Everyone and every "thing" is becoming smarter. That "smartness" is meant to suggest the broad and growing range of human individual and collective activity that is now enhanced by and soon perhaps driven, ordered, and managed through, technology. (Posting
Text of "Smart Court (智慧法院 ), Smarter Party: A Necessary but Incomplete
Interpenetration") These technologies can range from the mundane--the digitization of aspects of collective interaction, to the digitalization of human interactions, especially with State or private organs, through technologies approaching the self-ordering possibilities of simulated worlds applied to human life ('The Soulful Machine, the Virtual Person, and the “Human” Condition', International Journal for the Semiotics of Law).
One aspect of these transformations that deserve attention is in the context of the operation of private security organizations. Those concerns are nicely encapsulated in the April-June Newsletter of The International Code of Conduct Association – ICoCA--"Technology and the future of private security." ICoCA "is a multi-stakeholder initiative formed in 2013 to ensure that providers of private security services respect human rights and humanitarian law. It serves as the governance and oversight mechanism of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers." (ICoCA--About). The ICoCa summarizes the contents of then Newsletter this way:
This edition of ICoCA's newsletter focuses on the growing use of technology in private security. From digital surveillance to cybersecurity, private security companies are expanding beyond their traditional “boots on the ground” services to offer a range of ICT-based services. These developments raise new ethical and legal challenges. ICoCA remains committed to promoting their responsible use in line with human rights and international law. Learn more in this edition.
A summary of the Contents with links follows below. A French version of this newsletter is available here.
Perhaps especially interesting to those working in the field of tech enhanced social ordering are two reports--one a policy brief, and a research report part of the ICoCA's research series, both titled "Ensuring responsible security in the digital age."
Responsible use of technology is a key strategic priority for ICoCA. To support this, ICoCA has initiated research and consultations to provide clear guidance to private security providers, technology companies and users. The insights in the policy brief and research report below are based on extensive consultations held throughout 2024, including field missions, interviews and workshops with industry experts, private security companies and civil society organisations. The key findings and recommendations were further reviewed at a consultative workshop held in Geneva in March 2025. As new technologies continue to transform the security landscape, ICoCA remains committed to helping the industry navigate this evolution responsibly – ensuring that respect for human rights is embedded throughout.
The Introduction to the Policy Brief also follows below.
| Navigating new frontiers: The human story behind technology in private security |
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As private security companies increasingly adopt technologies like drones, facial recognition and AI, new ethical and legal questions arise, especially concerning the human cost of replacing people with machines.
This editorial reflects on these concerns, highlighting Goal 4 of ICoCA’s 2024–2030 Strategic Plan: addressing the human rights implications of new technologies. |
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| Ensuring responsible security in the digital age |
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Responsible use of technology is a key strategic priority for ICoCA. To support this, ICoCA has initiated research and consultations to provide clear guidance to private security providers, technology companies and users. The insights in the policy brief and research report below are based on extensive consultations held throughout 2024, including field missions, interviews and workshops with industry experts, private security companies and civil society organisations. The key findings and recommendations were further reviewed at a consultative workshop held in Geneva in March 2025. As new technologies continue to transform the security landscape, ICoCA remains committed to helping the industry navigate this evolution responsibly – ensuring that respect for human rights is embedded throughout. |
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| ICoCA's 2nd Responsible Security Forum: Advancing responsible security in the digital age |
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The second edition of ICoCA's Responsible Security Forum, held on 26 and 27 March 2025, focused on the responsible use of technology in private security. The event included a consultative workshop and a public webinar, bringing together industry leaders, legal professionals and policymakers.
The workshop explored how emerging technologies are reshaping the private security sector and what this means for regulation, governance and human rights. This article summarises the key discussions and recommendations that emerged – from regulatory gaps and ethical dilemmas to broader governance challenges posed by new technologies. |
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During the webinar, experts discuss the growing role of technology, key governance and accountability challenges, and share insights from the ICoCA & ICT4Peace Foundation Toolkit to inform best practices. These discussions aim to support the development of frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring ethical and accountable security operations. |
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| Did AI Break the Code? The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers and Emerging Technologies |
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In light of the rapid technological transformation within the private security and military company (PSMC) sector, Dr Asaf Lubin examines potential steps for achieving Goal 4 – the integration of human rights standards concerning new technologies into the Code – as set out in ICoCA’s Strategic Plan 2024–2030. |
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| From Boots on the Ground to Bytes in Cyberspace |
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In partnership with ICT4Peace and with support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, ICoCA launched a comprehensive Toolkit to guide private security companies in the ethical and responsible use of technology. This resource helps PSCs of all sizes navigate the evolving impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on human rights.Featuring 12 interconnected yet standalone tools, the Toolkit addresses key aspects of ICT use, empowering PSCs to operate with integrity and respect for human rights. |
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| Introducing the 2025 ICoCA Responsible Security Awards |
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ICoCA is delighted to announce the first edition of the ICoCA Responsible Security Awards. Designed to identify, document and share responsible private security practices, this year’s awards are produced with support from the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
ICoCA Member and Affiliate Companies, ICoCA Member Civil Society Organisations and ICoCA Observers are encouraged to share to share their activities that demonstrate the furthering of responsible business practices, as outlined in ICoCA’s 2024-30 Strategic Plan, particularly in relation to Goal 3: Just Transition.
In addition to receiving their award, winners will have their best practices developed into mini case studies to be featured on the ICoCA website and blog, in webinars and in training materials.Further details and how to submit entries will be shared soon — stay tuned! |
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| Membership and certification |
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Member monitoring
ICoCA handles complaints and monitors its Members and Affiliates regarding their compliance with the Code through remote tracking, mandatory reporting, in person site visits and through its civil society network. ICoCA is regularly publishing data on its monitoring and complaints functions, including allegations received.
To read the 2025 summary monitoring update, click here. |
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ICoCA was pleased to welcome 9 new Certified Members, Transitional Members and Affiliates from April to June 2025:- Abna'a Al-Iraq Security, Iraq (Transitional Member)
- Al Waha Company for Security Guards and Protections LTD, Iraq (Certified Member)
- All Care Security, Egypt (Transitional Member)
- Askar Security Services Limited, Uganda (Transitional Member)
- DGP De Giorgi Protection GmbH, Switzerland (Affiliate)
- Eagle Security Service Company, Somalia (Transitional Member)
- Iraqi Sword for International Security Ltd, Iraq (Transitional Member)
- Shabeel, Somalia (Transitional Member)
- Undercover Code Global SA, Spain (Affiliate)
You can find the full Membership update for Q2 2025 here. |
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| Save the date for ICoCA's 12th AGA! |
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ICoCA will host its 12th Annual General Assembly (AGA) online during the first week of December 2025, in line with our commitment to wider global participation for our Members, Affiliates and Observers.
Stay tuned for more details and the registration link coming soon! |
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Ensuring Responsible Security in the Digital Age
Policy Brief
ICoCAIntroduction
Page 6
INTRODUCTION
This policy brief takes stock of the transformative changes reshaping
the private security industry, driven by the integration of advanced
technologies. This transformation calls for a review of the governance
and regulation of private security in the digital era.
These technologies are revolutionising the scope and
methods of private security companies (PSCs), enabling
them to expand from traditional physical “boots on the
ground” services to digital intelligence operations and
cybersecurity. Concurrently, tech companies are entering
the security sector, further blurring the lines between
physical and virtual security services. This evolution
presents both opportunities for improved security
services and significant challenges, particularly regarding
human rights and legal compliance in complex and poorly
regulated environments.
The use of technologies such as AI-enhanced surveillance
systems, drones and open-source intelligence platforms
by PSCs raises critical ethical, legal, human rights and
international humanitarian law (IHL) concerns. In contexts
such as conflict zones, border management or law
enforcement, these technologies have been used to track
individuals, collect sensitive data and support operations
that mirror state-level intelligence activities. They are also
widely used for policing, monitoring employees at the
workplace or guarding private properties. Such practices
risk infringing on privacy and other civil and political rights,
enabling arbitrary detention, curtailing workers rights or
exacerbating existing inequalities.
According to ICoCA field observations and research, the
sector is largely unaware of the human rights and IHL risks
posed by using technologies. Even worse, most PSCs lack
both the ability and the knowledge to responsibly engage
in the use of advanced technologies, especially in the
acquisition and management of substantial amounts of
data, where legal requirements can be unclear.
The International Code of Conduct for Private Security
Service Providers (the Code), developed to regulate PSCs’
activities, applies to the use of technologies. The operations
of PSCs, such as surveillance or intelligence, are covered
broadly in both the spirit and commitments of the Code,
notwithstanding the means and methods they use to
provide these services. However, the Code had not yet
been interpreted with tech in mind. Recognising this need,
the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA),
in partnership with ICT4Peace, has recently developed a
Toolkit1 for the responsible use of technology in the private
security sector, guiding PSCs in the responsible use of
technology while ensuring compliance with regulatory and
human rights standards. The Toolkit provides practical
guidance for PSCs to align their use of technology with
international legal frameworks, offering tools to mitigate
risks and promote ethical practices.
This policy brief explores four key areas. After restating the
relevance and clarifying the application of the Code to the
use of advanced tech, it examines the shift from traditional
guarding services to technology-driven security operations
and the transformation of the sector with tech companies
entering the market. It highlights some of the key
challenges posed by advanced surveillance technologies
and the collaboration between private security providers
and states, including violations of privacy, data misuse and
potential abuses in conflict and law enforcement contexts.
Adapting the regulation and governance of private
security to the digital age also represents a challenge for
ICoCA. Significant efforts will be needed in the coming
years to disseminate the Toolkit, strengthen oversight
mechanisms, review the Code and reach out to new
actors in security with a view to safeguarding human
rights in the era of digital security. The final part of the
brief discusses the question of the implementation of the
Code to new technological realities, emphasising the need
for interpretation, clarification and regulatory updates to
address the industry’s evolving landscape.
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