Continuity in the leadership of Europe’s private security industry comes at a decisive moment for critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity regulation, public procurement reform and workforce development. The re-election of Friedrich P. Kötter at the CoESS General Assembly in Malta highlights the growing importance of coordinated industry representation as the European Union strengthens its security and resilience framework.
Europe’s private security industry is facing a fundamental shift in its operating environment. The protection of critical infrastructure, increasing cybersecurity requirements, geopolitical instability and persistent shortages of qualified personnel are bringing private security services closer to the centre of European security and preparedness policy. At the same time, regulatory developments in Brussels are having an increasingly direct impact on the operational responsibilities and economic conditions of security companies across Member States.
Against this background, the Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS) has confirmed its leadership team at its General Assembly in Malta. Friedrich P. Kötter, Vice-President of Germany’s Federal Association of the Security Industry (BDSW), was re-elected First Vice-President of the European industry confederation.
The other members of the leadership team also secured renewed mandates. Vinz van Es of the Netherlands remains President, Eduardo Cobas Urcelay of Spain continues as Second Vice-President, and Johan Ohlsson-Malm of Sweden retains his position as Treasurer.
The decision provides continuity in the leadership of an organisation whose responsibilities increasingly extend beyond traditional industry representation to engagement with European security regulation, labour policy and the protection of essential services.
European Security Regulation Enters a New Phase
The significance of the CoESS leadership extends beyond the national interests of its member associations. European legislation increasingly determines the regulatory framework within which security providers, their customers and operators of critical infrastructure must work.
The EU’s Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive and NIS2 Directive are particularly relevant in this context. While addressing different aspects of resilience and cybersecurity, the two frameworks reflect a broader European effort to strengthen the protection and continuity of essential services.
In July 2026, the European Commission issued additional guidance on implementing the CER Directive. The recommendations address organisational, technical and physical protection measures designed to improve resilience against natural disasters, deliberate attacks, hybrid threats and other disruptive incidents.
For the private security industry, these developments raise practical questions concerning the integration of physical protection, digital security, risk assessment and emergency preparedness. They also highlight the growing need for cooperation between infrastructure operators, public authorities and specialist security service providers.
CoESS has been seeking to ensure that the operational experience of private security companies is reflected in these European discussions.
Cybersecurity Becomes a Responsibility Across the Security Chain
The increasing connectivity of security systems is creating additional regulatory and operational challenges. Video surveillance, electronic access control, alarm management and remote monitoring increasingly rely on interconnected digital infrastructures, making cybersecurity an integral element of physical security provision.
In October 2026, CoESS and Euralarm published updated Cybersecurity Guidelines for the Security and Fire Safety Industry. The document addresses cybersecurity governance, risk assessment, connected IT and operational technology assets, incident response and business continuity.
The guidance also emphasises the allocation of responsibilities between manufacturers, installers, security service providers and customers. This reflects a central challenge for the European security market: cybersecurity cannot be treated solely as a product characteristic or an isolated IT function, but must be considered throughout the operational lifecycle of security systems.
The two organisations have also contributed to the debate surrounding the proposed revision of the EU Cybersecurity Act, including questions relating to trusted ICT supply chains.
Such initiatives demonstrate the growing relevance of European industry coordination as technological dependencies and regulatory obligations become more complex.
Public Procurement Reform and the Quality of Security Services
Another significant issue is the future of European public procurement.
Together with the European trade union federation UNI Europa, CoESS has called for a stronger emphasis on service quality, professional qualifications and employment conditions in the award of public security contracts.
Both organisations argue that procurement decisions driven primarily by the lowest price can undermine training, service quality and fair working conditions. In a sector directly involved in protecting public facilities, critical infrastructure and essential services, these shortcomings can also affect operational preparedness and security performance.
The ongoing debate on revising EU public procurement rules therefore represents an important opportunity for the industry to advocate for more consistent quality criteria and responsible contracting practices.
For security providers operating across different European markets, the outcome could have consequences for competitive conditions, workforce investment and the standards applied to publicly commissioned security services.
Workforce Shortages as a European Security Challenge
The availability of qualified personnel is another issue shared by security companies across Europe.
Technological developments are changing professional requirements, while demographic pressures and recruitment difficulties are affecting the sector’s ability to attract and retain employees.
In May 2026, CoESS and UNI Europa adopted their joint work programme for the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Private Security Services for 2026–2028.
The programme identifies professional training, skills development, working conditions, social inclusion and crisis preparedness as priorities. It also addresses the implications of digitalisation and artificial intelligence for security occupations.
The organisations regard labour shortages not merely as an economic challenge for employers, but as a potential structural weakness in Europe’s wider security and preparedness capabilities.
This is particularly relevant in areas where private security personnel contribute to the protection of airports, transport infrastructure, healthcare facilities, energy installations and other essential services.
A Stronger Voice in Europe’s Security Architecture
For the German BDSW, Kötter’s re-election confirms the continued participation of Germany’s private security industry in the leadership of the European confederation.
BDSW President Werner Landstorfer emphasised following the vote that a substantial proportion of the regulatory framework affecting security businesses is now shaped at European level. In his view, the practical experience and operational requirements of the industry must therefore be incorporated into the policy process at an early stage.
Kötter’s continued involvement also represents institutional continuity. He has served as CoESS First Vice-President since 2014 and has previously been active in the confederation’s governing bodies and airport security work.
However, the wider importance of the Malta decision lies in the collective European agenda facing the newly confirmed leadership.
As the European Union places greater emphasis on preparedness, critical infrastructure resilience and the management of hybrid threats, private security providers are increasingly expected to contribute to the continuity of essential operations.
Their role is evolving from the provision of individual protective services towards participation in more integrated security arrangements involving public authorities, infrastructure operators and technology providers.
The challenge for CoESS will be to translate this growing recognition into practical policy outcomes: regulatory requirements that can be implemented effectively, public procurement rules that reward professional standards, and workforce strategies capable of supporting the sector’s expanding responsibilities.
The re-election of the confederation’s leadership provides continuity at an important stage in that process. Whether Europe’s private security industry succeeds in securing a more clearly defined position within the continent’s security and resilience architecture will depend increasingly on its ability to demonstrate operational value and speak with a coordinated voice at European level.
Sources: BDSW, press release of 16 October 2026; CoESS, European Social Dialogue Work Programme 2026–2028; CoESS/Euralarm, Cybersecurity Guidelines for the Security and Fire Safety Industry, October 2026; European Commission, guidance on the Critical Entities Resilience Directive, July 2026.
