How To Pick The Right Security Company For Your Events

Posted on January 21st, 2026

Your event can have the best venue, proper food, and a playlist that slaps, but if the security is a mess, that’s what folks remember.

Picking a security company is not just about blokes on the door or a couple of cameras stuck up high. Get it right and it’s smooth as you like; get it wrong and it’s chaos with a side of complaints.

Pick someone who actually gets what you’re putting on, not a one-size-fits-all outfit turning up with the same plan they used last weekend.

Stick with us, and we’ll break down what separates a solid crew from a shiny brochure so you can choose with confidence and keep your night running like clockwork.

How To Pick The Right Security Company For Your Events

The type of event you’re running sets the tone for everything that follows, especially security. A small corporate do has a very different feel to a big gig, and the cover you need should match that.

At a business event, you’ll likely care more about access control, keeping the right people in the right spaces, and looking after any VIPs without making it look like you’ve hired a squad. For a concert or festival, the main challenge is often the crowd, numbers, energy, and the fact that one small issue can spread fast if it’s not handled sharply.

Different events bring different headaches. A charity night might need firm control at the doors and a calm presence inside so the mood stays classy. A public festival can call for proper crowd management, strong perimeter cover, and a plan for what happens if things kick off. Sporting events and political rallies often add extra layers, like restricted zones, media pressure, and higher risk around certain areas.

Before you ring anyone up, get clear on what you actually need. Start with the location, because the venue layout, entry points, and local area can change the whole approach. Think about attendance, since bigger numbers usually mean more staff and better coordination.

Once you’ve got the basics straight, you can judge companies on how well they respond, not just how nice their website looks.

Here’s what to look for when choosing a security company:

• Proof of the right licences and proper staff vetting

• Clear experience with your event type, not vague “we do it all” claims

• A solid plan that fits your venue and crowd size, plus calm answers to tough questions

• Straightforward communication, including who’s in charge on the day and how issues get reported

A decent firm will ask smart questions, not just quote a price and vanish. Pay attention to how they talk about risk and how they’d handle problems without turning your event into an airport queue. You’re after a team that can stay visible when needed, blend in when it suits, and act fast without making a scene. When the right people are in place, guests feel relaxed, staff feel backed up, and the whole event runs smoother, which is the goal.

What Great Event Security Looks Like and How to Spot It

Great event security is not loud, flashy, or full of tough talk. The best setups feel calm, organised, and almost boring, which is exactly the point. You should notice that people move through the space smoothly, guests feel relaxed, and problems get handled before they turn into proper drama. If you walk in and feel like everything’s under control, that’s already a good sign.

Start by looking at experience that actually matches your kind of event. A firm that mostly works quiet corporate nights might struggle at a packed music venue, and a team built for big crowds might feel heavy-handed at a charity dinner. Ask what they’ve done that’s genuinely similar, then listen for specifics. Solid providers can describe the venue, the crowd, and the tricky moments they dealt with without turning it into a hero story.

Next, check the boring bits, because they matter. Proper licensing and current training are not optional extras. If a company is vague about credentials, treat that as a warning, not a minor detail. The same goes for how they staff jobs. You want vetted people who know the basics, de-escalation, first response, and clear comms, plus the social skills to speak to guests like humans.

Here are three clues you’ve got great security on the day:

• Entry feels smooth, with access control that stays polite but firm

• Staff handle issues quietly, then the event carries on like nothing happened

• The team looks alert and coordinated, with clear leadership and quick updates

Reputation helps, but don’t stop at star ratings. Look for patterns in feedback, things like reliability, calm behaviour, and how the crew treats people under pressure. Ask for references if you can, and pay attention to how past clients describe the working relationship. A strong firm tends to be consistent, not perfect, but steady.

Finally, notice how they communicate before the event. Good providers ask the right questions about risk, timings, crowd flow, and any high-profile guests. They explain what they’ll do in plain English, they name who’s in charge on site, and they don’t vanish once the quote is sent. When a team plans well, stays sharp, and keeps the mood right, security becomes part of the event’s backbone, not the main attraction.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Book a Security Team

Before you book a security team, have a proper chat, not a quick call where everyone nods and hopes for the best. A decent provider should welcome questions, because good security is planned, not guessed. Your aim is simple: work out if they understand your event, your venue, and the people who’ll turn up, then see if their answers sound real or like something lifted off a sales page.

Start with experience, but push past the vague stuff. “We’ve done loads of events” means nowt unless they can name the type, scale, and the awkward bits they had to manage. Ask what they did, why they did it, and what they’d change next time. You’re not after a war story; you’re after proof they can think clearly when things get messy.

Then look at the nuts and bolts. A solid firm should talk you through licences, insurance, and how they pick and train staff, without getting twitchy. If they dodge those basics, that tells you plenty. Also pay attention to how they speak about guests. You want professionals who can be firm without being rude and calm without acting like a wet flannel.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Book a Security Team

• What events like ours have you covered, and what were the main risks you planned for?

• How will you build a plan for our venue, including entry points, exits, and busy areas?

• Who’s the on-site lead, and how will we communicate during the event if something changes?

• What insurance do you carry, and what exactly does it cover if there’s an incident?

After those, listen for how they handle detail. A good provider will ask about crowd numbers, timings, alcohol, VIPs, and any local issues around the venue. They should also be clear on staffing, who does what, where they’ll be placed, and how they’ll deal with issues without turning the place into a fortress. If they start waffling about fancy tech before they’ve covered basics like access flow and response plans, that’s a red flag dressed up as progress.

Finally, judge the vibe. If they’re organised in the planning stage, they’ll likely be organised on the day. Clear answers, sensible language, and a willingness to adapt beat big promises every time. When the right team is involved, you feel supported, your staff know who to go to, and guests barely notice the cover, which is exactly how it should be.

Make Sure Your Events Are Safe As They Can Be with Open Eyed Executive Services Ltd.

Good event security is not about stacking bodies at the door and hoping for the best. It’s about the right plan, the right people, and a setup that matches your venue, crowd, and vibe. When a team is properly briefed and well led, guests feel comfortable, staff know who to speak to, and small issues get handled before they become everyone’s problem. That’s the standard to aim for.

Ensure your events are safe and seamless; partner with Open Eyed Executive Services Ltd for expert event security solutions tailored to your needs, protecting guests and giving you peace of mind.

If you want a team that’s professional, discreet, and easy to work with, Open Eyed Executive Services Ltd provides Event and Venue Security, plus Property and Site Security and Specialist Protection Services when the brief calls for it.

In case you have any questions, please feel free to call us at +44 800 669 6043 or email us at [email protected].