Security Services in Lebanon: Guards, CCTV, and Residential Systems

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.