After seven years of growing Solaren Risk Management from a two-person startup in a mall office to a 300+ employee security company, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the private security industry has transformed. Here are the key changes I’ve observed and what they mean for the future of professional security services.
The private security industry has undergone fundamental changes over the past decade that go far beyond new technology and equipment. Client expectations have evolved, regulatory requirements have increased, and the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Building Solaren from inception to regional leader has provided unique insight into how these changes affect companies at every stage of development.
My experience transitioning from Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to founding and growing a major security operation spans a period of unprecedented industry evolution. When Curtis Dodson and I started Solaren in 2017, the industry operated very differently than it does today. Understanding these changes helps explain both current challenges and future opportunities.
The most successful security companies will be those that recognize these evolutionary trends and adapt their operations accordingly. Companies that cling to outdated models will struggle while those that embrace change will create sustainable competitive advantages.
How Has the Industry Changed Since 2017?
When we founded Solaren Risk Management, the private security industry was still largely defined by traditional approaches that had changed little over several decades. Seven years of rapid growth has provided front-row seats to an industry transformation that continues accelerating.
Technology adoption was minimal in 2017, with most companies relying on basic radio communication, manual reporting systems, and paper-based documentation. Today, successful security operations require integrated platforms, mobile applications, and sophisticated communication systems just to remain competitive.
Client expectations have increased dramatically over this period. Customers now demand real-time updates, digital reporting capabilities, professional presentation, and measurable performance metrics that were rarely requested seven years ago.
As Bethany Gill, our Chief of Operations, describes our rapid expansion: “The company kind of skyrocketed as soon as it started. Jack has a lot of connections. He knows a lot of people, which is really invaluable when you’re starting a business. And so the inception of Solaren was super quick, and so we went from that small team and a small office in a mall to the office that we’re in now, with around 300-plus contractors that work for us throughout just Nashville, and that happened within the span of maybe two or three years.”
This growth occurred during a period when industry standards, client demands, and competitive pressures were all changing simultaneously. Companies had to evolve rapidly or risk being left behind by more adaptive competitors.
Professionalization has become essential rather than optional. Clients increasingly expect security providers to demonstrate professional credentials, systematic training programs, and business practices that meet corporate standards.
Regulatory compliance has become more complex as states have updated licensing requirements, training standards, and operational regulations to address new threats and public expectations.
What Drove These Changes in Client Expectations?
Client expectations have evolved faster than many security companies anticipated, creating opportunities for forward-thinking providers while challenging traditional business models. Understanding what drives these changes helps companies adapt their service offerings appropriately.
Corporate security awareness has increased following high-profile incidents that demonstrated the importance of professional security services. Clients now understand that security is a specialized field requiring trained professionals rather than just physical presence.
Liability concerns have made clients more selective about security providers, favoring companies with comprehensive insurance, professional training programs, and documented procedures that reduce legal exposure.
Budget accountability has increased as clients demand measurable results and clear value propositions from security investments. Companies must now demonstrate return on investment through performance metrics and documented outcomes.
Technology familiarity from other business sectors has created expectations that security providers should offer similar digital capabilities and professional presentation standards that clients experience elsewhere.
Competitive pressures in client industries have made security an important differentiator, leading to demand for services that enhance rather than merely protect business operations.
Risk management sophistication has grown as clients better understand threat assessment, vulnerability analysis, and comprehensive security planning that goes beyond basic guard services.
How Have Training Standards Evolved?
Training requirements and expectations have transformed dramatically since 2017, driven by both regulatory changes and market demands for higher professional standards. Investment in training has become a competitive differentiator rather than just a compliance requirement.
State minimum requirements have increased in most jurisdictions, but the real change has been in client expectations for training that exceeds these minimums. Companies that provide only state-required training now find themselves at competitive disadvantages.
Specialized certifications have become increasingly important as clients seek providers with expertise in specific areas like emergency medical response, active threat response, and technology operation.
Our commitment to advanced training and professional development has enabled us to attract better employees and command premium pricing from clients who value professional competence.
As Bethany Gill explains our training approach: “We hold in-person courses, regularly. Anytime we hire a bunch of people for unarmed, for example, we invite them all to come out to a class and we do that state regulated four hour training session for unarmed, which includes their Dallas law qualifications, which lets them work in bars, which is mandatory for bars in Nashville.”
Continuous education has become standard practice rather than occasional requirement. Officers now expect ongoing professional development opportunities, and clients expect providers to maintain current knowledge of industry developments.
Technology training has emerged as essential component of professional development as security operations increasingly rely on sophisticated equipment and software systems.
Leadership development has become important for career advancement as the industry has created more supervisory and management positions requiring specialized skills beyond basic security knowledge.
What Role Has Technology Played in Industry Evolution?
Technology adoption has accelerated rapidly across the security industry, transforming how companies operate and deliver services to clients. Companies that embraced technology early gained competitive advantages while those that resisted change struggled to keep pace.
Communication systems have evolved from basic radio networks to integrated mobile platforms that enable real-time coordination across multiple locations and time zones. As Bethany Gill notes: “We moved it over to a mobile-based platform that we use for our phone system. Everything that we use for our phone and communication and all that stuff is mobile based because all of our operations team is out in the field almost all the time.”
Documentation and reporting have transformed from paper-based systems to digital platforms that provide instant access to information and automated report generation. Clients now expect immediate incident notifications and comprehensive documentation that manual systems cannot provide efficiently.
Surveillance technology has advanced from basic cameras to AI-powered systems that provide intelligent analysis and automated alerting capabilities. Our partnership with LiveView Technologies demonstrates how these advances create new service opportunities.
Workforce management systems have revolutionized scheduling, training tracking, and performance monitoring. As Bethany Gill explains: “We have one platform that we use where we keep track of all the documents for our contractors, all of the time sheets, the schedules, everything all in one app. And so everything is accessible for every contractor that works with us.”
Our strategic integration of advanced technologies has enabled operational efficiencies and service enhancements that would have been impossible with traditional approaches.
However, technology must enhance rather than replace human judgment. As Bethany Gill observes: “A lot of people think that it takes away from the physical security aspect, but it really doesn’t. If anything, it supplements it. You still have to have somebody that audits what that AI is detecting.”
How Has the Competitive Landscape Changed?
The competitive environment has transformed significantly since 2017, with new entrants, changing client preferences, and evolving service models creating both opportunities and challenges. Understanding these competitive dynamics helps companies position themselves effectively.
Market consolidation has accelerated as larger companies acquire smaller competitors to gain market share and expand geographic coverage. This trend has created pressure on independent companies to either grow rapidly or risk being acquired or displaced.
Service specialization has become increasingly important as clients seek providers with expertise in specific industries or threat types rather than generic security services.
Pricing pressure has intensified as competition has increased, but clients have become more willing to pay premium prices for demonstrably superior service quality and professional competence.
New entrants with technology backgrounds have challenged traditional security companies by offering innovative service models that leverage automation and digital platforms.
Geographic expansion has become easier with modern communication and management systems, enabling companies to serve multiple markets without physical presence in each location.
Professional standards have become competitive differentiators as clients increasingly select providers based on training programs, certifications, and operational sophistication rather than just price.
What Challenges Have We Encountered During Growth?
Rapid growth presents operational challenges that test every aspect of company systems and procedures. Scaling from two founders to 300+ employees requires systematic approaches to management, training, and quality control.
Personnel management becomes exponentially more complex as organizations grow beyond direct supervision capabilities. Maintaining consistent standards across multiple locations and shifts requires robust systems and strong supervisory staff.
Quality control challenges increase with scale as direct oversight becomes impossible and companies must rely on systematic procedures and performance measurement to ensure service standards.
Training scalability requires systematic approaches that can accommodate rapid hiring while maintaining consistent standards across all personnel regardless of when or where they were trained.
As Bethany Gill notes about our promotion practices: “Nine times out of 10, it comes from people who have worked for us out in the field and have really done a good job. We’ve got plenty of people that we’ve pulled in from out in the field to become field operations coordinators, people who work in the office and supervise multiple people because they’ve just proven themselves out in the field.”
Promoting from within has helped maintain cultural consistency while providing career advancement opportunities that aid retention. However, this approach requires systematic identification and development of leadership candidates.
Client relationship management becomes more sophisticated as companies serve larger numbers of clients with varying needs and expectations across multiple markets.
Financial management complexity increases with scale as companies must balance growth investments with operational efficiency while maintaining cash flow for rapid expansion.
How Have We Maintained Quality During Rapid Expansion?
Maintaining service quality during rapid growth requires intentional systems and procedures that prevent dilution of standards as organizations scale. Quality maintenance becomes both more difficult and more important as companies grow.
Systematic hiring procedures ensure consistent evaluation of candidates regardless of location or hiring manager. Standardized interview processes, background checks, and qualification verification maintain personnel quality as hiring volume increases.
Comprehensive training programs provide consistent preparation for all personnel regardless of when or where they were hired. Our training coordinator brings active law enforcement experience that maintains professional standards across all programs.
Performance measurement systems enable objective evaluation of service quality and identification of areas needing improvement before problems affect client satisfaction.
Recognition programs acknowledge outstanding performance while reinforcing cultural values and professional standards. As Bethany Gill describes: “At the end of the year, we have a Christmas party, a company Christmas party that we do. If somebody based on those performance evaluations throughout the year has just done an exceptional job, they’ll get an award, which usually correlates with some kind of pay boost.”
Regular performance evaluations, both quarterly and annually, provide feedback for continuous improvement while identifying top performers for advancement opportunities.
Client feedback systems provide external validation of service quality and early warning of potential problems that require corrective action.
Supervisory development ensures that field management maintains appropriate oversight and support for operational personnel across all locations and contracts.
What Lessons Apply to Other Growing Security Companies?
Seven years of rapid growth have provided valuable lessons that apply to other security companies seeking sustainable expansion. These insights can help other companies avoid common pitfalls while capitalizing on growth opportunities.
Early technology investment pays long-term dividends by creating operational efficiencies and service capabilities that become competitive advantages. Companies that delay technology adoption find themselves at increasing disadvantages as client expectations evolve.
Professional culture development must begin early and be reinforced consistently as organizations grow. Cultural values established during early growth phases become increasingly difficult to change as companies scale.
Training investment should exceed minimum requirements from the beginning rather than trying to upgrade standards after growth has occurred. Professional competence becomes a competitive differentiator that justifies premium pricing and attracts better employees.
Financial planning must account for growth investments in systems, training, and personnel that may not produce immediate returns but are essential for sustainable expansion.
Partnership development with technology vendors, training providers, and other service companies can accelerate growth while reducing investment requirements for capabilities that can be obtained externally.
Quality control systems must be designed to scale from the beginning rather than being added after growth creates problems. Systematic approaches to performance measurement and client satisfaction prevent quality degradation during expansion.
What Does the Future Hold for Private Security?
Industry evolution will continue accelerating as technology advances, client needs change, and regulatory requirements adapt to emerging threats. Companies that anticipate and prepare for future changes will create sustainable competitive advantages.
Professionalization will continue increasing as clients demand higher standards and the industry develops more sophisticated training, certification, and operational requirements.
Technology integration will deepen as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and communication systems become more sophisticated and accessible to security companies of all sizes.
Specialization will become increasingly important as clients seek providers with specific expertise rather than generic security services. Companies that develop deep knowledge in particular industries or threat types will command premium pricing.
Regional expansion will become easier with improved communication and management systems, enabling successful companies to serve multiple markets efficiently.
Growing from a small startup to a regional leader has demonstrated that success requires balancing growth ambitions with operational excellence and professional standards.
Regulatory standardization may emerge as states develop more uniform requirements for training, licensing, and operational standards that facilitate interstate operations.
Public-private partnerships will expand as government agencies seek cost-effective approaches to public safety that leverage private sector capabilities and efficiency.
How Should Companies Prepare for Continued Evolution?
Preparation for continued industry evolution requires systematic approaches to capability development, strategic planning, and organizational adaptation. Companies that prepare proactively will be better positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Strategic planning processes should include scenario development for different evolutionary paths and preparation for multiple possible futures rather than assuming linear progression from current conditions.
Technology investment should focus on platforms that can adapt and integrate with future developments rather than standalone systems that may become obsolete quickly.
Personnel development programs should prepare employees for increasing professional demands and technological sophistication that will characterize future industry standards.
Financial planning must balance current operational needs with investment in capabilities that will be required for future competitiveness even if they don’t produce immediate returns.
Partnership strategies should identify potential collaborators and service providers that can enhance capabilities without requiring internal development of all competencies.
Market research should monitor client expectations, competitive developments, and regulatory changes that may affect future business requirements and opportunities.
My professional background and experience spanning both law enforcement and private security provides perspective on how industries evolve and what factors drive successful adaptation to changing conditions.
The private security industry will continue evolving as technology advances, client needs change, and professional standards increase. Companies that embrace this evolution while maintaining focus on professional excellence and client service will create sustainable competitive advantages in an dynamic marketplace.
Building Solaren from startup to regional leader during this period of rapid industry change has reinforced the importance of adaptability, professional standards, and systematic approaches to growth and quality management. The future belongs to companies that can evolve with their industry while preserving the core values that define professional security services.
Last updated: February 2025
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