In this video we look at what the security sector actually consists of. It is a sector of government like any other and much the same rules apply. A simple, core definition of the security sector is proposed, and we then look at three sets of actors in and around it: those who are involved in the security sector itself (essentially the security ministries and their operational arms), those who are associated because they have a legal or constitutional function (the Finance Ministry, Parliament, the Courts), and those (and there are many) who would like to influence the security sector.
In this video, we look at the component parts of the security sector - the military, police, intelligence services etc. how and why they developed historically and what they do. We relate them to the levels of security - strategic, operational and tactical - discussed in the first lecture. We look at how the different security forces originated, and the problems of deciding which security force (and which level of force) is appropriate in a given situation.
In this video, we look at the security sector as a whole. We first discuss the need for an overarching security policy, as a subset of government policy as a whole, This policy need not be highly detailed or complex, and should steer clear of normative ideas and unattainable goals. It should, however, provide a basis for deriving missions for the security sector, requiring the development and implementation of capabilities to make them possible. Some coordination mechanisms are also required.
