BHE

What BHE does

BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. is the German national trade association for the security technology industry, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Brücken, Germany. The organization represents approximately 1,592 member companies across specialist installers, planners, manufacturers, and alarm-monitoring centers, providing them with standards development input, technical guidance, certification programs, and continuing education through its subsidiary BHE-Akademie-GmbH. BHE operates 13 specialized technical committees that produce industry guidance and lobby on regulatory matters alongside standards bodies.

The association's core product surface consists of six Praxis-Ratgeber practice guides covering Informationstechnik (IT), Security, Video, Access Control, Fire Detection, and RWA (smoke and heat exhaust ventilation). Certification offerings include QM (quality management) and Cyber-Security credentials through BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH, as well as DIN 14675 certification for fire-alarm systems. A public Fachfirmensuche directory functions as a lead-generation asset for end customers seeking certified installers, while an E-Learning platform and publication Shop provide ongoing member value. The 2025 IT-Praxis-Ratgeber refresh added dedicated AI-content guidance (Chapter 5.8), reflecting BHE's role in translating emerging technology into installer-ready knowledge.

BHE's business model is a diversified association revenue model with four primary streams: membership dues from 1,592 member companies, training and seminar fees routed through BHE-Akademie-GmbH, publication and product sales via the BHE Shop, and certification fees via BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH. Leadership comprises Managing Director Carl J. Becker-Christian at the parent association, with Jörg Crauser leading BHE-Akademie-GmbH and Anke Sepp heading BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH. The organization partners with DIN, VdS, DKE, DAkkS, and the Swiss association SES on standards and cross-border initiatives.

Name

BHE

Legal name

BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V.

Website

https://bhe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. is the German national trade association for the security technology industry, founded in 1974. It serves 1,592 specialist member firms through standards development, certification, training, publications, and a public installer directory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS) Contracting (IMAFALAE), Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS) (HSAPAPAA)

Keywords

• Security technology association
• Industry certification programs
• Professional security training
• Security standards publishing
• Trade association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brücken

HQ country

Germany

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: BHE operates as a professional trade association funded primarily through annual membership fees from its member companies. Members include specialist firms (Fachfirmen), planners, manufacturers, and alarm monitoring centers in the German security technology sector.
2. Training and Education (BHE-Akademie-GmbH): Revenue is generated from seminar programs, in-house training, congresses (BHE-Errichter-Tag, Planertag), BHE-Thementage, e-learning courses, and examination materials offered through the BHE-Akademie subsidiary.
3. Publications and Shop Sales: Revenue from the BHE online shop selling BHE-Praxisratgeber (practice guides), technical papers, seminar materials, operating manuals (BHE-Betriebsbücher), security technique symbols, test panels, and norm/guideline documents at preferential member pricing.
4. Certification Services (BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH): Revenue generated from QM certification, DIN 14675 certification, and BHE Cyber-Security certification programs offered to member and non-member companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V. is a German national trade association that represents 1,592 specialist security technology companies. The association develops technical standards and guidelines, publishes practice guides (BHE-Praxisratgeber) covering fire detection, intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control, IT/cybersecurity, and related disciplines, and delivers certification, training, and continuing education programs through its subsidiaries BHE-Akademie-GmbH and BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH. It also operates 13 specialized technical committees (Fachausschüsse) and a public member directory (Fachfirmensuche).

Product overview

BHE (Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik e.V.) is a German industry association for security technology, not a traditional software product company. The organization offers a portfolio of publications (BHE-Praxis-Ratgeber series covering IT, security technology, video security, access control, fire detection, and smoke/heat extraction), training and certification programs through the BHE-Akademie including e-learning, quality management certification, cyber-security certification, and DIN 14675 certification. Additionally, BHE maintains a directory of 1592 certified specialist security companies through its Fachfirmensuche portal. The various practice guides are available as digital downloads or print editions through the BHE-Shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BHE-Akademie-GmbH: Training and continuing education services for the security industry
• BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH
• BHE-Errichter-Tag
• BHE-Thementage

Products and services

• BHE-Praxisratgeber Informationstechnik (IT) A practice guide covering IT fundamentals for security technology, including network structures, hardware, software, cable systems, and current standards, guidelines and legal requirements.
• BHE-Praxisratgeber Sicherungstechnik A comprehensive overview of modern security technology covering essential aspects of physical security measures.
• BHE-Praxisratgeber Videosicherheit Practice guide covering video security systems and surveillance technology.
• BHE-Praxisratgeber Zutrittssteuerung Practice guide for access control systems and access management.
• BHE-Praxisratgeber Rauch- und Wärmeabzugsanlagen (RWA) Practice guide for smoke and heat extraction systems.
• BHE-Praxisratgeber Brandmeldetechnik Practice guide for fire detection technology and fire alarm systems.
• BHE-Akademie E-Learning Platform Online learning management system providing continuing education, seminars, webinars, hybrid seminars, and e-learning courses for security technology professionals, accessible via weiterbildung.bhe.de.
• BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-Zertifizierung Quality management certification for security technology providers, operated through BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH.
• BHE Cyber-Security Zertifikat BHE-certified cyber security certification for security technology companies.
• DIN 14675 Zertifizierung Certification for fire alarm system installation and maintenance companies per DIN 14675 standard, offered via BHE's dedicated portal at din-14675.info.
• BHE-Fachfirmensuche (Specialist Firm Directory) Publicly accessible online directory of 1,592 BHE-certified member companies searchable by category (installer, planner, manufacturer, alarm monitoring center), geographic area, and specialization.
• BHE Congresses and Events (BHE-Errichter-Tag, Planertag, Thementage) Annual in-person congresses for security technology installers, planners, and topical experts, including BHE-Errichter-Tag and BHE-Thementage.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1592 specialist security technology companies listed in the BHE directory serving consumers and businesses across Germany

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DIN Deutsches Institut für NormungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHE collaborates with DIN on the development and dissemination of standards relevant to security technology, including the DIN 14675 standard for certification of fire alarm system specialist companies. BHE serves as a certification body for DIN 14675 and maintains a dedicated portal at din-14675.info.
• VdS SchadenverhütungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHE's Fachausschuss IT (FA-IT) works actively with VdS in cross-association working groups on the development of standards and guidelines in the area of IT networks for security applications. VdS is a major German loss prevention and security standards organization.
• DKE (Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBHE's Fachausschuss IT participates in the DKE working group on 'Vernetzung' (networking), contributing to the development of standards and recommendations for IT networks in security technology applications.
• MADMEN OnlinemarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMADMEN Onlinemarketing provides SEO services for the BHE website, supporting the association's organic search visibility and digital marketing efforts.
• SES Verband Schweizerischer Errichter von SicherheitsanlagenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSES is a Swiss association of security system installers. BHE maintains a link to SES on its Links page, indicating a cross-border industry relationship between the German and Swiss security technology associations.
• DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle)minorOthersBHE's DIN 14675 certification activities and quality management certifications operate within the German accreditation framework managed by DAkkS. Referenced in the BHE links section.
• Feuertrutz Verlag (Feuertrutz Magazin)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeuertrutz is listed among BHE's partner portals (Weitere Portale des BHE). Feuertrutz publishes Feuertrutz Magazin and organizes Feuertrutz trade fair, both relevant to fire protection and security technology in Germany.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a major global certification body offering security, cybersecurity, and quality management certification services that overlap with BHE-Qualitätsmanagement-GmbH. Much larger and broader certification portfolio, but competes for the same enterprise certification spend.
• ASIS International: ASIS International is the largest global professional association for security management professionals, offering certifications (CPP, PSP, PCI), training, and standards. Comparable role as a security industry membership and credentialing body, but globally focused and emphasizing security managers rather than installers.
• ZVEI Sicherheit (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie): ZVEI is Germany's main electrical and digital industry association, with a dedicated Sicherheit division covering security electronics manufacturers. Overlaps with BHE on industry representation and standards for security technology manufacturers but serves a much broader membership base.

Regional players

• CANASA (Canadian Security Association): CANASA is the Canadian national trade association for the security industry, offering member services, training, and advocacy for security installers and providers. Directly analogous to BHE's role in Germany but serving the Canadian market.
• SIA (Security Industry Association): SIA is the leading US trade association for security product and service providers, running standards, training, certification, and government advocacy. Mirrors BHE's functional model as a national security-technology trade association but serves the North American market.
• SES (Verband Schweizerischer Errichter von Sicherheitsanlagen): SES is the Swiss association of security system installers, explicitly linked on BHE's website as a cross-border industry counterpart. Closest international peer with a near-identical install/membership focus, but serving Switzerland instead of Germany.
• BSIA (British Security Industry Association): BSIA is the UK's trade association for the security industry, providing member services, technical standards, training, and certification comparable to BHE's offerings. Functionally analogous to BHE but operating in the UK market.

Direct peers

• VdS Schadenverhütung: VdS is Germany's primary loss-prevention and security-certification organization, issuing widely recognized VdS certifications for security and fire-protection installers. Identical mission to BHE on certification, collaborating with BHE on IT network standards but directly competing for certification authority.

Others

• DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung: DIN is Germany's national standards body and BHE's strategic partner on DIN 14675 fire alarm certification. Not a direct competitor but a collaborating authority that BHE depends on for standards legitimacy; relevant ecosystem participant.
• DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle): DAkkS is Germany's national accreditation body, providing the accreditation framework within which BHE's certification activities operate. Adjacent regulatory authority rather than a competitor, but central to BHE's certification value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bhe.verband.sicherheitstechnik
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bhe-bundesverband-sicherheitstechnik-e-v
• Instagraminstagram.com/bhe.verband.sicherheitstechnik

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about BHE