Heads of Corporate Security in the Era of Global Security

Based on an unpublished survey of the internal security services of some major French corporations, this article analyzes the status, position and role of the “security director”. Although relatively unknown, this person is an important figure in various police entities in an age of emerging ideology on global security, propagated by various neo-conservative think-tanks with close links to the military-industrial complex as well as corporate leaders with international influence. The article explores three dimensions. Firstly, it addresses the cognitive, normative and ethical issues faced by the holder of this position from the perspective of preventing risk and threats within the corporation. Secondly, it identifies the tension that exists between two logics of action: convincing management of the relative value of investing in security, while complying with non-negotiable protection imperatives within areas of critical importance identified by governments. Finally, it offers an explanation for the massive redeployment of military and police officers into these positions, an honorable organizational compromise that is likely, with public safety in mind, to reduce conflicts of interest between the logic of the State and the logic of the market.