Securing a business in Geneva is no longer a secondary concern. Between the commercial density of Rue du Rhône, the industrial zones of Plan-les-Ouates and Meyrin-Satigny, and the rise of remote work leaving offices unoccupied, risk profiles have multiplied. This 2026 guide walks through the concrete steps to build an effective security setup that fits the Geneva reality and complies with Swiss law.
Why security deserves your attention in 2026
According to cantonal public statistics, burglaries of businesses and armed robberies primarily target three profiles: retail stores (jewellers, premium boutiques), isolated logistics sites (copper theft, IT equipment), and professional practices (sensitive data). Cybersecurity captures a lot of attention, but physical security remains the first line of defence: without access control, without visible deterrence, without detection, no amount of encryption will protect your physical assets.
A well-designed setup is not an expense — it is active insurance. Insurance companies actually reward professionally certified installations with reduced premiums, often 10 to 25%.
Step 1 — Carry out a professional security audit
Any effective setup starts with a rigorous assessment. A security audit performed by an experienced provider identifies:
- Entry points (doors, windows, loading bays, accessible rooftops, basements, technical shafts)
- High-risk hours (lone early openings, nighttime closing, lunch breaks, weekends)
- Traffic flows (visitors, couriers, staff, external service providers)
- Assets to protect (stock, equipment, data, people)
- Legal requirements (RS 120 — Federal Act on Private Security Companies, French-speaking cantonal concordats, Swiss FADP for video data)
The audit produces a written report with a risk map and prioritized recommendations. At Safe Guard Protection SA, this audit is free of charge for businesses in Geneva and Valais.
Step 2 — Deploy human surveillance
The presence of professional site surveillance officers remains the most effective deterrent. Three main configurations:
- Static post officer: reception and screening (front desk, lobby), parking access control, gatehouse. Ideal for publicly accessible sites.
- Regular patrols: randomized-schedule rounds, perimeter checks, anomaly detection. For industrial sites, warehouses, shopping centres outside opening hours.
- Event teams: exhibitions, conferences, trade shows. A setup sized to attendance and event type.
Indicative cost in Geneva: 35 to 55 CHF per hour depending on qualifications (basic patrol, screening, close protection). Every SGP service is covered by a professional liability insurance of 5 million CHF.
Step 3 — Install technical systems
Technical security systems are the essential complement to human presence. The pillars:
- Intrusion alarm system: volumetric detectors (passive infrared), opening contacts, panic buttons, indoor + outdoor sirens, 24/7 monitoring-station link
- Video protection: HD or 4K cameras, night vision, AI analytics (presence detection, abandoned-object detection), local + cloud recording, secure smartphone access
- Access control: RFID badges, biometric readers (fingerprint, iris), per-user schedules and permissions, audit trail of entries
- Fire detection: smoke/heat detectors linked to the monitoring station, compliant with Swiss VKF standards
- Perimeter protection for industrial sites: infrared beams, buried intrusion-detection cables, connected fencing
Step 4 — Set up 24/7 remote monitoring
An alarm that rings into the void is useless. 24/7 remote monitoring turns alarms into action:
- The detector triggers
- The signal reaches the SGP monitoring station in under 3 seconds
- The operator performs the verification (camera check, audio listening, on-site call)
- If intrusion is confirmed: a mobile officer intervenes within 20–30 minutes (Geneva area) + notification to the cantonal police when needed
- You receive a detailed report with timestamps and video evidence
The SGP monitoring station runs with at least two operators at all times, full technical redundancy, backup power, and a dedicated phone line. Compliant with the French-speaking cantonal concordat on private security companies.
Step 5 — Train your teams
The best technical setup fails without staff buy-in. Put in place:
- Written opening and closing procedures with double-check during the first days
- Alarm response protocol: who to call, who verifies, when to leave the premises
- Visitor management: visitor log (even informal), temporary badges, mandatory escort outside reception areas
- Incident reflexes: don’t confront an intruder, call 117, describe the situation as calmly as possible
- Ongoing training: annual refresher, procedure updates, evacuation drills
SGP offers training sessions (2–4 hours) tailored to your sector: retail, offices, industry, healthcare.
Step 6 — Review your setup every year
Security is never a settled matter. Plan an annual review:
- Change in activity or hours → readjust
- Growth or relocation → new audit
- Obsolete tech (analogue cameras, old wired alarms) → modernization
- Analysis of the year’s incidents (even minor) → targeted reinforcement
- GDPR / Swiss FADP updates for video recordings and access-control data
The Swiss legal framework you should know
Running private-security activities in Switzerland is strictly regulated. Key references:
- RS 120 — Federal Act on measures for the preservation of internal security: defines private security missions complementary to the state’s sovereign functions
- French-speaking cantonal concordat on security companies (CES): harmonizes operating conditions across Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel
- Cantonal licence: mandatory for any company operating in a given canton
- Mandatory officer training (theory + practical exam, clean criminal record)
- FADP/nFADP: lawful handling of video-protection footage (notice to data subjects, retention period, right of access)
Always confirm that your provider holds the cantonal licence for the relevant canton and is a signatory to the concordat. Safe Guard Protection SA holds the Geneva and Valais licences and is a signatory to the CES.
Quick checklist: is your setup up to date?
- ✅ Security audit carried out within the last 12 months
- ✅ Alarm system connected to a 24/7 monitoring station
- ✅ Video protection compliant with the FADP (signage, retention ≤ 30 days)
- ✅ Access control over sensitive zones
- ✅ Written procedures known to staff
- ✅ Emergency numbers displayed prominently
- ✅ Security provider contracts in order (licence, insurance)
- ✅ Annual test of the setup (alarm, video, evacuation)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a complete security setup cost for a Geneva SME?
For a typical SME of 10–30 staff on a single 300–500 m² site, expect 8,000 to 25,000 CHF in initial investment (alarm, video protection, access control), plus 2,000 to 6,000 CHF/year for monitoring and maintenance. Human surveillance (rounds) is added as required: 500–2,000 CHF/month.
Should I favour remote monitoring or a permanent officer?
The two approaches complement each other. Remote monitoring efficiently covers off-hours (nights, weekends) at a reduced cost. A permanent officer is essential when your activity involves the public, continuous flows, or high-risk zones. Most SMEs combine a day officer with overnight remote monitoring.
How long are video recordings kept?
The Swiss FADP does not impose a fixed duration but requires proportionality. 30 days is the standard benchmark. Beyond that, only recordings linked to an incident (manually saved) can be retained longer.
Can SGP respond in an emergency 24/7?
Yes. Our monitoring station runs 24/7, every day of the year. Mobile officers can be deployed in under 30 minutes across the Geneva area (city, Carouge, Vernier, Meyrin, Lancy) and the Rhône valley in Valais. Client emergency number: +41 22 301 05 11.
Do I need my staff’s authorization to install cameras?
Not for the installation itself, but you must inform them (signage, internal policy) and limit filmed areas to work spaces (no restrooms, break rooms). The FDPIC — the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner — recommends prior consultation, particularly in companies with staff representation.
Going further with SGP
Safe Guard Protection SA has been advising and equipping businesses in Geneva, Carouge, and Valais for more than 20 years. Our teams are certified (cantonal licence, French-speaking concordat), our setups are insured (5M CHF professional liability), and our monitoring station runs 24/7.
Request a free audit: an expert visits your site, assesses your real needs, and sends a detailed report with a costed proposal within 48 business hours. Contact us at +41 22 301 05 11 or by email at info@sgp-sa.ch.
