– From traditional plant security to integrated security architecture
– Two historic locations reflect the transformation of the security industry

The security industry has undergone fundamental changes in recent decades.
What in the 1960s consisted mainly of patrols, factory gates and analogue documentation is now characterised by networked security platforms, digital control centres and cyber security concepts. Two branches of KÖTTER Security exemplify this transformation: the sites in Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main will celebrate their 65th anniversary in 2026.
Whilst Stuttgart celebrated its anniversary on 1 May, Frankfurt am Main will follow on 12 June. Both branches were established in 1961 – during a period of economic boom and increasing industrialisation in Germany. At that time, security needs grew in tandem with economic dynamism: in Stuttgart, the focus was particularly on industrial production sites, whilst Frankfurt was increasingly establishing itself as a financial and economic hub.

From a visible presence to networked security solutions

The requirements for security services have changed profoundly since then. In the early years, traditional site security dominated, with a physical presence and access controls. Modern security concepts, by contrast, are based on the close integration of personnel, technology and digital systems.
“Back then, it was primarily about a visible presence – traditional site security was the focus, and security technology was in its infancy,” explains Matthias Stammer, Branch Manager in Stuttgart. Today, the company develops holistic security concepts that combine operational security services with modern security technology, control centre connectivity and digital solutions.
In this way, the two sites reflect a trend shaping the entire security industry: the boundaries between physical security, building technology and cyber security are becoming increasingly blurred. Security architectures are becoming more data-driven, networked and focused on integrated risk management.

Stuttgart: Security solutions for industry and manufacturing

The Stuttgart branch has been managed by Matthias Stammer since October 2025; he has been with the family-run business for 18 years. His career began in the police force before he took on various operational management roles at KÖTTER Security – from security inspector to operations manager and finally to site manager.
The Stuttgart branch primarily serves clients from industry and the manufacturing sector. In industrial environments in particular, the demands on security and resilience concepts are constantly rising. Alongside traditional plant security, issues such as access management, production security, perimeter protection and cyber resilience are becoming increasingly important.
Long-term client relationships continue to play a central role in this regard. Matthias Stammer emphasises that professionalism, reliability and trust are decisive factors in working with industrial companies.

Frankfurt: Complex security requirements in the financial and cultural sectors

The branch in Frankfurt am Main also operates in an environment with particularly demanding security requirements. The city on the Main is not only one of Europe’s most important financial centres, but also brings together critical infrastructure, international companies and cultural institutions.
Under the leadership of Arne Kriegel, the branch serves clients from various sectors, some with highly complex security requirements. Kriegel himself has over 20 years’ experience in the private security sector and has been part of the KÖTTER Group for almost a decade.
In the financial sector in particular, the demands on integrated security and resilience strategies are constantly rising. Alongside physical security, issues such as regulatory compliance, business continuity, cyber security and crisis management are coming increasingly into focus.

Employee retention as a strategic success factor

Despite technological transformation, the human factor remains a central component of modern security services. Both branches cite long-standing employee loyalty as a key success factor.
Many employees have been part of the sites’ development for decades and possess a deep understanding of the industry and clients. Particularly in security-critical areas, experience, continuity and trust continue to be regarded as decisive quality characteristics.
In doing so, KÖTTER Security is simultaneously addressing a key challenge facing the industry: the growing demand for skilled personnel.
In view of rising regulatory requirements, more complex security situations and increasing technological advancement, qualified personnel are becoming ever more strategically important.

Integrated security architectures are gaining in importance

The two anniversaries coincide with a period of fundamental change in the security industry. Critical infrastructure, hybrid threat scenarios and advancing digitalisation are bringing about lasting changes to the demands placed on security service providers.
The focus is increasingly on the approach of integrated security architectures. Physical security services are being combined with modern security and building technology, control centre infrastructure, and cyber security and monitoring solutions.
According to the company, this begins with a structured analysis of threat scenarios, processes, locations and regulatory requirements. On this basis, bespoke security concepts are developed that combine operational services with technical and digital components.
Integration with the company’s own emergency and service control centre forms an important part of modern security management. In addition, monitoring and cyber security solutions are becoming increasingly relevant – particularly in the context of critical infrastructure and hybrid threat scenarios.

Security is increasingly being viewed holistically

The development of the two branches also highlights an overarching trend in the security market: security services are evolving from isolated individual measures towards comprehensive resilience and security ecosystems.
It is precisely the increasing convergence of physical and digital security that is bringing about a lasting change in the role of modern security service providers.
Today, the demand is no longer solely for manned security services, but for integrated security concepts with a high level of technological and organisational expertise.
The anniversaries in Stuttgart and Frankfurt thus represent not only the history of two successful locations, but also the transformation of an entire industry – from traditional site security to networked security and resilience architectures for an increasingly complex risk landscape.