By Steven McNally, CPP, PSP, PCI
Program Director, Security Management at American Military University
There are two key differences between government security and private security: budgetary funding sources and mission mandates.
As a student of security management, deciding on a career path will hinge on these differences. Is it your goal to work for the government to focus on national security risk? Or are your interests more aligned with the goals of private security for an organization?
Funding Sources
Government funding for security is provided by the U.S. taxpayer whereas budgets for the private sector are dependent on corporate revenue. Government security is “not for profit” and private security is “for profit.” Examples of government agencies include the Department of Homeland Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Department of the Air Force. A CIA employee may work alongside private contractors who make twice their salary but share the same clearances and work on the same projects. The private contractor they work with would be the first to go into a budget reduction. Moreover, there is a distinction that government security serves to meet the requirements of various department or agency missions, almost always related to national security, and private security services are focused on what best serves the company and the corporate bottom line.
[Interested in security? Learn more about your online degree options in security management at AMU.]
The Mission Differentiators
Related to differing mission mandates, government security is inherently based upon reduction of risk to national security whereas private security is based on ensuring the corporation remains viable and succeeds. In addition, government security is mandated and directed by law, (executive orders and regulation), while private security is guided by the need to protect physical, human, and informational assets that enable a corporation to earn revenue for continuing its operations. For example, informational asset protection would be vital with such private firms as Apple, Exxon, Proctor and Gamble, and Ford. Government security relies on and must abide by regulations written to accommodate government law. Private security policies and procedures are based on best practices that fit a company’s particular needs.
Although there are key differences between government and private security, these differences can merge to a large degree when private companies are contracted to provide services to the government either as direct service providers or as incidental to contracts for providing certain products to the government. There are situations when government and private security firms work together, such as large sporting events (the Olympics). Whether government or private security, both function to ensure the protection, support, and continuation of its organization.
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