Private Security Contracts: What Your Principal Should Expect - and What You Should Check

When arranging private security for a principal, most family offices and PAs assume that a signed contract equals peace of mind. But in practice, many private security contracts fall short of the standards a high-net-worth client should expect.

Clauses are vague. Training is assumed. Accountability is left open to interpretation.And when something does go wrong, that lack of precision becomes a problem.

At VIS Protection, we’ve reviewed countless contracts written by agencies that simply don’t operate at the level expected by UHNWIs and their advisers. Below, VIS Founder Paul shares what a well-structured private security contract should include - and how to verify the people behind it.

The Purpose of a Private Security Contract

A contract isn’t just paperwork. It’s the framework that governs accountability, discretion, and the professional standard you’re buying into.

For a principal, it defines:

• Scope: What’s being protected — the individual, their family, or their residence.

• Responsibility: Who holds operational control and where the liability sits.

• Continuity: How protection is delivered day to day, even when circumstances change.

A strong contract ensures that both the principal and their protection team understand expectations from the outset. It also acts as a safeguard against poor practice — the difference between “having security” and actually being secure.

Common Gaps in Private Security Agreements

Even high-value clients can be left exposed by contracts that look legitimate but lack critical detail. Common pitfalls include:

• Vague service descriptions. Terms like “bodyguarding” or “close protection support” without clear operational parameters.

• No reference to vetting. Missing mention of SIA or PSA licensing, background checks, or insurance.

• Weak confidentiality clauses. Overlooked data handling or NDAs that don’t cover digital privacy.

• Unclear liability. No provision for indemnity or responsibility if an incident occurs.

• Open-ended hours or coverage. Ambiguity that allows for lapses in protection during key transitions or travel.

  
  

These issues aren’t theoretical — they appear frequently in the field. A contract can look professional yet omit the very elements that protect the principal if a breach or incident occurs.

If you haven’t already, it’s worth reading our related article - Understanding PSA and SIA Licensing: What Clients in Ireland Should Know. Licensing gaps often begin here — and contracts that fail to clarify them are the first warning sign.

What Your Principal Should Expect: The Non-Negotiables

Below is a concise checklist every PA, EA, or family office manager should work from before a principal signs any private security contract.

1. Verified Licensing

Ensure every operative listed holds valid SIA Close Protection licensing in the UK, and PSA licensing when operating in Ireland. These are legal requirements — not formalities.

2. Insurance and Liability

Confirm both public liability and professional indemnity insurance are in place and specified in writing. Reputable providers share this openly.

3. Defined Scope

Contracts should clearly state who is protected, across which locations, and for what duration. A typical clause will include travel coverage, residential security coordination, and rapid response.

4. Training and Background

Insist on written proof of training and background. VIS, for example, only deploys operatives with ex-military or police experience and accredited Close Protection certification.

5. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Discretion must be contractual, not assumed. Look for strict confidentiality terms covering photography, communications, and digital data handling.

6. Operational Structure

There should be a single point of contact — usually a team leader or operations manager — responsible for updates, debriefs, and issue escalation.

7. Termination and Flexibility

High-net-worth clients’ schedules change quickly. Ensure the contract allows termination or adaptation without punitive costs or notice barriers.

These may seem like administrative details, but each represents a layer of accountability that separates professional Close Protection from general security services.

The VIS Approach: Contracts Built on Accountability

VIS Protection’s contracts are designed to reflect operational discipline and transparency from the first briefing to the final deployment.

Every agreement begins with a risk and lifestyle assessment, ensuring the protection plan fits the principal’s environment and schedule. From there, all documentation outlines:

• Full licensing and insurance details for each operative.

• Operational responsibilities, communication structure, and reporting lines.

• Confidentiality, data management, and escalation protocols.

  
  

In the UK, all of our operatives hold an SIA Close Protection licence. In Ireland, operatives hold the appropriate PSA licence to work legally. Because the PSA does not issue a specific Close Protection licence, VIS additionally verifies that every Ireland-based operative has completed a reputable Close Protection course, either through the SIA or an equivalent programme we’ve assessed as comprehensive. This is how we maintain the same professional standard for principals in London, Dublin, and when travelling between – something few firms maintain.

Our background as a veteran-led organisation informs everything: clarity, preparation, and accountability. We don’t hide behind fine print; we define expectations upfront so principals and their teams know exactly what’s being delivered.

Related Article: Protective Surveillance: Security Without the ‘Bodyguard Presence’ 

Due Diligence Checklist for PAs and Family Offices

Before signing a private security contract, confirm that your provider:

✔️ Holds valid SIA and PSA licences for all active operatives

✔️ Provides insurance certificates upon request

✔️ Can demonstrate documented Close Protection training

✔️ Includes confidentiality and data protection clauses

✔️ Offers references or case studies from relevant assignments

✔️ Conducts advance reconnaissance and risk assessments

✔️ Defines handover and termination processes clearly

This checklist isn’t just about compliance — it’s about maintaining control over the quality of protection surrounding your principal.

Why VIS Protection Sets a Higher Standard

Many clients come to VIS after discovering their previous provider wasn’t as transparent as expected. We remove that uncertainty through documentation, vetting, and clear communication.

• Every contract is reviewed by both our operations director and legal adviser before deployment.

• Our operatives are ex-military or police, trained in high-risk and diplomatic environments.

• We treat contracts as part of the protection strategy — not an afterthought.

  
  

This combination of operational precision and legal clarity ensures that when VIS takes responsibility, your principal is genuinely protected — on paper and in practice.

Final Thought from Paul

Security isn’t just about visibility or presence. It’s about precision — and the unseen structures that make professionalism possible.

A well-written contract protects both the principal and the people safeguarding them. It provides clarity, accountability, and the reassurance that every operative has been properly trained, licensed, and prepared for the task.

Contact VIS Protection

If you’re sourcing protection for a principal and want assurance that every detail will be handled correctly, get in touch with us. 

Our team combine operational experience with transparent, accountable practices — trusted by principals and family offices across the UK and Ireland.

FAQs

1) What should a professional private security contract include?Verified SIA/PSA licensing, explicit public liability and professional indemnity insurance, a clearly defined scope (who/where/when), proof of training/background, strict confidentiality & data handling, an operational structure (single point of contact), and fair termination/flexibility terms.

2) Do Close Protection operatives need an SIA or PSA licence?Yes. In the UK, CPOs must hold an SIA Close Protection licence. In Ireland, operatives must hold the appropriate PSA licence to work legally; because PSA doesn’t issue a specific CP licence, ensure providers evidence reputable CP training to the same standard.

3) Which insurances should be named in the contract?At minimum: public liability and professional indemnity. These should be specified in writing and available as certificates on request.

4) How can a PA or family office verify a security provider beyond the contract?Request licences, insurance certificates, documented CP training, and relevant references/case studies; confirm advance reconnaissance and risk assessments are conducted; and ensure handover/termination processes are clearly defined.