The Confederation of European Security Services (CoESS) is the European umbrella organisation for 27 national private security employers’ associations. It was founded in 1989. CoESS is the only representative European employers’ organisation defending the interests of the private security services industry. It is recognised by the European Commission (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) as a European sectoral social partner in accordance with the European Treaties.

CoESS represents 18 EU Member States and a total of 25 countries, which translates into some 50,000 private security companies employing a total of 1.8 million private security employees. The European private security services industry generates a yearly turnover of approximately € 35 billion Euros.

Over the past years, private security has evolved to a global, multi-faceted world in which providers of state of the art technology and equipment combine strengths with providers of skilled manned guarding to offer the best suited solutions and services to the government and corporate users. In Europe, these providers and users are represented by major organisations, such as:

• EOS – The European Organisation for Security, representing providers of equipment and technology-based solutions and services
• CoESS – The Confederation of European Security Services, representing providers of skilled guarding services and security systems operators
• ECSA – The European Corporate Security Association, representing corporate users of security solutions and services. 

Although the main objective of each organisation is to voice the views of its members, these three organisations share the common goal of reaching an adequate level of security, in line with the European ideals of freedom, security and justice. Through periodic consultations and where joint interests exist, they draft common position papers and voice shared views.