GardaWorld Security – U.S. Named 2026 Outstanding Contract Security Company: The people and culture behind the win

That belief was recognized on one of the industry’s biggest stages when GardaWorld Security – U.S. was named the 2026 Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) at the U.S. Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), which received the highest number of entries in the program’s history this year.

This also marks the third consecutive year that GardaWorld Security – U.S. has been recognized with both the Outstanding Security Officer Award and Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director Award, a testament to the exceptional people and leaders at the heart of our organization.  

At GardaWorld Security, we often say culture is our superpower. Our growing record of industry recognition shows what this looks like in action and, for current and prospective clients, why the people and culture behind a security program matter.

A track record of excellence

For years, GardaWorld Security – U.S. professionals, leaders and teams have been earning recognition across the OSPAs. After being named a finalist for Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) in both 2024 and 2025, GardaWorld Security – U.S. earned the top honor in 2026.

That win builds on a much broader record of recognition, reflecting the collective strength of our people, leadership, and operations across GardaWorld Security – U.S.

Since 2024, GardaWorld Security – U.S. has been named a U.S. OSPA finalist 24 times across six categories, with 11 wins, including:

• 9 U.S. OSPA awards, including the 2026 Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) Award
  • 3 consecutive Outstanding Security Officer wins: James Showalter in 2024, Don Buehrer in 2025, and James “Brian” Owens in 2026
  • 3 consecutive Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director wins: Ed Torres in 2024, Kevin McGraham in 2025, and Ed Ketcham in 2026
  • 2 additional 2025 U.S. OSPA wins for Outstanding Security Team and Outstanding Security Partnership, both recognizing the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe program
• 2 Global OSPA wins: James Showalter was named Global Outstanding Security Officer in 2025, followed by Kevin McGraham as Global Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director in 2026
• Ambassador Nathalie Knight also received an honorable mention for the 2025 Ralph Day Memorial Security Officer Heroism Award

These winners will now be entered into the Global OSPAs, scheduled to take place in 2027.

In 2026, the U.S. OSPAs received a record-breaking number of nominations, making this year’s recognition especially meaningful despite the heavy competition. GardaWorld Security – U.S. also had five finalists in the Outstanding Security Officer category alone, following a whopping six finalists in the same category in 2025. That depth of recognition speaks to the strength of our frontline ambassador talent across the organization.

Together, these honors tell a consistent story: exceptional security performance is not limited to one person or one account. It is embedded in the culture of GardaWorld Security – U.S. and reflected in the people, programs, partnerships, and operations supporting our clients every day.

Culture is our superpower

In 2026, GardaWorld Security – U.S. earned Great Place to Work^® Certification™ for the fourth consecutive year. Out of the 6,800+ companies recognized this year, we remain the only traditional guarding company in the United States to earn this distinction, and the only guarding company to do so for four consecutive years.

For us, those results matter because culture is not separate from performance. The way employees are welcomed, supported, developed and trusted shapes the way they show up for clients every day.

That belief is also reflected in the investments we continue to make in our people. Through the Ambassador Era, GardaWorld Security is strengthening how we hire, match, train, develop, communicate with, and recognize employees across the organization.

Programs such as our Rising Lions mentorship, expanded training opportunities, and continued investment in benefits and employee support are all designed to help our people grow and succeed.

Why culture matters to clients

For clients, workplace culture may not always be the first factor considered when selecting a security provider. But it can have a direct impact on the quality and consistency of the security program they receive.

Engaged, well-trained, and supported security professionals are better positioned to build familiarity with a client environment, develop strong relationships, identify risks, and respond effectively when situations change.

A strong workplace culture can also support:

• Greater service consistency through a more engaged and experienced workforce.
• Stronger retention and operational continuity, reducing disruption caused by frequent staffing changes.
• Better-developed leaders who can guide teams, strengthen accountability, and respond to evolving client needs.
• Stronger client relationships built through trust, communication, and familiarity.
• More effective training and development, helping security professionals build the skills needed to perform at a high level.

The OSPA recognition our people and teams continue to earn year after year provides another measure of that connection between culture and performance. From individual security ambassadors and account leaders to security teams, training programs and client partnerships, the results are visible across the organization.

Built by our people

Being named the 2026 Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) is a milestone for GardaWorld Security – U.S., but it is also a reflection of everything that came before it.

It reflects security ambassadors who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service. Leaders who have built and developed high-performing teams. Client partnerships that have produced measurable results. Training programs designed to prepare our people for what comes next. And thousands of GardaWorld Security ambassadors who bring our values of integrity, trust, vigilance, and respect to work every day.

That is why culture remains one of our greatest differentiators. And why, at GardaWorld Security, we will continue recognizing and investing in the people who make outstanding security possible.

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