NACE 80 – Security and Investigation Activities | Public Tenders

NACE 80: Security services and detective agencies in public tenders. Guarding, CPV codes and public contracting authorities at a glance.

Definition: NACE 80 covers guarding and protection services, security systems, detective services and close protection. Security services are among the largest service contracts by volume in the public sector, since authorities, courts and public institutions have permanent guarding needs.

What does NACE 80 cover?

NACE 80 (Security and investigation activities) classifies private security companies, guarding services and detective agencies — an area with substantial and regular public tender volumes.

Group	Title	Typical services
80.1	Private security activities	Site security, reception services, access control
80.2	Security systems service activities	Alarm monitoring, video surveillance, fire alarm systems
80.3	Investigation activities	Investigation services, surveillance

Public Tenders – Security Services

Public buildings, courts, airports and infrastructure have ongoing guarding needs — security contracts are typically awarded as framework agreements with multi-year terms.

Typical types of contract

Site security and building guarding: Guarding of ministries, courts, schools, hospitals
Reception and access control: Front-of-house, visitor management, key management
Event security: Stewarding at public events, sporting events, trade fairs
Close protection: Protection of office holders, diplomats, witnesses
Alarm monitoring and response services: 24/7 emergency centres, alarm response

Relevant CPV codes

CPV Code	Title	Application
79710000	Security services	Guarding in general
79711000	Alarm-monitoring services	Security centres, remote monitoring
79713000	Guard services	Site security, reception services
79714000	Surveillance services	Video surveillance, patrol services
79715000	Patrol services	Outdoor patrols, walking rounds

Contracting Authorities

Typical public contracting authorities in the field of NACE 80 are:

Federal ministries and federal authorities: Guarding of official buildings, sensitive properties
Courts and public prosecutors: Access control, courtroom security
Publicly owned airports and stations: Aviation security, platform security
Public hospitals: Reception and security services, psychiatric facilities
Municipalities: Guarding of municipal properties, event security

FAQ

What authorisations do security companies need for public-sector contracts? Security companies require a trade authorisation under § 129 GewO in Austria (professional detectives, guarding trade) and an authorisation under § 34a GewO in Germany. In addition, ISO certifications (e.g. ISO 9001) and evidence of the reliability of the security personnel deployed are required.

How frequently are security service contracts re-tendered? Security service contracts typically have terms of 2–4 years with extension options. Once the options have expired, re-tendering is mandatory under procurement law in order to ensure competition.

NACE N – Administrative and support service activities: Parent section
NACE 80.1 – Private security activities: Sub-group on guarding
NACE 80.2 – Security systems service activities: Sub-group on technical systems
NACE 81 – Services to buildings and landscape activities: Related division

Last updated: January 2026