Security guards
A human presence at reception, at entrances or inside the premises, checking entry and applying your instructions. The assignment is set out in an instructions file given to the guards.
Business services
Security and guarding: guards, remote monitoring and CCTV
Security guards, guarding of sites and construction sites, remote monitoring, alarms, CCTV and access control: describe your need and compare quotes from suppliers.
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Protecting premises, a construction site, a warehouse, a shop or an event involves two families of services. The first is manned: security guards, site guarding, patrols, dog handlers, event security. The second is technical: remote monitoring, intruder alarms, CCTV and access control. The two are often combined, for example an alarm linked to a monitoring centre that triggers a response.
Private security is a regulated activity. In France it is governed by Book VI of the Internal Security Code (code de la sécurité intérieure) and overseen by the CNAPS (the national private security regulator), which issues operating authorisations to companies and professional cards to guards. Meaflow checks the SIRET number of registered companies, but does not verify these authorisations: it is up to you to ask the supplier for them before signing.
This page helps you write a clear request: services, equipment, price factors, obligations relating to CCTV and the checks to make on the supplier. For an event, see also events; for access and closures, joinery and closures; for camera networks, IT and networks.
Common services
Guarding of sites and construction sites
Surveillance of an empty or active site, particularly at night or during closure, to prevent theft, damage and intrusion. Patrols and alert procedures are defined in advance.
Patrols and alarm response
Scheduled visits or verification visits after an alarm is triggered, with a written report. This service suits sites with no permanent presence.
Dog handlers
Guards accompanied by a dog for patrolling large sites or sensitive areas. This service requires an authorised supplier and trained teams.
Event security
Access screening, crowd flow management, a deterrent presence and coordination with the organiser for trade shows, parties, seminars or events. The set-up is sized to the expected audience and the venue.
Remote monitoring and intruder alarms
Detectors, sirens and transmission of alarms to a centre that analyses the alert and informs the people concerned. The contract specifies the procedure for each type of event.
CCTV
Layout study, installation of cameras, recorders and image storage, with information given to the people filmed. Compliance with regulations is part of the service to ask for.
Access control
Badges, keypads, readers or biometric devices to manage who enters where and at what time. Rights are easy to change when staff join or leave.
Equipment and technologies
Intruder detectors, door contacts and sirensAlarm panels and transmitters to a remote monitoring centreFixed or mobile cameras, recorders and image storageBadge readers, keypads and access rights managementGates, barriers and turnstilesDigital patrol tracking systems to log guards’ roundsCommunication tools: radios, phones, alert appsSecurity lighting and perimeter detectionAutonomous CCTV trailers and towers for construction sites
Typical situations
- Construction site to protect against theft of materials and plant
- Warehouse or industrial site to monitor outside working hours
- Shop or shopping centre to secure
- Trade show, seminar or company party requiring access screening
- Office premises to equip with badge access control
- Empty site, or one awaiting works, to protect against squatting
- Co-ownership building or residence run by a managing agent, needing patrols
- Public venue needing a surveillance arrangement
What affects the price
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1
Duration and hours covered
Continuous presence, at night or at weekends, requires more guards than a patrol or a simple verification visit. The hours and days of presence are the biggest item in the quote.
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2
Number of guards and qualification
The set-up depends on the floor area, the number of entrances and the risks. Some assignments call for specific skills, such as a dog handler.
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3
Size and layout of the site
The extent of the grounds, the number of entrances, fences, isolated areas or poor lighting all change the resources to be deployed.
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4
Equipment installed or rented
Cameras, alarms and access control can be bought or rented, with or without a remote monitoring subscription. The difference shows over the length of the contract.
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5
Level of response expected
A simple alert, an on-site verification or a response by a guard are not the same service, nor the same cost.
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6
Length of commitment
A short assignment, such as an event, is not priced like an annual contract. State the dates and whether the assignment is renewable.
Tips for a successful request
Post a request- Describe the site: type of premises, floor area, number of entrances, fences, lighting, neighbours, and what you want to protect.
- State the risks you have observed: theft, intrusion, damage, anti-social behaviour, unauthorised access, or simply prevention.
- Indicate the hours of presence you want, the days concerned and the length of the assignment, one-off or regular.
- Detail the tasks expected: screening of entrants, patrols, reception, badge checks, alarm verification, report writing.
- Mention what already exists: alarm, cameras, access control, and whether you want to keep or replace them.
- State who should receive alerts and reports, and which emergency procedures already exist.
A regulated sector: CNAPS, authorisations and professional cards
Private security activities, such as manned surveillance, guarding, remote monitoring or cash transport, are governed in France by Book VI of the Internal Security Code (code de la sécurité intérieure). The CNAPS (Conseil national des activités privées de sécurité, the national private security regulator) oversees them. In practice, two levels need to be checked:
- The company: it must generally hold an operating authorisation for the activities it offers.
- The guards: they must in principle hold a valid professional card matching their activity.
Ask for these documents before signing and check that they cover the service requested. Also ask for the professional liability insurance certificate. Meaflow checks companies’ SIRET numbers, but not their authorisations, professional cards or insurance: these checks are your responsibility. Depending on the activity, the rules may vary; ask the supplier and the competent authorities.
CCTV: information, GDPR and authorisation
Installing cameras is not trivial. The people filmed must be informed by a clear, visible notice at the entrance to the area, and the images fall under the GDPR as soon as they make it possible to identify someone. Think about how long images are kept, limiting who is authorised to view them, and informing employees and their representatives when workstations are filmed.
Where cameras film places open to the public (shops, reception areas, some car parks), a prefectural authorisation is generally required in France. For premises not open to the public, other rules apply. Ask the supplier to explain the formalities and what they handle. Cameras must also be positioned proportionately, without needlessly filming the public highway or neighbouring private spaces.
Installations often rely on an IT network: plan coordination with your IT and networks supplier, and the power supply with a building electrician.
Choosing your supplier and defining the assignment
Compare quotes on identical bases: same site, same hours, same tasks. A good offer specifies the number of guards, their hours, the frequency of patrols, the means of communication and how information is reported back.
| Criterion | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Legality | Operating authorisation, guards’ professional cards, insurance |
| Assignment | Written instructions, precise tasks, what is out of scope |
| Team | Guards dedicated to the site, training, cover in case of absence |
| Traceability | Incident logs, patrol reports, incident reports |
| Response | Alert procedure, people notified, response in case of alarm |
| Contract | Term, notice period, conditions for changing hours |
Write clear site instructions and give them to the guards. For event security, allow time for a briefing with the organiser; for a construction site, coordination with the site manager. Our specification generator can help you formalise your requirements.
Related expertise
Fire safety
Extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke extraction, emergency lighting, training
Events & catering
Seminars, trade shows and stands, catering, equipment hire, sound systems
IT & networks
IT maintenance, network cabling, Wi-Fi, telephony, workstations and servers
Joinery & closures
Doors, windows, shutters, gates, roller shutters
Frequently asked questions
A question not answered here? Visit the help centre or write to us.
What is the difference between guarding and remote monitoring?
Guarding relies on the physical presence of guards on the site, at a fixed post or on patrol. Remote monitoring relies on equipment (alarms, cameras) linked to a centre that analyses alerts and triggers a response. The two complement each other: technology detects, people respond. The choice depends on the site, the risks and your budget.
What should I check before hiring a private security company?
Ask for its operating authorisation issued under the CNAPS framework (France), its guards’ professional cards and its professional liability insurance certificate. Check that they match the service requested. Also ask for references and how instructions and reports are handled.
Do CCTV cameras have to be declared?
It depends on what the cameras film. For places open to the public, a prefectural authorisation is generally required in France. In all cases, people must be informed and the images processed in line with the GDPR. Ask the supplier which formalities they handle and check the rules specific to your situation.
Can I use guards for a one-off event?
Yes, event security is a common service: access screening, crowd flow management, a deterrent presence. Describe the venue, the dates, the expected audience and any special needs (bag searches, accreditation). The set-up also depends on the requirements of the authority or the venue manager, to be checked in advance.
Does Meaflow check security companies’ authorisations?
Meaflow checks the SIRET number of registered companies, but does not verify their operating authorisations, professional cards, insurance or qualifications. Ask the supplier for these documents directly before signing. Posting a request and being put in touch are free of charge and commission-free.
Monitored alarm or permanent guarding: which should I choose?
Permanent guarding suits high-risk or busy sites. A monitored alarm with on-site verification is often enough for a site that is closed outside opening hours. The two can be combined. Describe your risks in the request and ask suppliers to propose several options to compare.
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