Rick Ross just hired  24-hour armed personal security to watch his back in the wake of Monday's drive-by shooting . Ross -- aka Ricky Rozay -- was already using armed bodyguards for protection at major events like concerts and public appearances ... but now he's decided he wants a full-time security detail.

Ross was targeted in a drive-by shooting in Florida, Monday morning. A car pulled up next to his car, which was a  Rolls-Royce and shots were fired. Ross lost control of his vehicle during the incident and crashed into an apartment building.

Sources that are close to Ross tell us that he had been receiving threats for awhile. The rapper didn’t seem to concerned until now. Ross considers the shooting to be an "eye-opener" and will do whatever it takes to keep himself safe.