275 security guard and private security companies in San Diego, California. Ranked by license status, profile views and recommendations.
Part of the directory of security companies in California. New to California? See how California security licensing works.
275 companies · Page 1 of 6
ABSOLUTE PRIVATE SECURITY
ACCURATE SECURITY PROS, INC.
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ACTIVE PROTECTION SERVICES
ADVANCED SURVELLANCE & TACTICAL INFORMATION SPECIALIST
ADVANTAGE SECURITY INC
ALARM CENTER GROUP, INC.
ALARMS UNLIMITED INC
ALL POINT SECURITY
ALLIED UNIVERSAL ENHANCED PROTECTION SERVICES
ALLSTAR SECURITY SYSTEMS
ALPHA GROUP PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC.
ASAP SECURITY
ATLAS DEFENSE GROUP, INC.
AZTEC SECURITY
B2B SECURITY
BALD EAGLE SECURITY, INC
BARRETT PROTECTIVE AGENCY
BOLLING & ASSOCIATES CONSULTING AND INVESTIGATIONS
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San Diego's security market is shaped by its military and defense presence, biotech and research campuses, the cross-border trade corridor at Otay Mesa, and a large hospitality sector along the waterfront and in the Gaslamp Quarter. Companies in the region cover hotel and event security, industrial parks, marinas, and residential communities from Chula Vista to North County.
The providers below are ranked on merit, but the final check is yours. Work through these four steps before you sign anything in San Diego:
Private security in California is licensed at the state level by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), Department of Consumer Affairs. A legitimate company operating in San Diego holds a Private Patrol Operator (PPO) license, which means it has cleared California BSIS's ownership, background-check and insurance requirements. Ask for that license number in writing and verify it yourself — a certificate on the wall tells you nothing about current standing, since a license can be suspended or revoked.
Hiring an unlicensed company is a risk you carry. In California, operating without a license is misdemeanor (Cal. Business & Professions Code §7582.3). Operating as an unlicensed private patrol operator (or knowingly engaging a non-exempt unlicensed one) is a misdemeanor punishable by a $5,000 fine, up to one year in county jail, or both; falsely holding oneself out as licensed (badge, ID/business card, letterhead, or advertising) is a separate misdemeanor with a fine up to $10,000, and a conviction bars BSIS licensure for one year (five years on a second offense).
San Diego scores 70/100 on our Crime Index (grade C), which makes it safer than 45% of the 759 US cities we track. The index is built from FBI Crime Data Explorer reports for a population of 1,409,432.
Crime Index
Crime rates describe a city, not a specific address — the right level of coverage depends on your block, your hours and what you're protecting. Use the neighborhood breakdown to see how San Diego varies internally before you scope a contract.
See the full San Diego Crime Index and neighborhood breakdown