CNAE codes for private security and electronic monitoring in Brazil
The main CNAE code for security companies in Brazil is 8011-1/01 – Atividades de vigilância e segurança privada (Private security and guarding). Alarm and CCTV monitoring uses 8020-0/01, other security services 8020-0/02 and cash-in-transit 8012-9/00. To prospect this segment, search codes 8011-1/01, 8020-0/01, 8020-0/02, 8012-9/00 as both primary and secondary CNAE, keep only active CNPJs, then filter by company size and city.
CNAE codes for security companies
CNAE (Classificação Nacional de Atividades Econômicas) is Brazil's official activity classification. Every company registered with a CNPJ declares one primary CNAE and any number of secondary ones. These are the CNAE 2.3 subclasses most used by security companies:
| CNAE | Official description (pt) | English | When it shows up |
|---|---|---|---|
8011-1/01 | Atividades de vigilância e segurança privada | Private security and guarding | Guarding companies |
8020-0/01 | Atividades de monitoramento de sistemas de segurança eletrônico | Electronic security monitoring | Alarm and CCTV monitoring |
8020-0/02 | Outras atividades de serviços de segurança | Other security services | Concierge, access control and other security |
8012-9/00 | Atividades de transporte de valores | Cash-in-transit | Cash-in-transit companies |
Search primary and secondary CNAE
Many security companies register their real activity as a secondary CNAE, because the CNPJ was opened under another primary activity or because they do more than one thing. Electronic security companies often add electrical installation; outsourcers add concierge and cleaning. Filtering on the primary code alone misses part of the market.
Who sells to security companies
Security companies buy equipment, technology and services for large teams.
- Camera, alarm and access control distributors
- Monitoring, patrol and workforce software
- Uniforms, PPE and equipment
- Insurance and benefits for guards
- Connectivity for monitoring centers
How to build a list of security companies in Brazil
- Pick the codes: start with
8011-1/01and add8020-0/01,8020-0/02,8012-9/00depending on what you sell. - Search them as primary and secondary CNAE.
- Keep only active registrations (situação cadastral ativa) to drop unfit, suspended or closed CNPJs.
- Narrow by location (state, city, neighborhood) and company size (MEI, ME, EPP, other). Armed guarding requires a structured company (usually EPP or larger); monitoring includes many regional ME companies.
- Keep companies with contact data (email or phone) and save the filter as a reusable segment.
- Write a segment-specific opener and track replies in a pipeline.
1Lead runs all of these filters in one search over Brazil's public company registry, and its AI suggests adjacent CNAE codes from a plain-language description such as "camera and alarm distributor looking for electronic monitoring companies in Paraná". The product interface is in Portuguese.
Qualification signals
- Monitoring (8020-0/01): recurring equipment and software purchases.
- Branches: bases in several cities.
- Recently opened company: setting up its monitoring center.
How to approach this segment
Security companies prioritize reliability and technical support. Show warranty, stock and local support.
Example first message (in Portuguese, with translation)
Frequently asked questions
What is the CNAE code for a private security company in Brazil?
8011-1/01. Private security in Brazil requires Federal Police authorization (Law 7.102/1983).
Where is the official CNAE table?
IBGE publishes it in the CONCLA online search, with the full hierarchy (section, division, group, class, subclass) and notes on what each code includes and excludes.