While 83 percent of the respondents indicated they had a security department, the differences between industries were significant. Manufacturers accounted for 30 percent, retailers 16 percent, financial institutions 18 percent, and health facilities 20 percent. Data provided on most security departments showed almost 27 percent as less than 5 years old. Contract guards comprised only a quarter of the security force at companies with security departments and were used least by retail firms and health care facilities. The survey results suggested that the growth of security functions, such as access control, personnel clearance, information controls, alarm system monitoring, and theft control, triggered the creation of a full-fledged security department. Financial institutions appeared to offer the most comprehensive security programs. Supervision for security matters was shared in almost half the respondents with departments. When a company did establish a security department, the clear loser in responsibility was the operations department. The most frequently used contract services were alarm monitoring and perimeter and external protection. Arguments supporting a separate security department cited loss prevention and education, better control of security and personnel, more professional response to problems, and protection. High cost was the major argument against a department. Graphs and tables are supplied.