Security Services in Lebanon: Guards, CCTV, and Residential Systems
AdvisorLB Team
Security companies in Lebanon are licensed and supervised by the Internal Security Forces (ISF). A legitimate company has a license number, uniformed guards with company ID, and a control room that takes calls 24/7. Many informal arrangements exist — they are cheaper but offer zero recourse if something goes wrong.
Service Tiers
- Manned guarding (8/12/24h shifts): $4-8/hour per guard depending on training, area, armed/unarmed.
- Mobile patrol: drive-by every 1-2h, $300-600/month per site.
- Alarm monitoring + response: $40-100/month, response unit dispatched on trigger.
- Event security: $200-500/guard for an evening with crowd-control training.
Home Systems
- CCTV: 4-8 IP cameras with NVR recording, $700-2,500 installed.
- Alarm: door/window contacts, motion sensors, glass-break, panic button — $500-1,500.
- Smart-home integration (Home Assistant, KNX): geofencing, scenes, voice — $1,500-5,000.
- Access control: keypad/fob/biometric for main door — $300-800.
What to Ask Providers
- ISF license number — verify it exists.
- Guard recruitment and background checks.
- Training certifications (firefighting, first aid, conflict de-escalation).
- Insurance for damages caused by guards.
- Control room location and audit logs.
Common Mistakes
- Hiring a single guard for 24/7 — impossible; you need 4 for genuine 24/7 coverage.
- Cameras with no remote viewing or no off-site backup — useless if NVR is stolen.
- No tested response protocol — alarm rings but no one comes.