Every security provider sells the same words – discreet, professional, ex-Special Forces, bespoke. Here’s how to tell them apart without becoming an expert yourself.
Ask for the risk assessment, not the quote
A provider who quotes before assessing is selling headcount. A provider who assesses first is selling outcomes. The latter is almost always cheaper in the long run and almost always less visible.
Check licensing and insurance
In the UAE, private security is regulated by SIRA (Dubai) and the relevant emirate-level authorities. Ask for:
- SIRA licence for the company and for individual operators.
- Professional indemnity and public liability cover (amount and insurer named).
- Firearms status – in the UAE the default is unarmed; any claim otherwise is a red flag.
Ask about hand-offs
What happens when you travel to London, Singapore, Riyadh? A serious provider has vetted partners in every major jurisdiction with a briefed hand-off protocol. A weak provider will hand you to whichever local provider is cheapest.
Interview the operator, not the sales team
The person driving you is the person protecting you. Request the CV, spend 15 minutes on a call, and ask them to walk you through a typical day. You’ll learn more in that call than in any proposal deck.
The fit test
Security is 10% tradecraft and 90% presence. If your operator makes your household uncomfortable, your security posture has a ceiling. Good operators fade into the family. Great ones become trusted advisors.