3 Things Every Security Company Wants For Christmas

The holiday season is one of the busiest and most demanding times of year for security companies. Posts still need coverage while officers want time with their families, clients are closing out their budgets and reviewing vendors, and busy shopping and travel periods bring extra risk. Here are three things every security company wants for Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever holiday you celebrate, plus practical ways to make them happen.

3 Things Every Security Company Wants for the Holidays

1. Peace of Mind

I want to know that my officers are at their posts like they’re supposed to be. It’s tough, because they want to be with their families too. That’s why it matters to recognize holiday shifts, whether through holiday pay if your policy offers it or other thanks, and to make sure officers are alert, rested and focused on the job.

As an owner or manager who has finally earned the holiday off, you don’t want a call about someone who called in sick while you’re sitting at the dinner table. We take responsibility for our clients’ property and assets so they can relax and enjoy the holiday with their families. We want to make sure nothing goes wrong, that officers show up and that everything runs smoothly, so clients stay happy. Every owner, operations manager and supervisor would welcome some peace of mind this season.

Clients appreciate that your team is working on the holiday, and many take care of your officers in return. But if residents or visitors show up and your officer isn’t there, they will notice. Holiday call-offs are common, so it helps to understand why security guards no-call, no-show and plan backup coverage in advance.

2. Contract Renewals

The third and fourth quarters are when many clients review their vendors and contracts. Starting the new year with contracts renewed and another year committed lets you focus on building the business instead of taking a few steps backward. Use these strategies to keep, renew and grow your existing contracts before renewal conversations start.

3. Officers Who Know They’re Appreciated

The third thing I want for the holidays is for my officers to know they are appreciated for the time and effort they put in during the season. As an owner, I would pull up the schedule and call officers in the field to wish them a happy holiday, thank them for showing up and ask how they were doing.

It doesn’t take long, just a quick hello on the holiday. You can divide the calls among supervisors, who can say “the owner asked me to call and wish you a happy holiday.” Another great practice is having supervisors bring coffee and a snack to officers on post. It goes a long way and won’t break the bank.

Holiday Season Checklist for Security Companies

Use this timeline to plan ahead so the holidays run smoothly for your officers, supervisors and clients.

When	What to do
October	Collect officer availability and time-off requests, confirm holiday pay policies and review contracts coming up for renewal
Early November	Publish holiday schedules, identify backup officers and update post orders for seasonal risks
Late November	Adjust patrols for busy shopping periods and events, and share your holiday coverage plan with clients
December	Monitor coverage in real time, recognize officers working holidays and hold year-end reviews with key clients
January	Review incidents, overtime and call-offs from the season and use the data to improve next year’s plan

Holiday schedules often mean extra hours. Review the rules in overtime compensation compliance for security companies before the season starts so holiday coverage doesn’t create compliance or cost surprises.

Holiday Security Risks to Plan For

The holidays bring changes in traffic, staffing and activity that affect nearly every type of site. Adjust post orders and patrols for these common risks:

• Busy retail periods: Crowds, shoplifting and organized retail crime tend to rise around peak shopping days. See how security teams support retail security and the retail security trends driving change in 2026.
• Package theft: Residential and office properties see more deliveries, so mailrooms and entrances need extra attention.
• Quiet offices and closed sites: Empty buildings during holiday closures can attract break-ins and vandalism.
• Holiday events: Parties, markets and public events call for crowd management and clear escalation plans.
• Lone officers on skeleton crews: Fewer people on site means officers need reliable check-ins and fast ways to call for help.

Simple Ways to Show Holiday Appreciation

• A personal call or text from the owner or a supervisor on the holiday
• Coffee, hot chocolate or snacks delivered to officers on post
• A handwritten thank-you card or small gift card
• A shout-out in your company newsletter or group chat
• First pick of time off after the holidays for officers who worked them

How TrackTik Keeps the Holidays Running Smoothly

TrackTik, the security workforce management platform from Trackforce, helps security companies stay covered, connected and in control through the busiest time of year.

• Fill holiday call-offs fast: TrackTik business administration broadcasts vacant shifts to available officers by SMS or email and helps prevent unplanned overtime.
• See every post in real time: TrackTik guard management shows tours, incidents and attendance live, and sends updated holiday post orders straight to officers’ devices.
• Protect officers working alone: TrackTik people management includes lone worker check-ins and emergency alerts for skeleton crews.
• Respond quickly to incidents: TrackTik security dispatch assigns the nearest available officer and tracks response times.
• Prove your value at renewal time: TrackTik business intelligence turns a year of patrols, incidents and response times into dashboards you can share in year-end client reviews.

That’s what we want for the holidays in the security business. How about you? If you want a calmer season next year, book a TrackTik demo.