directly comparable to BDSW in mission, services (lobbying, standards, training certification), and structure. Comparable as a peer association serving a different national market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sprecher_BDSW
• Facebookfacebook.com/BDSW-BUNDESVERBAND-DER-SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT-240393212649601
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bdsw-bundesverband-der-sicherheitswirtschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about BDSW BUNDESVERBAND DER SICHERHEITSWIRTSCHAFT