The Czech Republic is the only EU state without a specialised law on private security services. This means that, in principle, anyone with a trade licence can operate a security agency. The result? The market is full of low-quality operators alongside genuine professionals.
How to tell them apart? Here are 8 questions you should ask every agency before signing the contract.
1. What liability insurance for damage do you hold?
This is the first and most important question. If a guard causes damage, whether through their own error or negligence, who pays for it?
- Serious agency: insurance coverage of 10-50 million Kč and above
- Micro-agency: 0.5-1 million Kč (insufficient even for a basic incident)
- No insurance: beware
Always request a copy of the insurance certificate.
2. How do you vet your employees?
Ask about a specific process:
- Extract from the criminal record register (should be standard)
- Work references from previous employers
- Medical fitness
- NBÚ vetting (for sensitive facilities)
If an agency says “we check them ourselves” without specifying a process, that is a red flag.
3. What does the SLA contract include?
SLA (Service Level Agreement) is a service level contract. Without it, you have no leverage.
What an SLA should include:
- Guaranteed response time, within how many minutes must the control room respond to an alarm?
- What happens if a guard fails to show up? Does our agency have a backup?
- Reporting, do you receive regular reports on incidents and patrols?
- Contractual penalties for non-compliance with conditions
If an agency does not offer an SLA contract, ask why.
4. How is communication handled during an incident?
In a crisis situation, you want to know:
- Do you have a direct line to the dispatch centre (not just to a salesperson)?
- How quickly will they contact you in the event of an incident, by SMS, telephone or email?
- Who is your personal contact (account manager)?
- Will you receive a written report after an incident?
An agency that is difficult to reach during the sales process will not be reachable for you in an incident either.
5. What technology do you use?
Modern security is more than just a guard with a torch. Ask about:
- Patrol monitoring system (NFC/GPS checkpoints)
- CCTV systems and recording
- Remote monitoring, who is watching and how?
- Mobile application for reporting
An agency without technological backing is one that relies solely on the integrity of each individual guard.
6. What references do you have and how long have you been on the market?
- How long has the company been in operation? (Not how long the founder’s trade licence has existed.)
- Do they have references from similar properties to yours?
- Are they willing to provide a reference client contact?
References are a basic hygiene standard. If an agency has none or refuses to share them, that is a problem.
7. What does the contract look like and what are the exit conditions?
Read before signing:
- What is the notice period? (Reputable agency: 1-3 months)
- What happens if service quality drops, do you have the right to withdraw?
- Are there hidden fees in the contract (for equipment, uniforms, transport)?
8. How do you handle training and development for guards?
Professional agency:
- Regular training (first aid, legal compliance, physical fitness)
- Specialised training for specific types of premises (retail vs. Industrial vs. VIP)
- Overview of current legislation
Average agency: “They hold a trade certificate and have no criminal record.
Summary: Checklist for selecting an agency
- Insurance cover min. 10 mil. Kč
- RT extract for all guards
- SLA contract with guarantees
- 24/7 control room with a direct line
- References from similar properties
- Transparent price list with no hidden charges
- Technological infrastructure (GPS, cameras, reporting)
- Clear exit conditions
Do you have questions? A non-binding consultation is free of charge. We will be happy to advise you on which type of security makes sense for your specific case, even if it ultimately turns out not to be ours.