Mexico Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in mexico, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Safety and Security
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Overview

Mexico remains one of Latin America’s most dynamic safety and security markets, with sustained demand from government, enterprises (manufacturing, logistics, retail, energy), and households. “Security” in this section covers crime prevention/response and public security infrastructure; “safety” covers occupational/industrial protection and emergency/civil protection.

Spending is shaped by high perceptions of insecurity, nearshoring-led logistics and cargo protection needs, and ongoing digitalization (video analytics/AI, cloud-managed VMS, access control, biometrics). The physical security market in Mexico reached USD 1.85 billion in 2024 (equipment USD 0.737 billion; services USD 1.117 billion) and is projected to surpass USD 2.63 billion by 2028, according to the Security Industry Association’s 2025 assessment. 

Public sector demand is influenced by the federal budget cycle. The federal “Public Security” allocation fell from MXN 190.49 billion in 2024 (USD 9.62 billion) to MXN 154.13 billion in 2025 (USD 7.78 billion), equivalent to 0.55 percent and 0.43 percent of GDP and 2.10 percent and 1.66 percent of total expenditure, respectively. This includes the Ministry of Civil Protection (SSPC), Defense (SEDENA), Navy (SEMAR) programs performing public-security roles, and the Office of the General Prosecutor (FGR). 

Source: Mexican Chamber of Deputies  

Mexico’s perception of insecurity rose to 63.2 percent in June 2025, up from 59.4 percent in June 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The Mexico Peace Index 2025 notes that peace has deteriorated. Violent crimes rose by 14 percent in 2015, with firearms crime and organized crime substantially higher than a decade ago and a large economic impact of violence (around MXN 4.6 trillion/USD 232 billion), which represents approximately 18.3 percent of GDP. 

Source: Mexico Peace Index 2025

Mexico’s civil protection relies on multi-agency response (SEDENA/SEMAR roles under Plan DN-III; and local/state units). Regular earthquakes and hurricanes sustain demand for early warning, mass notification, fire/life safety and PPE.

Trade Statistics

Table: Mexico Safety and Security Products and Services Market Size (USD Billions)

 20212022202320242025 
Physical security-equipment revenue  0.6860.737 
Physical security-services revenue   1.117 
Total physical security market   1.85 
Federal ‘Public Security” function (approved budget)131.2166181.9190.5154.1
Perception: “unsafe to live in my city” (%)66.667.462.359.463.2
Households with one or more crime victim in prior year (%)2927.427.5  

Sources: Physical security market/equipment/services (2023-2024): Security Industry Association (SIA), Grand View Research, Federal Public Security approved budget, Chamber of Deputies, INEGI/ENVIPE

Footnote: Historic splits for equipment/services before 2024 are not publicly broken out by SIA 

Leading Sub-sectors

  • Video surveillance and analytics (VMS/VA, License Plate Recognition, AI)
  • Electronic access control and identity (biometrics, mobile credentials)
  • Intrusion and fire solutions (upgrades, monitoring, code compliance)
  • Cargo and logistics protection (GPS, Electronic Logging Device, geofencing, yard/port security)
  • Industrial Occupational Safety and Health solutions

Opportunities

Mexico is a net importer of many security product categories including burglar and fire alarms, sound/visual signaling apparatus (panic buttons, sirens), television cameras that include CCTV and IP, biometric readers, and related electronic control systems. Importers source heavily from Asia, North America, and Europe; local value is added by design, integration, installation, and multi-year service contracts. Other opportunities include:

  • Integrated solutions that bundle hardware + software + services win versus box sales
  • Cyber-physical convergence: secure, cloud-managed systems; zero-trust endpoints; supply-chain hardening
  • Compliance and training: National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration-aligned fire protection, emergency preparedness, and maintenance services 
    Crime and cargo risk: CCTV/VMS with analytics, License Plate Recognition, access control, intrusion/fire, GPS/telematics for fleet and cargo
  • Nearshoring and industrial safety: Occupational Safety and Health compliance, fire safety, integrated Physical Security Information Management operations

Events

  • SHOT Show: January 20-23, 2026. Las Vegas.
  • Expo Seguridad México: June 2-4, 2026. Mexico City.
  • InfoSecurity México: 2026 dates TBD.

Resources

  • National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)
  • Secretariat of Interior (SEGOB)/National System of Civil Protection
  • Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC)
  • Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP)
  • AmCham Mexico
  • National Citizen Observatory (ONC)
  • Mexico United Against Crime (Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia)
  • American Association for Industry Security (ASIS) Mexico Chapter
  • Latin America Security Association (ALAS) Mexico Chapter

Contacts

For further information and assistance in exploring opportunities in Mexico’s safety and security sector, contact: Adriana Carrillo (Adriana.Carrillo@trade.gov)

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