August 2026
How to Choose a Security Company That You Can Actually Rely On
A practical guide for property managers, business owners, and event organizers who need straight answers before signing a security contract.
Start with licensing, not the pitch
Every legitimate security company operating in Ontario must hold a valid licence under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act. Ask for the licence number before any other conversation. A company that hesitates or deflects on this point isn't worth your time. Once you have the number, verify it directly with the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Guards themselves must also hold individual licences — ask whether all deployed staff are individually licensed and what the company's process is if a licensed guard isn't available for a shift.
Ask what they carry
Insurance and WSIB coverage are non-negotiable. You want a security company that carries a minimum of $2 million in general liability insurance and is in good standing with WSIB. If an incident happens on your site and the company isn't properly insured, the exposure lands on you. Get confirmation of both in writing before any contract is signed. Reputable companies provide this without being asked twice.
Look at how they present on site
A security guard's visible professionalism is part of what they're providing. Presentation — uniform standards, communication style, posture on site — signals to visitors, staff, and potential threats whether a location is controlled or not. Ask the company how they select and vet guards. Background checks and probationary periods are standard at serious firms. If the answer is vague, that's informative.
Find out how they report
After a shift, you should know what happened. Incidents, patrol activity, access events, and anomalies should be documented clearly and provided to you in a format you can actually use. Ask whether the company uses digital incident reporting, guard tour systems, and client portals. Ask who you call if something goes wrong at 2am. If there's no clear answer to that last question, keep looking.
Check for body-worn cameras
Body-worn cameras protect everyone — your property, your staff, and the guards themselves. Footage provides accountability and clean documentation in the event of a dispute or incident. Not every company provides this. HFH Security Services issues body-worn cameras to all guards based on location, with footage accessible to clients.
Ask about coverage continuity
What happens when a guard calls in sick? Does the company have depth to fill the post, or does your site go uncovered? A security company without reliable coverage continuity isn't a security company — it's a scheduling problem. Ask directly how gaps are handled and what the guaranteed response time is.
The bottom line
Licensed, insured, professionally presented, clearly reporting, and able to stay covered — those are the baseline requirements. Beyond that, look for a company where the owner sets the standard personally. That level of accountability is rare and worth paying for. HFH Security Services has never lost a client. That's not a marketing line — it's the outcome of holding every contract to the same standard from day one.
Licensed security guard services across Ontario.
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