THE FUTURE OF SECURITY: TECH AND HUMAN RIGHTS RISKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The private security industry is evolving rapidly with new technologies transforming traditional roles and introducing new services. From drones and CCTV to cybersecurity and digital intelligence, Private Security Companies (PSCs) are at the forefront of this change. However, this technological shift also brings significant human rights risks, particularly around data privacy and the potential misuse of information.

At ICoCA, we’ve been working with the ICT4Peace Foundation to explore these challenges and assist companies in navigating this new landscape responsibly. This week in South Africa, we are conducting site visits, including one at 24/7 Security Services, and hosting workshops with PSCs in collaboration with the Security Association of South Africa (SASA), as well as with academic and civil society leaders at the University of Pretoria. These sessions are helping us gain insights into the challenges posed by new technologies and are instrumental in developing our upcoming toolkit for the responsible use of technology by PSCs. We sincerely thank SASA and the University of Pretoria for their support and collaboration in these efforts.

This visit is offering valuable insights into South Africa’s rapidly growing private security industry. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has rebounded strongly, with consistent year-on-year growth in registered security businesses and active officers. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore how a robust, well-regulated industry with a pre-existing regulatory framework is adapting to new technological advancements.

Stay tuned for the release of our toolkit and policy brief on the responsible use of tech in private security, which will provide crucial guidance on managing these emerging risks while upholding human rights standards.