Coastal International Security

Coastal International Security Headquarters Location

Upper Marlboro, MD

About Coastal International Security
Unarmed? Akal Security provides contract security guard services for customers in the US and abroad. Akal's Judicial Security division specializes in security services for protecting federal courthouses in 40 states. It also transports prisoners and illegal aliens for homeland security efforts. In addition, Akal supplies security officers for detention facilities and military installations, and offers electronic security, surveillance, and access control system design, installation, and integration. The company serves federal agencies as well as commercial clients and state and local government facilities. Clients have included the US Army, the Department of Homeland Security, the US Marshals Service, and NASA.

Since its startup in 1980, funded by a $1,200 loan from a co-founder, Akal Security has expanded its footprint from serving businesses and communities in New Mexico to clients in Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Texas. Its international arm protects both US government and multinational corporate officials in some 20 countries worldwide.

Alak's growth builds upon a series of progressively significant contracts. Among them, the company furnishes security to 14 NASA locations, including White Sands Test Facility (near Las Cruces, New Mexico), the Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers, and NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The company's Homeland Security Division is contracted by the federal Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation Systems (JPATS). In a similar vein, Alak's air security officers support the air fleet of the US Marshals Service, within the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Success, however, has also spurred a redeployment of resources from non-core operations. In early 2009 the company sold its Hawaiian commercial business to Stockholm security giant Securitas for about $2 million. Some 300 employees in Hawaii left Akal for Securitas Security Services USA. The sale excluded Akal's federal government contracts and commercial business outside of Hawaii.

The company was founded by members of a Sikh community. Sikhism, with its roots in India, is traditionally seen as the religion of warriors, protecting those who cannot defend themselves. The word akal, meaning timeless and immortal, is integral to Sikh tradition.

Number of Employees in Coastal International Security

5,001 to 10,000

Coastal International Security Revenue

$100M to $500M (USD)