Kent Security Review 2026: South Florida Commercial Provider — Services, Pricing & Residential Alternatives
Kent Security is a commercial-focused security provider based in South Florida. If you’re a homeowner who stumbled on this page looking for a home security system, Kent Security is not for you — but we’ll point you to better options below.
If you’re a business owner in South Florida evaluating commercial security providers, here’s everything you need to know about Kent Security’s services, strengths, limitations, and how they compare to alternatives.
Kent Security at a Glance
| Detail | Kent Security |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida |
| Service Area | South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando) |
| Focus | Commercial & HOA security |
| Services | Guard services, alarm monitoring, video surveillance, access control, fire alarm, patrol |
| Residential Service | ❌ Limited — primarily HOA/condo common areas, not individual homes |
| Website | kentsecurity.com |
What Kent Security Actually Does
Kent Security is primarily a guard and patrol company that also offers electronic security. Their bread and butter is physical security — uniformed guards, mobile patrol, and concierge services for:
| Service | Description | Typical Client |
|---|---|---|
| Uniformed Guard Services | Armed & unarmed guards, 24/7 coverage | Office buildings, retail, construction sites |
| Mobile Patrol | Marked vehicle patrols on scheduled routes | HOAs, gated communities, business parks |
| Concierge & Lobby Security | Front desk, visitor management, package handling | High-rise condos, luxury communities |
| Alarm Monitoring | Intrusion, fire, panic alarm monitoring | Commercial buildings, warehouses |
| Video Surveillance | CCTV installation, remote monitoring | Retail, parking garages, construction |
| Access Control | Key card, biometric, gate systems | Office buildings, gated communities |
| Fire Alarm | Design, installation, monitoring, inspections | Commercial buildings (code compliance) |
Kent Security’s Strengths
| Strength | Details |
|---|---|
| 40+ years in South Florida | Deep local knowledge, established police relationships, understands Florida-specific risks (hurricanes, flooding) |
| Own employees (not subcontractors) | Better training, accountability, and consistency compared to staffing-agency guards |
| Full-service offering | Single vendor for guards + electronic security + fire — simplifies vendor management |
| HOA expertise | Understands Florida HOA law, gate management, resident/visitor protocols |
| Bilingual staff | English/Spanish throughout — essential in South Florida market |
Kent Security’s Weaknesses
| Weakness | Impact | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| South Florida only | No coverage outside FL — can’t grow with you if you expand | National providers (ADT, Allied Universal) for multi-state businesses |
| No residential home security | They don’t install home alarm systems for individual homeowners | Abode, Ring, SimpliSafe |
| Guard service pricing | $18-35+/hour per guard — significant ongoing cost | Camera-based remote monitoring ($500-2,000/mo) for some use cases |
| No DIY options | Everything is professionally installed with contracts | DIY commercial cameras (Verkada, Rhombus) for tech-savvy businesses |
| Limited technology focus | Guard company first, tech company second — electronic security isn’t their core | Alarm.com commercial or ADT Commercial for tech-heavy needs |
Kent Security Pricing (Estimated)
Kent Security uses consultation-based pricing — no published rates. Here’s what to expect based on industry standards for South Florida:
| Service | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unarmed Guard (per hour) | $18-25/hr | Minimum 8-hour shifts typical |
| Armed Guard (per hour) | $25-40/hr | D/G license required in Florida |
| Mobile Patrol | $800-2,500/mo | Depends on frequency and route size |
| Alarm Monitoring | $30-60/mo | Commercial systems, contract required |
| Video Surveillance Install | $3,000-15,000+ | Depends on camera count, NVR, cabling |
| Access Control | $2,000-10,000+ | Per door, includes hardware and install |
Who Should Use Kent Security
| Good Fit ✅ | Bad Fit ❌ |
|---|---|
| South Florida businesses needing guard services | Homeowners looking for a home alarm system |
| HOAs and gated communities needing gate guards | Businesses outside South Florida |
| Construction sites needing temporary security | Small businesses on a tight budget |
| High-rise condos needing lobby/concierge | Anyone wanting DIY or self-managed security |
| Commercial properties needing fire alarm compliance | Residential renters or apartment dwellers |
Kent Security vs Commercial Alternatives
| Feature | Kent Security | Allied Universal | ADT Commercial | Securitas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guard Services | ✅ Own employees | ✅ Largest in US | ❌ Limited | ✅ Global |
| Electronic Security | ✅ Basic | ✅ Full | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Full |
| Coverage | South Florida only | National | National | National/Global |
| Local Knowledge | 🟢 Deep | 🟡 Office-dependent | 🟡 Office-dependent | 🟡 Office-dependent |
| HOA Expertise | 🟢 Strong | 🟡 Varies | ❌ Not a focus | 🟡 Varies |
| Technology | 🟡 Basic | 🟢 Advanced | 🟢 Advanced | 🟢 Advanced |
| Best For | Local guard + basic systems | Large enterprises | Tech-heavy commercial | Global companies |
For Homeowners: Best Residential Security Systems
If you’re a homeowner in South Florida (or anywhere) looking for a home security system, here are your best options — all DIY, no contracts, and far more affordable than commercial security:
| System | Best For | Monthly Cost | 3-Year Cost | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | Smart home + security | $0-20/mo | $199-919 | HomeKit, Z-Wave, no contract |
| Ring | Amazon ecosystem | $4-20/mo | $344-920 | Neighbors app, cameras |
| SimpliSafe | Easy setup | $0-28/mo | $299-1,307 | Live Guard video verification |
| ADT Self Setup | Brand trust + DIY | $6-25/mo | $416-1,100 | Google Nest integration |
For Florida-specific considerations — hurricane power outages, flood sensors, heat-resistant outdoor cameras — see our home security buyer’s guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kent Security offer home security systems?
No. Kent Security focuses on commercial properties, HOAs, and gated communities. They don’t install residential alarm systems for individual homeowners. For home security, consider Abode (best smart home integration), Ring (best camera ecosystem), or SimpliSafe (easiest setup).
Is Kent Security only in Florida?
Yes. Kent Security operates exclusively in South Florida, covering Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties, with some presence in Tampa Bay and Orlando. For national commercial security, consider Allied Universal, Securitas, or ADT Commercial.
How much does Kent Security charge for guard services?
Kent Security uses consultation-based pricing, but expect $18-25/hour for unarmed guards and $25-40/hour for armed guards in the South Florida market. Most guard contracts require minimum shift lengths (typically 8 hours) and multi-month commitments.
Does Kent Security work with HOAs?
Yes — HOA and gated community security is one of Kent Security’s strongest areas. They provide gate guards, mobile patrol, concierge services, and electronic access control specifically tailored to Florida HOA requirements and regulations.
What’s the difference between Kent Security and a home alarm company?
Kent Security is primarily a guard and patrol company that also offers electronic security (alarms, cameras, access control) for commercial properties. Home alarm companies like Abode, Ring, and SimpliSafe sell consumer-grade alarm systems, sensors, and cameras designed for residential use with DIY installation and affordable monthly plans ($0-28/mo vs $800+/mo for guard services).
Are there better alternatives for South Florida businesses?
It depends on your needs. For guard services with deep local knowledge, Kent Security is a solid choice. For technology-heavy solutions (AI cameras, advanced access control, remote monitoring), Alarm.com commercial or ADT Commercial may be better. For national multi-site businesses, Allied Universal or Securitas offer broader coverage.
Growing up with Law and Order and CSI shows taught Isabelle Landau one thing: if people back then had high-quality home security systems, those series would have been way shorter. In our modern world, technology helps us keep burglars away easily, and this is what Izzy studies and writes about: alarm systems, home security, protection systems, and more.
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