The International Security Ligue (ISL), established in 1934 and based in Geneva, is a global alliance of leading private security companies and national security organizations. It serves as a platform to promote professionalism, ethical practices, and international collaboration within the private security industry. Representing over 2 million security professionals across 120 countries, the ISL works closely with policymakers and global institutions, undertakes research, and develops best practices to elevate industry standards and workforce welfare, positioning private security as a vital partner in global public safety. The Ligue recently convened its 39th General Assembly of the International Security Ligue, which was held at the Lotte Hotel in New York on 15–16 September 2025.
The General Assembly convened senior leaders from the world’s foremost private security organizations to deliberate on global trends, technology disruptions, and emerging challenges shaping the security industry. The event was chaired by Mr. Magnus Ahlqvist of Securitas AB (Sweden), with Mr. Armin Berchtold serving as Secretary General of the Security Ligue. Among the key participants were leadership teams from Allied Universal (USA) represented by Ashley Almanza and Steve Jones, Prosegur (Spain) led by Christian Gut, Brink’s Company (USA) headed by Mark Eubanks, and Securitas AG (Sweden & Switzerland) represented by Armin Berchtold.
The Assembly agenda included reports since the last session held in Zurich (2023), approval of statutory matters, Board elections, and the presentation of the Ligue’s annual donation to New York Cares.
During the Leadership Forum – Private Security Track, moderated by Mr. Alper Cetingok of Raymond James & Associates, discussions centered on critical industry topics. Gerry Parham from the IBM Institute for Business Value presented on “Quantum Computing: The Next Frontier”, followed by a panel discussion in which Major Manjit Rajain was among the panellists. Chad Hoeft of Citi Bank explored the Attractiveness of the Industry to Investors, Ulrich Brechbuhl of Paladin Partners International spoke on Geopolitical Risks and the Expanding Role of Private Security, and Reid Sawyer of Marsh McLennan addressed Insurance Challenges to the Security Industry with a focus on the U.S. market.
In parallel, the Cash Chapter Forum examined the future of cash, the evolution of payment systems, and the implications of cryptocurrency, featuring insights from experts representing the Federal Reserve, Giesecke+Devrient, and Rubicon Crypto.
