“I don’t sell fear. I sell readiness.”
For Nick Lawless, security isn’t a buzzword; it’s a shield forged by pain, purpose, and precision. At just 40 years old, the CEO of Crime Prevention Security 1 (CPS1) in California and Founder of Phobos Security in Pennsylvania has turned a life shaped by hardship into a career defined by discipline, leadership, and innovation in physical security services.
Forged Under Pressure
Lawless’ journey didn’t begin in a boardroom or on a battlefield, it began in survival. Abused as a child, he grew up never knowing if each day would be his last. That crucible hardened into grit as he moved through careers as a union tradesman, soldier sidelined by injury, and eventually federal service roles at the GSA, White House, and Department of Homeland Security during volatile years.
“I learned how systems break and how teams hold the line when they do,” Lawless recalls. “I left early, on my terms, to build security companies that actually protect people.”
Today, that mission drives both CPS1 and Phobos: no-nonsense protection, jobs for veterans, and leadership that delivers measurable results.
Building Security Without Excuses
The idea for Lawless’s companies was born out of frustration. While serving in government, he watched bureaucracy move slowly while threats evolved fast. Communities, construction sites, and businesses were left to absorb losses. Lawless decided to design a model where security moved as quickly as threats.
That vision materialized into layered defense strategies, cost-to-impact protection models, and measurable outcomes. Both CPS1 and Phobos offer:
- Mobile patrols & static posts for residential, commercial, and industrial sites
- Executive protection (EP) & secure transport services
- Construction site and warehouse security
- Risk/threat assessments & travel security mapping
- Event security & rapid response staffing
- Client portals with SLA-driven reporting, including geofenced guard tours, time-stamped reports, photos, and video evidence
The business model is simple yet powerful: monthly retainers for patrol tiers, fixed hourly rates for posts/EP, and SLA-backed reporting with KPIs like response time and incident rate. “Security is cheaper than regret,” says Lawless.
A Tough Road, A Stronger Foundation
Lawless’s entrepreneurial journey hasn’t been smooth. After acquiring CPS1, he discovered legal irregularities in the transaction and has been fighting litigation for over a year, all while continuing to expand services. Phobos Security, his Pennsylvania venture, is just getting started, but already mirrors his disciplined, no-excuses framework.
“Capital constraints, a fraudulent acquisition mess, rebuilding operations from scratch, I’ve seen it all,” he admits. “But we don’t mess around. I’ve got a team that responds like a unit on a timer.”
Lawless Leadership in Action
Beyond security contracts, Lawless is shaping minds. His Lawless Leadership content series and trainings (@lawlessops) teach organizations how to build high-performance teams under pressure. The philosophy is simple:
- Discipline and drive beat drama
- Pain can be weaponized into purpose
- Leadership is love with a spine
These aren’t abstract slogans, they’re battle-tested lessons he’s applying daily to protect clients and mentor veterans.
Industry Recognition
Lawless’ impact is already gaining national attention. He was recently featured in Xraised & Business Insider’s editorial awards series (Aug 2025) and has contributed to multiple DHS OIG reports on federal security and oversight. His companies are rapidly rolling out investigations, background checks, and expanded executive protection programs across California and Pennsylvania.
What Sets Him Apart
In an industry often crowded with “warm bodies in uniforms,” Lawless has carved a reputation as a results-driven disruptor. His differentiators include:
- Military and federal pedigree applied to everyday protection
- Court-ready reporting with video, photos, and geofencing
- Cost-to-impact focus: maximum security per dollar, zero fluff
- Training-first culture: disciplined warriors, not placeholders
- Founder involvement: Lawless himself remains on the front lines with clients
Or as he puts it: “Quiet work. Loud results.”
A Vision Beyond Borders
Looking ahead, Lawless envisions a multi-state and multi-country shield of patrols, static posts, and executive protection teams measured not by slogans but by actual reductions in crime rates. He also plans to launch the Lawless Leadership Academy to turn veterans and driven civilians into trusted protectors.
“I kept moving forward through abuse, through lawsuits, through setbacks,” Lawless reflects. “Now I help families, founders, and leaders sleep at night because my teams don’t.”
From White House halls to street-level patrols, Nick Lawless has proven that security, like leadership, is best measured by outcomes, not intentions.