3. Security Sector

Providing security for men, women, boys and girls is one of the key functions of every state. While there is no exhaustive and universally accepted definition of the security sector, generally it is understood to encompass state- and non-state security actors, as well as all the structures, institutions and personnel responsible for provision, management and oversight of security. It is important to recognize that components of the security sector are always country-specific and will differ depending on the national context.

Select each tab to reveal the explanation.

Management and Oversight: State Actors

  • Executive bodies (e.g., national security council)
  • Government ministries (e.g., ministries for defence, the interior, justice and finance)
  • Parliament and its specialized committees
  • Prosecution services
  • Judiciary
  • Special statutory institutions (e.g., ombuds institutions, human rights bodies, anti-corruption bodies or independent complaint authorities)

Management and Oversight: Non-State Actors

  • Civil society (e.g., national and international NGOs monitoring corruption, ill-treatment and human rights violations by security actors)
  • Media (e.g., investigative journalism on security-related issues)
  • Academia and think tanks (e.g., research on military spending)
  • The public (e.g., individuals involved in security-related advocacy and policy debates)
  • Customary and traditional authorities (e.g., village councils)

State Security Actors

 

  • Armed forces
  • National guard
  • Police services
  • Gendarmeries
  • Border guards
  • Coast guards
  • Customs authorities
  • Prisons and penitentiary services
  • Executive protection forces (e.g. presidential guard)
  • Intelligence services
  • Emergency services
  • Other internal security forces

Non-State Security Actors

 
  • Private military and security companies
  • Community security initiatives
  • Neighbourhood volunteer patrols
  • Self-defence groups
  • Customary security providers
  • Non-statutory armed forces (i.e., unofficial armed groups, such as guerrilla forces/militia)