VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs

What VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs does

VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs is an Austrian non-profit industry association founded on 23 January 1975 (with roots in a constituent assembly held 4 September 1974 as Verband der Sicherungsanlagenersteller Österreichs) that represents more than 80 member companies operating across the electronic security, mechanical security, and guarding services sectors. Its functional purpose is to develop and maintain national technical guidelines (Richtlinien), operate a product and installer certification system aligned with EN and ÖNORM standards, and provide professional training through the Bildungszentrum Sicherheit (BZS), which served over 4,600 participants in 2024. The association is governed by three specialist groups (Fachgruppe Elektronik, Fachgruppe Mechanik & Mechatronik, Fachgruppe Sicherheitsdienstleister) chaired by representatives from member companies such as PKE Electronics, EVVA Sicherheitstechnologie, and G4S.

VSÖ's core technology and product surface is non-product in the traditional commercial sense: it issues certifications and identification plaques for security equipment (safes, high-security doors, locks, alarms, video surveillance, access control), maintains the only comprehensive national certification system for security products and installers in Austria, and produces the annual Security Trend Report (Jahrbuch Sicherheit) and the EN/ÖNORM-compliant guidelines such as TRVE 10-3 (value protection rooms) and TRVE 10-4 (weapon storage). VSÖ-certified products qualify for government subsidies (e.g., 30% / up to €1,000 from Lower Austria for alarm systems and security doors) and are the reference standard for insurance eligibility, which creates downstream demand-pull for member companies.

The association's revenue mechanics derive from membership dues paid by 80+ member companies, paid training seminars and webinars (e.g., €200 excl. VAT for the Webinar Wertebehältnisse), and certification fees, though none of these streams are publicly disclosed in detail. Distribution is primarily B2B through an online Fachfirmensuche (specialist company directory) and Produktsuche (product database) on vsoe.at, supplemented by networking events (Security After Work), an annual press conference at Café Landtmann in Vienna, and partnerships with the Universität für Weiterbildung Krems, OVE, ÖZS, CoESS, and EUROSAFE. VSÖ is not a venture-backed or publicly listed entity; it is a private association headquartered at Müllnergasse 4/10, 1090 Vienna.

Name

VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs

Legal name

VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs

Website

https://vsoe.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VSÖ is a Vienna-based non-profit industry association founded in 1975 that represents more than 80 Austrian security companies across electronic, mechanical, and guarding sectors, issuing product certifications, maintaining EN/ÖNORM-aligned technical guidelines, and running accredited training through the Bildungszentrum Sicherheit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Industry Association Services

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Security Operations Center (SOC) & Remote Video Guarding (VSOC) (BPABAMAF)

Keywords

• Security industry association
• Security product certification
• Security standards development
• Security professional training
• Installer certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VSÖ is an Austrian industry association founded in 1975 that represents security companies across three specialist groups (Electronics, Mechanics & Mechatronics, and Security Services). It develops and maintains technical guidelines and standards (Richtlinien) for security products, operates a product certification and installer approval system, runs the Bildungszentrum Sicherheit education center, and publishes the annual Security Trend Report covering market data for the Austrian security industry.

Product overview

VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs is an industry association representing security companies in Austria, founded in 1975. The association offers a comprehensive portfolio of security products and services organized into three specialist groups: Electronics (alarm systems, video surveillance, access control), Mechanics (safes, high-security doors, locks), and Security Services (guarding, patrol, event security, cash transport). VSÖ provides product certification through its Errichter recognition program, operates the Bildungszentrum Sicherheit education center offering training to over 4,600 participants annually, and publishes the annual Security Trend Report (Jahrbuch Sicherheit). The association also develops technical guidelines and standards aligned with EN and ÖNORM requirements for the Austrian security industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VSÖ Bildungszentrum Sicherheit (BZS)
• VSÖ Errichter-Anerkennung (Installer Certification)
• Security Trend Report / Jahrbuch Sicherheit
• VSÖ Richtlinien und Standards (Technical Guidelines)
• VSÖ Seminare und Webinare
• VSÖ Produktzulassung (Product Certification)
• VSÖ Online Fachfirmensuche (Member Directory)
• VSÖ Produktsuche (Product Search)

Quantifiable outcome

• VSÖ-certified high-security doors are tested simultaneously by two examiners to withstand real-world burglary attempts.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2025CoESS is the European umbrella organization for private security services. VSÖ hosted the CoESS General Assembly in Vienna in May 2023 with over 50 industry experts attending. VSÖ board member Mag. Martin Wiesinger participates in CoESS activities, and CoESS Vice President Alexander Frank spoke at VSÖ's 50th anniversary gala in 2025, underlining the importance of European cooperation in security.
• OVE - Österreichischer Verband für ElektrotechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024VSÖ and OVE jointly hosted the CEN/CENELEC TC 79 (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization - Alarm/Anti-intrusion systems) meeting in Vienna in October 2024. VSÖ experts from the Electronics specialist group are active in CEN working groups, ensuring European security standards are reflected in Austrian guidelines.
• EUROSAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023VSÖ organized and hosted the EUROSAFE General Assembly in Vienna in May 2023, welcoming over 50 high-level industry experts. EUROSAFE is the European Association for Static Security Systems, and the event took place at Hotel am Konzerthaus, Vienna.
• Universität für Weiterbildung KremscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022VSÖ is a long-standing partner of the annual Security Conference in Krems organized by the University for Continuing Education Krems. The conference focuses on cybersecurity resilience and industry challenges. VSÖ was represented at the 22nd conference in 2022 and the 20th conference in 2022.
• Österreichische Zertifizierungsstelle (ÖZS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022ÖZS is the Austrian certification body that accredits VSÖ's training and certification programs for security services personnel. All newly hired employees at VSÖ member security companies must complete training certified by ÖZS through the VSÖ Bildungszentrum Sicherheit.
• Universität für Weiterbildung Krems - 21st Security ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSÖ acted as cooperation partner for the 21st Security Conference in Krems, with VSÖ representatives including Robert Grabovszki, Herbert Maté, and Ingeborg Zeller participating in the event.
• ESSECCA GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ co-hosted a Security After Work networking event with ESSECCA at their location in Bad Fischau-Brunn. The event featured a panel discussion on security industry topics.
• G4SminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ and G4S co-hosted a Security After Work event at G4S Salzburg headquarters to present the Allied World Security Report, featuring presentations on certified quality in security services.
• A1 (Telekom Austria)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ and A1 co-hosted a Security After Work event in March 2023 at the Bildungszentrum Sicherheit, featuring a presentation on the present and future of mobile telecommunications (5G) and its relevance to security systems.
• ÖWD security systemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ held a Security After Work event at ÖWD headquarters in Salzburg, featuring a presentation by Bernhard Steindl on technology-based services in the security industry, with discussion of megatrends and industry transformation.
• WertheimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ partnered with founding member Wertheim for the first Security After Work networking event in Guntramsdorf, where attendees learned about Wertheim's history and product portfolio including value containers and strongrooms.
• Impact Hub ViennaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVSÖ is a partner of the FutureHub: Sicherheit 2025 event organized by Impact Hub Vienna, bringing together security professionals, government officials, and industry leaders to discuss NIS2, digital resilience, and workplace safety topics.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CNPP (Centre National de Prévention et de Protection): French national body for fire prevention, explosion protection, and security risk management. Operates testing laboratories, issues certifications, and develops technical rules for security products and services — directly analogous to VSÖ's role in Austria.
• LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board): UK-based certification body (part of BRE Group) for fire and security products, including intruder alarms, access control, and physical security products. Direct peer to VSÖ's product certification function for the security equipment sector.
• NSI (National Security Inspectorate): UK's leading security and fire safety certification body, auditing and accrediting security installer and service companies against British and European standards. Closely comparable peer to VSÖ in installer certification and quality assurance.
• VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH: Germany's leading independent testing, certification, and standards body for fire protection and security. Directly comparable to VSÖ in mission — developing technical guidelines, certifying installers, and operating recognized product approval — but at much larger German-market scale and broader scope.
• BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. German trade association for security technology companies (alarm, video, access control, fire). Closely parallels VSÖ's Electronics specialist group in scope and member profile, representing installer and manufacturer members with technical guidelines and standards.

Broad incumbents

• ASIS International: Global association for security management professionals, with chapters across the EU and DACH region. Broader scope than VSÖ (includes corporate security, investigations, cybersecurity) but overlaps in professional standards, certification (CPP/PSP), and security industry advocacy.
• CoESS (Confederation of European Security Services): European umbrella organization for national private security service associations. VSÖ participates directly and hosted CoESS's General Assembly in Vienna (May 2023). Functions as the pan-European layer above national bodies like VSÖ.

Regional players

• SIA (Security Industry Association): US-based trade association for security product manufacturers and service providers. Comparable in mission (industry advocacy, standards, education) but operates in the North American market with a different regulatory environment than VSÖ's DACH focus.

Others

• EUROSAFE: European Association for Static Security Systems (safes, vault doors, secure storage). VSÖ hosted EUROSAFE's General Assembly in Vienna (May 2023) and collaborates on European standards for mechanical security — adjacent peer representing a subset of VSÖ's Mechanics specialist group at European level.
• OVE - Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik: Austrian electrotechnical standards body that jointly hosted the CEN/CENELEC TC 79 meeting with VSÖ in Vienna (October 2024). Comparable in operating model (standards development, certification, technical guidelines) but broader scope covering all electrotechnical domains rather than security specifically.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VSOE_verband
• Facebookfacebook.com/sicherheitoesterreich
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vsoesicherheit
• Instagraminstagram.com/vsoe_verband

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about VSÖ - Verband der Sicherheitsunternehmen Österreichs