For the third issue in our Executive Protection Organizations Worldwide series, we talked with the team behind ICoCa.
Give a brief overview about your association (short history, why it was created etc.)
ICoCA, the Responsible Security Association, is the leading international organisation dedicated to promoting responsible, transparent and accountable private security practices worldwide that respect human rights, international humanitarian law and the rule of law, safeguarding communities through robust oversight, collaboration and capacity building.
Established in 2013, ICoCA oversees compliance with the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (“the Code”), which was introduced in 2010 to address concerns about unregulated private security activities in conflict zones and high-risk environments. Grounded in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international norms, ICoCA fosters private security practices that align with globally recognised standards through a multi-stakeholder approach and a robust framework of certification, monitoring and grievance mechanisms.
By integrating human rights due diligence into the operations of its Member and Affiliate companies and collaborating closely with governments, civil society, and industry, ICoCA mitigates risks of substandard practices in challenging environments and global supply chains. Its diverse membership and commitment to accountability make it a unique organisation addressing human rights and humanitarian law risks in the private security industry.
What kind of professional development opportunities do your members experience?
Members and Affiliates of ICoCA enjoy a diverse range of professional development opportunities aimed at fostering continuous growth while upholding the highest standards of human rights and operational excellence.
One of the key components is our rigorous certification and accreditation process. Companies seeking membership undergo a thorough evaluation to validate their adherence to the Code and relevant standards. This process includes comprehensive assessments that promote compliance and ongoing improvement, enabling Members and Affiliates to enhance their processes, policies, and operational efficiencies.
We also offer specialised training programmes tailored to our Members and Affiliates’ needs, focusing on crucial topics such as human rights, the Code, the use of force and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. These online training courses equip Members and Affiliates with essential knowledge and skills, supporting their professional growth.
Additionally, ICoCA provides access to a wealth of resources and guidance, including guidelines, reports, and case studies. These materials help Members and Affiliates stay informed about the latest developments and trends in the industry, enabling them to adapt and innovate in their practices.
Regular workshops and seminars create a platform for Members and Affiliates to engage with experts, discuss emerging issues and share knowledge on various aspects of private security and human rights. These interactive sessions encourage collaboration and facilitate learning among Members and Affiliates, promoting a culture of innovation and best practices.
What are the benefits of a Membership to your association only unique to you?
Membership in ICoCA offers several unique benefits that set us apart. One of the most significant advantages is our robust certification process tailored specifically for private security service providers. This process establishes clear standards for ethical practices and provides a globally recognised framework for compliance, in line with international standards and norms. This allows Members and Affiliates to demonstrate their commitment to responsible security operations, enhancing their credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of clients and stakeholders.
An increasing number of businesses and corporations now require ICoCA membership as a prerequisite for contract opportunities with private security providers (PSPs). Being a part of ICoCA signals to potential clients that a company adheres to high ethical standards, helping them meet regulatory requirements. This gives Members and Affiliates a competitive edge in the marketplace and ensures they are preferred partners for organisations that prioritise responsible and accountable private security practices.
A multi-stakeholder initiative, ICoCA brings together governments, civil society organisations, private security providers, and their clients to collaborate on best practices and shared challenges. This collaborative environment not only enables Members and Affiliates to engage in meaningful dialogue and gain insights from diverse perspectives but also creates valuable networking opportunities. By connecting with various stakeholders, Members and Affiliates can facilitate continuous improvement and innovation in their practices while expanding their professional networks within the industry.
How would you enforce or monitor members to ensure they’re following your industry standards?
ICoCA monitors its Members and Affiliates in several ways. First, they are required to submit an annual report to the Association based on a set of 450+ Code based indicators. Companies that fail to report are expelled from the Association. ICoCA also conducts monitoring missions, visiting companies in country and meeting with their clients and other relevant stakeholders.
The certification scheme described above ensures that Certified Members undergo in-person external audits every three years, along with annual checks. Additionally, ICoCA’s civil society pillar plays a critical role as eyes and ears on the ground, gathering intelligence and helping companies raise their standards in compliance with the Code. As an Association, ICoCA’s network is also an important conduit for gathering and sharing information and intelligence about both Members and non-Members alike.
Why should practitioners or EP companies only adopt your standards and not others? What sets you apart compared to other organizations and standards?
ICoCA is the only multi-stakeholder initiative mandated to raise standards in the private security sector, with no competitors in this space. ICoCA’s certification scheme is linked to a number of international standards.
To attain ICoCA certification, a company must first meet at least one of the ICoCA-recognised standards (currently ISO 18788, ISO 28007, and/or PSC.1) through an approved Certification Body. This last requirement is critical as ICoCA establishes minimum requirements for Certification Bodies themselves, ensuring end users can trust that robust audits have been conducted by industry specialists.
What sets ICoCA apart from other multi-stakeholder initiatives, therefore, are its rigorous diligence processes, including third-party verification to recognised international standards. These processes provide clients with unparalleled confidence in the standards upheld and bring transparency to a sector often considered opaque.
While ICoCA’s remit is relatively narrow, in that it doesn’t cover the full range of potential human rights risks a company may be confronted with, its deep expertise and specialised knowledge of private security risks give clients the confidence that rigorous human rights due diligence are conducted on one of the highest-risk areas of their value chain.
What impact do you see the standards making in 5 years? Which challenges do you need to overcome to accomplish your standardization goals?
In five years, we envision that the ICoCA standards will play a crucial role in enhancing integrity and accountability within the private security sector. By establishing a unified benchmark, we expect to foster greater trust between security providers and their clients, ultimately leading to more transparent, legally compliant, and ethical practices across the industry. This culture of continuous improvement will not only elevate operational excellence but also ensure that security services are aligned with international human rights standards.
However, one significant hurdle in achieving these goals is securing buy-in from a diverse range of stakeholders, as some may be resistant to change or hesitant to adopt new standards, which have a cost. Additionally, we must ensure that all companies, particularly smaller firms, have access to the necessary resources and training to comply effectively. Enhancing mechanisms for monitoring compliance and addressing any violations will also be essential to maintain the integrity of our standards. Finally, we must remain agile in adapting to new and emerging security risks, ensuring that our standards evolve in tandem with the changing landscape.
By addressing these challenges through collaborative efforts and open dialogue with all stakeholders, we are confident that ICoCA can successfully drive meaningful change in the sector.
How will your organization expand globally and bring the standards worldwide?
As a multi-stakeholder initiative, ICoCA is committed to global growth by actively engaging with international stakeholders, including private security companies, their clients, governments, and civil society organisations. We will continue to leverage our existing network to build impactful partnerships that facilitate the adoption of our standards in various regions.
To raise awareness about our standards and their significance in promoting ethical and legally tested practices within the private security sector, we will participate in global forums and regional initiatives. This includes attending industry-specific events and engaging high-risk sectors like extractives, where security challenges are most pronounced.
Recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, ICoCA will prioritise customised human rights due diligence for PSPs operating in diverse, high-risk contexts. We will emphasise local engagement and integrate regional dynamics into risk management strategies. By focusing on tailored solutions, ICoCA aims to ensure that PSPs respect human rights while adapting international standards to local realities, especially in areas with weak governance.
Are there any technological advancements you’re currently using you think could benefit others in the industry?
Like many organisations, the pandemic forced ICoCA to adapt its operating model, particularly regarding its training programmes. Back in March 2020, we were about to send staff to Haiti to conduct in-person training on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, but travel restrictions and lockdowns required us to rethink our approach.
This shift has worked to our advantage in many ways. Since then, we’ve developed an online training platform with courses available in multiple languages for employees of all our Member and Affiliate companies who have internet access. While it’s not perfect and there are still accessibility issues related to technology and literacy, we can now reach a much wider audience at a fraction of the cost. We’re also able to share resources through our learning platform, which has been well-received by our companies.
How will the industry benefit from your association in the near future?
Through our 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, ICoCA aims to elevate international standards for human rights and humanitarian law in the private security industry by focusing on four main areas.
First, we will advocate for fair employment standards for the over 30 million security personnel we estimate to work in the sector worldwide, addressing critical issues such as low wages and inadequate training. By promoting fair labour practices, we aim to create safer working environments for both security personnel and the communities they protect.
Second, we will enhance accountability for human rights abuses through improved monitoring and grievance procedures. By establishing robust mechanisms for reporting violations, we ensure that victims have better access to justice, aligning our efforts with international frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Third, as the industry evolves, ICoCA will focus on promoting responsible security practices in the just energy transition. Given the impending rush for critical minerals facilitating this transition, many of which are found in fragile and complex contexts, we will collaborate with stakeholders to address the unique challenges of protecting resources while respecting community rights.
Finally, ICoCA will tackle the ethical use of new technologies like AI and drones within the private security sector. By setting clear standards and regulatory frameworks, we aim to mitigate risks associated with these innovations and promote responsible deployment in security operations.
Overall, ICoCA’s initiatives will foster a more accountable, responsible, and human rights-oriented private security sector, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
What do you think about the results of the UNI Global Union survey saying that “One in five security workers feel “very unsafe” in their jobs and that approximately 50% have experienced at least one form of harassment or discrimination on the job?” How do you believe that could be remedied?
The survey findings are deeply concerning and highlight critical issues within the private security sector, particularly regarding personnel working conditions. They echo our research conducted with UNI Global Union and the University of Denver from 2022 to 2023, resulting in the study “𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘳“. In alignment with ICoCA’s mission, this research examined working conditions in the private security industry through a human rights lens, assessing their impact on personnel rights and their influence on how personnel treat the public.
The human rights community often views uniformed personnel as potential abusers, overlooking their experiences and the necessity to improve their working conditions to prevent misuse of power. Our research highlights the “race to the bottom” phenomenon in the private security industry, driven by clients and companies cutting costs, leading to minimum wages and inadequate working conditions.
Clients of private security providers are crucial to this improvement, as they shape industry standards by establishing benchmarks that PSPs must meet. From procurement to contract monitoring and incident reporting, clients can drive higher standards. However, cost often takes precedence over quality, with many companies opting for the lowest bids. By paying fair prices and demanding standards like ICoCA Certification, clients not only encourage security companies to invest in vetting, training, and fair treatment of employees but also protect their own reputation. Prioritising cost over quality can result in reduced staff training, lower wages, and longer hours, which poses risks to both organisations and communities.
Our findings propose solutions and urge clients, authorities and PSPs to eliminate exploitative practices within the sector, emphasising that investing in secure, fair working conditions is an investment in their own integrity and public trust.
