SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RESPONSIBLE PRIVATE SECURITY
The past year has seen significant shifts in corporate supply chain oversight with the EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the entry into force of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The CSDDD mandates due diligence to address human rights risks including those linked to private security, while the CSRD demands greater transparency in sustainability practices. These measures encourage businesses and private security providers to prioritise responsible practices and human rights compliance.
In response to these changes, ICoCA has developed a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2030 focusing on the welfare of security personnel, a just transition, enhanced accountability and the responsible use of new technologies within the industry. These efforts ensures that ICoCA continues to support its partners in navigating this evolving regulatory landscape while promoting ethical and sustainable practices. This 2024-2030 Strategic Plan aims to position ICoCA as the leading platform for setting international standards at the intersection of private security and human rights and ensuring compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law in the private security sector. The Plan is structured around five key priorities:
- Regionalisation: In today’s globalised economy, companies and private security providers are under heightened scrutiny regarding their human rights practices, particularly in high-risk contexts with weak governance and fragile rule of law. The obligation to respect human rights is universal for all corporate entities and actors, no matter where they operate. However, the diverse and complex local contexts necessitate customised approaches to human rights due diligence and risk management.
- Working conditions: Ensuring positive working conditions for private security personnel is essential for the successful and effective implementation of the International Code of Conduct. Research by ICoCA has shown that these conditions are key determinants not only for upholding human rights within the industry but also for preventing abuses by security personnel.
- Just Transition: “Just Transition” refers to the shift towards a ‘greener economy in a manner that is fair and inclusive, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind’. While the transition to renewable energy holds immense promise for combating climate change, it must be conducted with careful consideration for human rights.
- New technology: The private security industry is experiencing a significant transformation due to the integration of new technologies which complements traditional security services. These technological advancements are set to enhance the capabilities of tech-enabled private security providers, introducing innovative security services and reshaping the security market landscape. By incorporating new technologies, security providers can improve detection and prevention, enhance response times and increase overall efficiency in mitigating risks for their clients.
- Accountability: In an increasingly interconnected global economy, corporate activities in high-risk sectors—such as mining, agriculture, forestry, food production and finance—can have profound and often detrimental impacts across multiple countries.