Private Security and Facilities Management Sector Expands as Workforce Training Takes Centre Stage

India’s private security and integrated facilities management sector is witnessing steady expansion, driven by rapid urbanisation, infrastructure growth, and increasing demand for professional risk management across corporate, industrial, and residential spaces. As cities expand and business operations become more complex, the role of organised security and support services has moved beyond basic guarding to include technology integration, skilled manpower deployment, and compliance-driven operations.

Within this evolving landscape, companies such as Guardians Security Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (GSSPL) are indicative of a broader shift in the industry-where employment generation, structured training, and operational discipline are becoming as important as physical security itself. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Hyderabad’s Hitech City, Guardians Group (GSS) operates across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and the NCR region, reflecting the geographical spread of organised private security services in India.

The India Prime Times editorial team recently met Vikas Kumar Sakhare, Managing Director of Guardians Security Solutions, and Avinash Sakhare, Chief Financial Officer of the company, to understand how private security firms are adapting to changing client expectations, regulatory frameworks, and workforce challenges. Our interaction highlighted how the sector is increasingly aligning itself with national employment and skilling priorities.

From Manpower Supply to Integrated Risk Management

Traditionally, the private security industry in India was largely manpower-driven, with limited emphasis on training, technology, or standardisation. Over the past decade, however, regulatory reforms such as the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA) and increased corporate scrutiny have pushed the industry towards professionalisation.

Guardians Security Solutions operates within this regulatory environment, holding PSARA licences across multiple states and ISO certifications related to quality management and occupational health and safety. Industry analysts note that compliance has become a differentiating factor, particularly for clients in sectors such as IT parks, manufacturing units, healthcare facilities, and gated communities.

During our discussion, Vikas Kumar Sakhare pointed out that client expectations have evolved significantly. “Security today is not just about physical presence. It’s about response time, training, accountability, and integration with technology,” he said. This shift mirrors a national trend where security firms are expected to function as risk management partners rather than outsourced manpower providers.

Workforce Development as a Core Industry Challenge

One of the most pressing issues in the private security sector is workforce readiness. Despite being a major employer-particularly for semi-skilled and entry-level workers-the industry has historically struggled with attrition, inconsistent training standards, and social perception challenges.

Guardians Group’s model places significant emphasis on structured training through its in-house training academy, which operates in line with PSARA guidelines. According to company data, a substantial portion of its workforce comes from economically weaker sections, reflecting the sector’s role as a major employment generator.

From an editorial standpoint, this aligns with broader employment patterns in India, where private services industries absorb large segments of the workforce transitioning from informal or rural backgrounds. The India Prime Times team observed that training at Guardians extends beyond basic guarding duties to include discipline, communication skills, emergency response, and technology usage.

Avinash Sakhare, who oversees financial and operational planning, highlighted the economic impact of such training initiatives. “When training improves, attrition reduces. That stability benefits both the employee and the client,” he noted. Labour economists agree that skill development within private services can significantly improve job retention and service quality.

Technology and the Modern Security Ecosystem

Another notable trend within the industry is the integration of technology into traditional security operations. Surveillance systems, guard monitoring solutions, centralised control rooms, and quick response teams (QRTs) are increasingly standard offerings for organised players.

Guardians Security Solutions has invested in technology-enabled monitoring and a 24/7 control room to oversee operations across client locations. Industry experts suggest that such systems not only enhance security outcomes but also improve transparency and accountability-key concerns for corporate clients.

The India Prime Times team observed that technology is also being used internally to track attendance, performance metrics, and incident reporting. This data-driven approach reflects how the private security sector is aligning itself with broader trends in enterprise risk management and facilities operations.

Integrated Facilities Management Gains Ground

Beyond security services, the demand for integrated facilities management (IFM)-which includes housekeeping, office support, pest control, engineering services, and pantry operations-has grown significantly. Organisations increasingly prefer single-service partners capable of managing multiple non-core functions efficiently.

Guardians’ expansion into IFM services mirrors this market shift. Analysts note that bundling services not only improves operational efficiency for clients but also creates more stable employment opportunities within service companies.

From our interaction, it became clear that diversification within IFM is not merely a growth strategy, but a response to client demand for reliability and continuity. “Clients want fewer vendors and clearer accountability,” Vikas Sakhare explained.

Financial Growth and Industry Sustainability

In an industry often characterised by thin margins and high competition, financial discipline plays a critical role. Guardians Group’s reported revenue growth over a relatively short period, achieved without external funding, reflects a cautious expansion strategy rooted in operational cash flow.

While financial figures alone do not define industry impact, experts note that sustainable growth without over-leveraging is particularly important in manpower-intensive sectors. CFO Avinash Sakhare emphasised that cost control, compliance, and workforce stability are essential for long-term viability.

Aligning with National Employment Goals

The private security and facilities management sector aligns closely with India’s broader employment and skilling objectives. By absorbing youth from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and providing structured training, such firms contribute to workforce formalisation-an area of ongoing policy focus.

Guardians Group’s participation in industry associations such as CAPSI, APSA, and regional security councils further reflects the sector’s movement toward collective standards and advocacy. Industry bodies play a crucial role in addressing challenges related to regulation, wages, and professional recognition.

A Sector in Transition

From the India Prime Times team’s interaction with the leadership at Guardians Security Solutions, a clear narrative emerged: the private security industry is no longer operating at the periphery of India’s service economy. Instead, it is becoming a structured, technology-enabled sector with direct implications for employment, urban safety, and business continuity.

For readers tracking India’s evolving service industries, the developments within the private security and facilities management space offer insight into how purpose-driven workforce models, regulatory compliance, and operational professionalism are reshaping an often underappreciated sector.

As urban India continues to grow and businesses demand higher standards of safety and support services, the trajectory of firms like Guardians Group reflects a larger industry transition-one that links security not just to protection, but to people, skills, and sustainable operations.