The security industry has grown considerably in importance in recent decades due to the increasing demand for private security services. The plan for a separate law for the security industry has been included in the coalition agreement for several legislative periods. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs published the first draft of a Security Industry Act on 31 July 2023. Based on the security industry in accordance with Section 34a GewO, the work presents the current legal situation of the security industry in order to then provide de lege ferenda reform proposals at both national and Union level. The background check is at the centre of the discussion on amendments to the security industry. The cross-border activities of private security services are to be facilitated by a European background check register.