Better than a blanket, Allied Security Holdings gives customers a sense of security. One of the largest private contract security firms in the US, it does business as AlliedBarton Security Services. It recruits and employs trained security guards to serve thousands of customers (some of which are large FORTUNE 500 companies) and their facilities. They include government facilities, hospitals, offices, ports, residential communities, shopping centers, and universities. The firm also provides employment and background screening services through its HR Plus subsidiary. In mid-2016, AlliedBarton merged with Universal Services of America to create Allied Universal, North America's largest security services group.