Top 9 Security Guard Companies in Sherman Oaks

Introduction

Sherman Oaks sits at a busy crossroads of Los Angeles life. Ventura Boulevard draws shoppers and commuters every day, while quiet residential streets branch off in every direction, and that mix creates real security challenges for local businesses and residents alike.

More property managers, retail owners, event organisers, and homeowners’ associations now turn to professional security guard companies to keep their spaces safe. Hiring the right team means fewer incidents and real peace of mind. This guide covers the top 9 security guard companies in Sherman Oaks, so you can compare options and find a provider that fits, whether you need armed guards for a high-value property or unarmed guards for a friendly retail presence.

Why Businesses in Sherman Oaks Need Professional Security

Crime doesn’t take a day off, and neither should your security plan. Sherman Oaks businesses face everyday risks like theft, vandalism, and trespassing, especially around busy shopping centres and parking structures. A visible security presence discourages trouble before it starts.

Commercial security matters most for office buildings, retail stores, and shopping plazas with heavy foot traffic. Trained officers manage entrances and respond quickly when something goes wrong, and retail security in particular helps store owners cut down on shoplifting and other loss prevention problems.

Residential protection matters just as much. Apartment complexes, gated communities, and HOAs rely on patrol services and access control to keep residents safe, often paired with mobile patrol for cost-effective, round-the-clock coverage.

Construction sites attract thieves after hours because of the expensive equipment left on-site. Construction security and fire watch security officers protect these sites and help contractors meet local fire code requirements when alarm systems are down.

Event organisers need trained event security teams to manage crowds and handle emergencies at festivals and private gatherings, while offices increasingly want office security that blends a professional front-desk presence with modern surveillance.

One key decision every business faces is choosing between armed guards and unarmed guards. Armed guards suit high-risk locations like banks and dispensaries. Unarmed guards work well for retail stores, offices, and residential communities that need a visible, approachable presence.

How We Selected These Companies

We built this list of Security Guard Companies in Sherman Oaks using criteria that matter to businesses and residents:

• Experience – years operating in Southern California
• Reputation – what clients and public reviews say
• Licensing – proper California BSIS licensing
• Training – depth of officer training beyond the basics
• Service quality – consistency and professionalism on the job
• Customer reviews – real feedback from past clients
• Response time – how fast a company can deploy or react
• Service coverage – whether it truly serves Sherman Oaks and the San Fernando Valley

Every company on this list meets these standards in some form, though each brings its own strengths to the table.

Top 9 Security Guard Companies in Sherman Oaks

1. Security Base Group

Security Base Group is a California-based security guard company in Sherman Oaks and the greater Los Angeles area. It provides both armed guards and unarmed guards, along with mobile patrol, event security, and fire watch security.

The company works across many industries, including commercial properties, apartment buildings, HOAs, construction sites, and retail stores throughout Sherman Oaks. It also offers executive protection for clients who need close, personal security coverage, plus residential security for single-family homes.

What sets Security Base Group apart is its focus on customised security plans. Rather than a one-size-fits-all package, the company builds each plan around the property, the industry, and the specific risks involved. Officers train for real-world situations, from conflict de-escalation to emergency response.

Businesses choose Security Base Group for its combination of licensed, trained officers and responsive customer service. The company says clients can reach management directly, even after hours, which matters when an urgent issue comes up overnight. For apartment security and HOA security, that kind of accessibility builds real trust with residents and property managers.

Combined with its commercial and event security offerings, Security Base Group positions itself as a full-service option for Sherman Oaks properties that need more than one type of coverage under a single, customised plan.

2. Allied Universal

Allied Universal is one of the largest security services companies in North America, formed through a 2016 merger and now serving clients nationwide. The company operates several offices around Los Angeles, including one in nearby Woodland Hills.

Allied Universal offers armed guards, unarmed guards, commercial security, and dedicated event security teams, backed by technology like video monitoring and data-driven patrol tools. It serves corporate offices, government buildings, and large public venues, with the resources to staff big events and long-term contracts across multiple sites.

Businesses choose Allied Universal for its national resources and standardised training, though smaller Sherman Oaks businesses may prefer a more local, hands-on provider.

3. Securitas USA

Securitas USA is part of Securitas AB, a global security company with a long industry history. The company keeps offices in Los Angeles and serves clients throughout Southern California, including Sherman Oaks.

Securitas USA organises its services around on-site guarding, mobile patrol, remote guarding, electronic security, and fire and safety solutions, serving commercial properties, corporate campuses, and institutional clients that need both physical security and integrated technology, along with construction security for larger projects.

Businesses often choose Securitas USA for its blend of traditional guard services and remote monitoring technology, which appeals to property managers who want strong surveillance paired with rapid response.

4. Universal Protection Service

Universal Protection Service built a reputation as a major Southern California security provider before merging with AlliedBarton Security Services in 2016 to form Allied Universal. The name still appears in some local directories, though the company now operates under the Allied Universal brand.

Historically, it offered unarmed guards, armed guards, and commercial security for offices, retail centres, and industrial properties across the San Fernando Valley. That legacy now lives on within Allied Universal’s broader operations, including mobile patrol and event security.

If this name comes up while researching Security Guard Companies in Sherman Oaks, know that you’re really looking at Allied Universal’s current services under a familiar former name.

5. American Global Security

American Global Security (AGS) is a Los Angeles-based security guard company serving Southern California, including the San Fernando Valley. The company is owned and operated by people with law enforcement backgrounds.

AGS provides armed guards and unarmed guards for commercial buildings, retail stores, industrial sites, and residential communities, plus fire watch security, patrol services, and executive protection. Officers train in CPR, first aid, and threat assessment on top of standard BSIS guard requirements, and the company works with medical facilities, warehouses, and event venues.

Businesses choose American Global Security for its flexibility across residential and commercial properties and its around-the-clock availability.

6. Citiguard Inc.

Citiguard is a Los Angeles-area security guard company with an office in Woodland Hills, close to Sherman Oaks. The company has built a long track record serving apartments, HOAs, construction sites, and commercial properties across California.

Citiguard offers armed guards and unarmed guards, along with fire watch security and mobile patrol using foot, vehicle, and golf cart options depending on the property. It also handles event security and works with high-rise buildings, hotels, and medical centres, emphasising ongoing officer training and custom security plans.

Businesses and residential communities choose Citiguard for its local presence, especially for apartment and HOA security in the Sherman Oaks area.

7. Inter-Con Security

Inter-Con Security is a Pasadena-based company with decades of experience and a large footprint across North America, South America, and Africa. Government agencies and large corporations make up a significant part of its client base.

The company offers armed guards, unarmed guards, mobile patrol, and executive protection, along with K9 security and emergency response services, serving industries including healthcare, government, aviation, and residential/HOA properties.

Institutions choose Inter-Con Security when they need a provider with international reach and government experience. Sherman Oaks organisations with complex security needs may find its resources especially useful.

8. Steadfast Security

Steadfast Security is an Anaheim-based company that focuses heavily on property management clients across Greater Los Angeles and San Diego. Shopping centres, business parks, industrial complexes, gated communities, and office buildings make up its core client base.

The company emphasises unarmed guard services combined with GPS-enabled mobile patrol and detailed digital reporting, logging maintenance issues and security incidents in real time so property managers get useful data beyond basic patrol coverage.

Property managers near Sherman Oaks who want a security partner that understands day-to-day property needs may find Steadfast Security’s specialised approach appealing.

9. Gavin de Becker & Associates

Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) takes a different approach from most companies on this list. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in the Los Angeles area, GDBA specialises in executive protection and threat assessment rather than general guard services.

The company protects public figures, corporate executives, and high-net-worth families, drawing on a team that includes former government and law enforcement professionals, with services covering protective security, threat assessment, estate security, and event security for high-profile gatherings.

Businesses and individuals choose GDBA when they need executive protection or in-depth threat assessment rather than everyday commercial security, making it more of a speciality option for most Sherman Oaks businesses.

Comparison Table

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at what each company offers, so you can compare services at a glance.

Company	Armed Guards	Unarmed Guards	Event Security	Mobile Patrol	Commercial Security	Residential Security
Security Base Group	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Allied Universal	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Securitas USA	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
Universal Protection Service*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Limited
American Global Security	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Citiguard Inc.	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inter-Con Security	Yes	Yes	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes
Steadfast Security	Limited	Yes	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gavin de Becker & Associates	Yes	Limited	Yes	Limited	Yes	Yes

(Now operates under the Allied Universal brand. “Limited” means the service is available in some cases but isn’t a core focus of the company.)

What to Look for When Hiring a Security Company

Not all security companies offer the same level of service. Here’s what to check before you sign a contract:

• Licensing (BSIS) – Confirm valid California BSIS licenses for the company and its officers.
• Insurance – Ask for proof of liability insurance to protect your property.
• Officer training – Look beyond guard card basics for ongoing de-escalation and emergency response training.
• Industry experience – Match the provider’s background to your property type.
• Communication – Choose a company that answers quickly and stays responsive after signing.
• Reporting systems – Ask how officers document incidents, ideally with time-stamped digital reports.
• Availability – Confirm staffing for your needed hours, including nights and weekends.
• Customer support – A dedicated point of contact makes adjusting coverage easier.
• Technology – Ask whether GPS tracking or surveillance integration supports the guards.
• Local knowledge – Familiarity with Sherman Oaks helps a company spot local risks faster.

Why Security Base Group Is a Strong Choice in Sherman Oaks

Security Base Group stands out on this list because of how it approaches each client’s security plan. Instead of a generic package, the company builds customised security plans around the specific property, industry, and risk level involved.

Officers train beyond the basic BSIS requirements, preparing them to handle real situations like conflict de-escalation and emergency response. That training shows up in how officers handle day-to-day incidents, not just how they look on paper.

Security Base Group also emphasises fast response and direct communication with clients. Property managers, HOA boards, and business owners can reach the company when something comes up, rather than waiting on a call centre, which matters most during an actual emergency.

Combined with a range of services, from armed guards and unarmed guards to event security, mobile patrol, and executive protection, Security Base Group gives Sherman Oaks property owners a single point of contact for multiple security needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much do security guard services cost in Sherman Oaks? 

Costs vary by guard type and risk level. In the Los Angeles area, unarmed guards typically run $25 to $40 per hour, while armed guards cost more due to added training and licensing. Ask each company for a custom quote.

2. Should I hire armed guards or unarmed guards? 

It depends on your risk level. Armed guards suit high-risk locations like banks or dispensaries. Unarmed guards work well for retail stores, offices, and residential communities where a visible presence is enough of a deterrent.

3. Do security companies provide event security? 

Yes, most companies on this list offer event security for concerts, festivals, and private parties, handling crowd management, credential checks, and emergency response.

4. Can I hire security for apartment complexes? 

Yes. Several companies here, including Security Base Group and Citiguard, specialise in apartment and HOA security, combining foot patrol, access control, and incident reporting.

5. How do I choose the best security company? 

Compare licensing, training, experience, and reviews. Ask how each company handles your specific property type, and confirm they carry proper insurance and BSIS licensing.

Conclusion

Choosing the right security provider comes down to matching your needs with a company’s strengths. Whether you manage a retail store, an apartment complex, or a construction site, the right guard service makes a real difference in how safe your property and people feel.

This list of the top 9 security guard companies in Sherman Oaks gives you a starting point for comparing options. Review each company’s licensing, training, and service offerings before deciding.

If you’re ready to move forward, Security Base Group offers customised security plans, trained officers, and responsive service for businesses and residents throughout Sherman Oaks. Reach out to Security Base Group today to talk through your security needs.