Why Protos?

SECURITY SERVICES For the Retail Industry

With a strong market presence and an impressive 97% customer retention rate, Protos consistently delivers on its promise to protect shopping centers and retail stores. We understand the unique complexities and security challenges that retail environments face, from safeguarding merchandise and preventing theft to ensuring the safety of shoppers, tenants and staff.

inside of a shopping mall

A Modern
Security Experience

Protos has deep expertise in the retail industry. Our impressive 97% customer retention rate speaks to the power of our seamlessly integrated and always adaptable services. Our teams are trained to protect customers, deter crime, maintain store integrity and reduce incidents of theft and financial loss for stores, malls, shopping centers and retail operations.

Retail Security Experts

Protos delivers tailored security solutions that meet the unique demands of retail environments, from storefronts to large-scale shopping centers. Our security teams are rigorously trained to enhance the customer experience while actively deterring theft, preserving store operations and minimizing financial losses across all types of retail settings.

security guard standing at their post
computers and devices showing Protos' software technology

Purpose-built Technology

Our proprietary Dynamic Security Management Platform puts improved staffing, vetting, training, visibility, accountability and flexibility at your fingertips. Plus, our portal provides insights based on real-time local observations and national industry insights. 

Now you can easily manage a security strategy—and save time and money with more efficient operations—all while reducing risk and liability.

One of the key features of our Dynamic Security Management platform is our Guard Touring program. The dashboard simplifies tracking started versus scheduled tours and completed versus scheduled checkpoints. Utilizing our Guard Touring capabilities allows you to stay updated at the portfolio level and manage your security officers’ tasks effectively, while maintaining comprehensive oversight of all vendors.

Monitoring for Parking Lot Safety

Safety shouldn’t stop at the door. That’s why we extend our security to parking lots and store perimeters.

Our in-house monitoring division offers highly trained and experienced security monitoring personnel as well as monitoring devices. Our team of experts will visit your locations, listen to your concerns and goals, and then share tailored security program recommendations to make sure your store and your people are safe and secure.

security trailer with surveillance cameras on a mast.

Flexible Security Options

Protos offers the flexibility and experience to provide armed guards, unarmed guards and off-duty law enforcement officers, which brings a strategic advantage to clients seeking tailored protection. This range of options allows your businesses to choose the right level of security for your unique environment, risk level and budget.

Armed guards are ideal for high-risk scenarios or locations where a strong visual deterrent is needed, such as banks, construction sites or events with valuable assets. Unarmed guards offer a lower-profile presence, suitable for customer-facing roles in retail where approachability is key.

Off-duty law enforcement officers provide an elite layer of protection, offering advanced training, authority, and real-world experience—making them invaluable in situations that require rapid response or specialized enforcement knowledge. By having all three options under one roof, our clients benefit from a unified, scalable security solution. They can adjust coverage as their needs evolve, without the hassle of coordinating multiple providers.

female security officer in a store

In Store Security

We help you create a secure and inviting shopping experience with physical in-store security officers, emphasizing customer safety while effectively deterring theft and other criminal activities.

Mobile Patrols

We are experienced in providing vehicle security patrol services to protect your retail parking lots, contributing to a safer shopping environment for your customers.

Special event security

We offer security for special events such as parades, tent sales and holiday shutdowns. From access control to crowd management, we provide professionally trained officers to protect your sites.

The Vendor Network

Our network of over 2,000 security vendors allows us to ensure your sites have the correct uniforms, trainings and certifications because we right-match their offerings to your requirements. The extensive Protos network covers a variety of needs from emergency and temporary posts to long-term permanent security contracts. The vendor network’s diverse expertise and flexibility allows us to select the right guard company for your needs. It also allows our teams to staff your posts up or down as your needs change.

And while Protos is not a Minority or Woman Owned Business, 52% of Minority, Woman, Disabled or Veteran owners make up Protos’ vendor network. We are able to place these companies at a particular location if that is a request by the client.

All Protos clients Receive:

A purpose-built portal

From onboarding through ongoing support, we monitor and measure your security using our cloud-based proprietary software. Our Portal is accessible to as many of your team members as needed, on any device. It delivers improved transparency, accuracy, accountability and efficiency by providing real-time information (like data-validated billing) as well as historical data for identification of longer-term trends.

Beyond data transparency, you can use the Portal to order security services, make sure your teams are currently onsite, track KPIs and download reports. Any feedback you share feeds the software development pipeline — that’s part of our continuous improvement.

Always-accountable customer service
With Protos, you get a single point of contact to coordinate a team of experts dedicated to delivering on today’s needs and preparing for tomorrow. National Account clients receive additional support through the Enterprise Accounts Group, who act as client advocates and offer strategic security program guidance. All account team members are backed by our 24/7 dispatch and operations team. That means you can always get help with monitoring daily events, billing and invoicing, post fulfillment, new service requests, changes to existing assignments and communicating client portal enhancements. From our purpose-built technology to our professional teams, we promise an unwavering experience.

Testimonials

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Download

Interested In Learning More ?

Explore how Protos is redefining retail security with flexible services, purpose-built technology and expert protection strategies. From safeguarding merchandise to enhancing customer safety, our PDF guide outlines everything you need to know about creating a safer, more efficient retail environment.

Contact a Security Expert

Contact Us 3 Column (Pardot-2025 new contact form)
Protos
Headquarters

383 Main Ave, Suite 505
Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
Phone: 203.941.4700

Protos
Headquarters

383 Main Ave, Suite 505
Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
Phone: 203.941.4700

Mark Hjelle

Chief Executive Officer

Mark Hjelle is the CEO of Security Services Holdings, LLC as well as Protos Security and its subsidiaries. Mark is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Board Member who has led large national business and facilities services firms for nearly 25 years delivering strong top- and bottom-line growth while building high-performing teams with strong culture. Most recently, he was CEO for CSC ServiceWorks, a B2B2C provider of technology-enabled consumer services. Prior to CSC, Mark was President of Brickman/Valleycrest a national provider of exterior landscape and snow removal services. Over the course of his 18-year tenure at Brickman, he held numerous leadership positions in operations, finance and business development. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government and a Law Degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law.