Private Security Summit Held at TOBB: Emphasis on Public-Private Cooperation in Security

Ankara – The Private Security Summit, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and TOBB (The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey), highlighted the sector's size, contribution to employment, and support for public security. The KAAN, ÖGNET, and ÖZGE projects were also introduced at the summit.

The Private Security Summit was held at TOBB Twin Towers, an initiative of the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Security, Private Security Supervision Department, and the TOBB Turkey Private Security Services Sector Council. The opening speeches of the summit were delivered by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, and TOBB Turkey Private Security Services Council President Serdar Gökhan Arıkan.

The program was also attended by Gendarmerie General Commander General Ali Çardakcı, Director General of Security Mahmut Demirtaş, Head of Private Security Supervision Suat Çelik, Güvenlik-İş Union General Chairman Ömer Çağırıcı, and union executives.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu drew attention to the complementary role of private security guards in public security, emphasizing that the sector has reached a size of 5 billion euros and provides employment for 400,000 people. He stated that the sector is not only about security but also a significant area contributing to the economy.

Hisarcıklıoğlu also stressed the importance of supporting the sector with undergraduate programs for its institutionalization and the training of qualified personnel. He stated, "Our sector is not just a temporary employment area; it is also a sustainable, respectable career path."

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, on the other hand, stated that security is a fundamental condition for investment, production, and social peace, expressing that Turkey has undergone a serious reform process in security in recent years. Yerlikaya referred to investments in domestic defense industry products and new generation security infrastructures, stating that the private security sector is a strategic force supporting public security.

At the summit, digital projects implemented in the private security field, such as KAAN, ÖGNET, and ÖZGE, were also on the agenda. TOBB Private Security Council President Serdar Gökhan Arıkan stated that these projects bring digitalization and specialization to the sector, announcing that a branch-based training period will begin soon with the upcoming ÖZGE project.

At the end of the summit, certificates were presented to private security officers who were successful in the KAAN application. The certificates were presented by Güvenlik-İş General Chairman Ömer Çağırıcı and sector representatives.