What this life looks like
You advise organisations on how to protect their people, assets, and operations. Security Consultants assess security risks, develop security strategies, design protective systems, and advise on security management for businesses, NGOs, embassies, mining companies, hotels, and any other organisation operating in environments with security risk. In Africa, where political instability, crime, terrorism, and conflict create significant operational security challenges, skilled security consultants are in high demand.
What she actually does
You conduct security risk assessments for organisations and their locations, develop security plans and standard operating procedures, advise on physical security measures — access control, CCTV, barriers, guard deployment, review and advise on staff safety and duty of care policies, support crisis management planning, provide security briefings and training to staff, conduct threat and vulnerability analysis, and advise on travel security for organisations operating in fragile or conflict-affected environments.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Security Consulting Firms | Control Risks, Kroll, G4S Consulting, Africa-focused security consultancies — independent advisory firms |
| Extractive Industries | Mining companies, oil and gas operators — the highest-spending private sector security clients in Africa |
| Development Sector | INGOs, UN agencies, bilateral donors — all require security risk management for operations in fragile contexts |
| Independent Consulting | Experienced security professionals often develop independent consulting practices serving multiple clients |
Why it matters in Africa
Businesses, NGOs, and diplomatic missions operating in Africa face a complex and varied security landscape — from urban crime in major cities to terrorism in the Sahel, piracy risks for maritime operations, and political instability affecting business in fragile states. Security consultants who combine genuine field experience with analytical and advisory skills are in significant demand from international organisations, extractive industries, development organisations, and increasingly, African businesses managing their own security risks.
Your pathway in
- Build a foundation in military, police, or intelligence work — most security consultants develop their expertise through operational security roles before moving to consulting
- Develop analytical skills — security risk assessment requires rigorous systematic analysis of threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences
- Pursue professional certification: the ASIS CPP (Certified Protection Professional) is the most recognised security management credential globally
- Build regional expertise — security consultants most in demand in Africa have genuine knowledge of specific country and regional risk environments
- Develop business development and client management skills — consulting is a commercial career requiring ability to win and manage client relationships
Skills you will need
- Security risk assessment methodology
- Threat and vulnerability analysis
- Security plan development
- Crisis management planning
- Briefing and training delivery
- Report writing for corporate audiences
A woman in this field
Chinenye Chizea
Nigeria
Chinenye Chizea is a prominent Nigerian cybersecurity architect, digital transformation leader, and privacy expert. She has over 20 years of experience in enterprise architecture, information security governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. She served as the first female Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). She is the Technical Lead and Consulting Security Architect for the World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) https://businessday.ng/technology/article/these-women-are-shaping-cybersecurity-in-africa/ project.
Take your first step
- Research ASIS International at asisonline.org — they are the global professional body for security management and their Certified Protection Professional (CPP) credential is the most recognised in the industry
- Study security risk assessment methodology: free frameworks from organisations like the GICHD (Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining) and Kroll's published risk assessment materials explain how professional security analysis is conducted
- Research Africa's security landscape through the Institute for Security Studies Africa (issafrica.org) and Control Risks' Africa-focused publications — understanding the specific threats in different African contexts is foundational
- Build analytical writing skills: security consultants produce reports and briefings for senior audiences and the ability to communicate risk clearly and persuasively in writing is essential