Citiguard CEO: Security Should Be a Growth Strategy, Not a Cost Center
Citiguard CEO Sami Nomair argues that companies should treat physical security as a growth-enabling, risk-based business decision rather than a cost to be cut. He emphasizes identifying risks before staffing.
Sami Nomair, founder and CEO of California-based security firm Citiguard, has authored an article for Forbes Business Council asserting that physical security should be viewed as a growth-supporting business strategy, not merely an expense.
Published on October 5, 2026, Nomair's piece, "Security Is A Growth Strategy, Not A Cost Center," posits that businesses should first identify their true vulnerabilities and then tailor security plans accordingly. He highlights that often the most expensive failure stems from an unassessed risk.
Citiguard's approach involves a property assessment before guard deployment. This process identifies business exposures, critical personnel and assets, potential disruptions, and their associated costs. Nomair contrasts this with a generic staffing number, which he describes as a cost to be negotiated down, whereas a documented risk presents a business problem for leadership to evaluate.
The article also addresses how security programs can become outdated during periods of business expansion. Nomair contends that significant growth, including increases in staff, locations, or operating hours, should trigger a security plan reassessment, mirroring the processes for updating personnel, technology, and financial controls.