Security reform in Austria: uniform standards required!

Security reform in Austria: uniform standards required!

The Association of Security Companies in Austria (VSÖ) has welcomed the recent statements by Jörg Leichtfried, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Inner, the need for uniform standards for the quality and training in private security service. Leichtfried referred to a "clear reform backlog" that endangers the security of people in public spaces, such as [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250715_ots0108/vsoe-begruesst- government project). In the current discussion, the clarification of the necessary qualifications for employees in the security industry is considered urgent.

Robert Grabovszki, General Secretary of the VSÖ, explains that Austria has fallen behind in international comparison regarding the mandatory basic training for security employees. This applies in particular to security services in sensitive areas that could be affected by considerable security gaps.

missed reforms and future regulations

A decision-making amendment to the trade regulations for security employees was already available in autumn 2024, but could not be decided due to the premature dissolution of the National Council. Future regulations should not only define uniform quality requirements, but also include fast reliability checks, visible ID cards and a central database. Grabovszki emphasizes that the quality of the security services depends crucially on the qualification of the employees and that no compromises are allowed in professionalism.

A VSÖ security study has shown that private security service providers are recognized by a quarter of the Austrian resident population as the most important element of the security architecture. In order to promote the quality in the industry, the VSÖ has been committed to certified basic training since 2001 and relies on further training opportunities in its own “Bildungszentrum Security” (BZS). The BZS offers a wide-ranging portfolio of training and further training in the security area.

educational opportunities in the security sector

In the context of the training, universities now offer bachelor and master courses in the field of security management in order to train specialists. These degrees combine business core compartments with in -depth modules in the area of security. The bachelor's degree includes various modules, including the basics of business administration and specific knowledge of security tasks. There is also a possibility of specializing in corporate security or port and air safety.

• Study content Bachelor Security Management:
  • 1. Semester: Basics of Business Administration, dealing with loads, law for security managers
  • 2. Semester: controlling, basics security management, empirical social research
  • 3. Semester: information security, security tasks, personnel management
  • 4. Semester: crisis & emergency management, intercultural competence
  • 5. Semester: Safety Management, Compliance & Risk Management
  • 6. Semester: Bachelor thesis and colloquium

In addition, there are various further training examinations such as the security specialist, for specialists or specialist merchants from various areas, essential to find progress in the industry. Dual training programs that are tailored to specific requirements of the security industry also offer a solid basis for starting this profession.

The training and qualification in the security area are crucial in order to meet the increasing requirements for security in public space. With the desired reforms, the VSÖ will further promote the professionalization of the security service.