Securitas and IBM pioneer new approach to security contracts

Together with IBM, Securitas has established the world’s first global Vested security agreement, a strategic partnership that could have a significant impact on the industry.

The Vested business model – developed by a team led by Kate Vitasek at the University of Tennessee – is an innovative approach that turns the conventional buy-sell relationship into a partnership focused on shared success, transparency, and common goals.

As Kate puts it, this approach aims to turn value exchange into value creation, reimagining contracts as frameworks for collaboration. Importantly, it also builds into the contract flexibility and opportunity for innovation.

“Moving away from transactional relationships into this Vested methodology gives us bi-lateral flexibility,” says IBM Chief Security Officer and VP of Corporate Security Royce Curtin. “It allows us to specify requirements to secure the enterprise and our people, and it gives Securitas flexibility to deliver those requirements using a combination of assets – including physical guarding, security technology, or various other incident response tactics.”

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IBM Chief Security Officer and VP of Corporate Security Royce Curtin (left) and Securitas Senior Vice President of Global Clients Paul McClintock (right)

This type of partnership presents tremendous potential in the security industry, in particular, where traditional contracts can inadvertently prioritize price-per-guard metrics over holistic safety and security. In a Vested business model, key performance indicators (KPIs) developed by both companies primarily focus on the health of the relationship, and a governance team representing both sides track progress against these shared goals.

“This partnership is built on a foundation of mutual trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence,” says Paul McClintock, senior vice president of Global Clients at Securitas. “Through the Vested approach, our goal is to showcase the power of partnership in creating not just a safer, more secure environment, but a more resilient and intelligent enterprise.”