Private Security Production

Stakeholders in the private security industry are present in the most diverse social areas—at supermarkets, at small and large (sport/music) events, in local public transports, at airports, in schools, to name only a few. In some of these, the presence of private security has developed into an unquestioned matter of course—at least as long as nothing happens. But the industry does not always have a good reputation. Certain stakeholders in private security have called this matter into question in a number of infamous incidents and the negative headlines associated with them. Such incidents put an entire industry under general suspicion of consisting only of violent, poorly trained and poorly paid security personnel. However, the (inter)national security industry is much more complex than it presents itself to the average citizen in everyday life and extends beyond the often-perceived shady sides, even if these are not to be denied. Therefore, a closer look at the industry with the aim of highlighting challenges and opportunities is worthwhile.