General contractors, property managers and event planners across Nashville often need security on short notice. The best security guard companies in Nashville combine licensed officers, 24/7 supervision and services that match the site, whether that means a lobby post, a fire watch or overnight cameras on a job site.
Below are six companies with a Nashville presence, profiled in the same format. Each profile draws only on the company’s own website as of October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Local and national options both serve Nashville. Locally owned firms and global providers each staff posts across Middle Tennessee.
- Match the service to the site. Stationed officers, shared patrols, fire watch and camera trailers solve different problems.
- Verify licensing and insurance. Ask every company for its Tennessee contract security license and proof of coverage.
- Get quotes on the same scope. Identical posts, hours and duties make prices comparable.
How we chose these companies
Each company listed has a Nashville office or advertises Nashville coverage on its own site. We looked for licensed armed or unarmed officers, construction site coverage and at least one service beyond a standing guard post, such as patrol, fire watch or monitoring.
Every profile follows the same fields: overview, services, construction coverage and location. Ratings, reviews and prices change often, so confirm current details directly with each company.
Top security guard companies in Nashville
1. First Class Security
Overview: Locally owned since 2010, First Class Security protects more than 200 properties across Middle Tennessee, with live local dispatch 24/7.
Services: Unarmed and armed officers, event security, firewatch, shared patrol and solar-powered mobile surveillance units with live video monitoring.
Construction coverage: Dedicated construction site coverage, including equipment and material protection, access control and after-hours patrol.
Location: Headquartered in Brentwood, serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
2. Prosegur
Overview: A global security company with a Nashville office, combining local expertise with global capabilities.
Services: On-site security guards, 24/7 remote security monitoring and emergency security services for businesses.
Construction coverage: Lists construction sites and industrial facilities among the sectors it serves.
Location: Nashville office serving Tennessee, including Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
3. Allied Universal
Overview: Describes itself as North America’s leading security and facility services company, with officers stationed across Nashville.
Services: Unarmed security officers, routine and random patrols, mobile response and alarm or camera monitoring where assigned.
Construction coverage: Posts Nashville openings for construction site patrol officers.
Location: Nashville-based officers backed by a national office network.
4. Crowe Overwatch Security
Overview: The operating name of Overwatch TN Security Company, Inc., a Tennessee-headquartered firm.
Services: Armed and unarmed guards, police officers, traffic control, fire watch and event security.
Construction coverage: Secures construction sites alongside commercial buildings, warehouses, events and residential facilities.
Location: Nashville, serving Middle Tennessee.
5. Elite Security Professionals
Overview: A locally owned company licensed in Tennessee, staffing armed and unarmed officers and off-duty police officers.
Services: Security for commercial buildings, residential properties, special events and executive protection, plus traffic control.
Construction coverage: Includes construction sites among the properties it staffs.
Location: South Perimeter Park Drive in Nashville, serving the greater Nashville area.
6. Nashville Security Service
Overview: A Nashville firm offering security guard and patrol services across Tennessee, reachable 24 hours a day.
Services: Uniformed and plain-clothes armed and unarmed guards, fire watch and mobile patrol.
Construction coverage: Offers 24/7 and after-hours construction site security and says its team is OSHA-10 certified.
Location: Nashville, serving the State of Tennessee.
Questions to ask every company
A short list works best when every company answers the same questions in writing. Ask each one to confirm:
- Its Tennessee contract security license number and general liability coverage.
- Who answers dispatch after hours, and whether supervisors are local.
- How officers are screened, trained and oriented to your specific site.
- What happens if an officer misses a shift or a camera goes offline.
- Which charges sit outside the hourly rate, such as vehicles, equipment or monitoring.
For staffed coverage, compare hours per post multiplied by the number of posts and the quoted hourly rate. Ask for equipment, monitoring and installation costs as separate lines so quotes line up.
How to choose security for a construction site
Construction sites change week to week, so the coverage should too. Before requesting quotes, decide which hours the site sits empty, which entrances need control and how tools, copper and finish materials will be kept in secure on-site storage between shifts.
Match the model to the risk. A stationed officer controls access and keeps a log during set shifts. A shared patrol adds periodic checks at lower cost, while camera trailers detect activity and alert a monitoring team during unattended hours.
Plan fire watch early. Under OSHA 1926.352(e), personnel assigned to guard against fire during welding, cutting or heating must be instructed on the anticipated fire hazards and how to use the firefighting equipment provided. In Nashville, the Fire Marshal’s Office notes that most operational permits require an inspection, so confirm permit needs before work starts.
Pair guards with physical controls. Officers and cameras work best alongside lighting and locked gates. Write down who answers an overnight alert, who checks it and who can call for a patrol visit.
Final thoughts
Nashville has no shortage of licensed security firms, from locally owned operators to national providers. The right fit depends on the hours your site sits empty, the risks it carries and how fast someone responds to an alert.
Shortlist two or three companies, send each the same written scope and compare quotes line by line. Then walk the site with your top pick before the first unattended weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best security guard companies in Nashville?
Strong options include locally owned firms and national providers with Nashville offices, all offering licensed officers and construction coverage. The six companies above each list Nashville service on their own sites. The right choice depends on your site type, hours and whether you need patrol, fire watch or camera monitoring alongside guards.
Do I need armed or unarmed security guards?
Most commercial, residential and construction sites use unarmed officers. Armed coverage should follow a documented risk assessment of the site and a review of the provider’s licensing.
When does a construction site need a fire watch?
Fire watch is common during hot work such as welding or cutting, and when a fire alarm or sprinkler system is impaired. Confirm the requirement with the safety lead and the Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office.
How do I check that a security company is licensed in Tennessee?
Ask for the company’s Tennessee contract security license number, then confirm its status with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance before signing.
