ARMED SECURITY GUARDS IN HUNGARY: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT, LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES
Keywords:
private security, public safety, armed security guardAbstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to present the institution of armed security guards in Hungary, outlining significant historical events, the evolution of protected assets, and tracing the development of technological support used in security.
Approach: Every country has a vested interest in protecting objects of critical importance for state operations, public welfare, irreplaceable cultural heritage, and assets vital to national defense, national security, and law enforcement. Certain sectors, such as nuclear energy and international air transport security, are governed by international regulations, though their organizational forms are determined by national legislation. Typically, police and military forces undertake these responsibilities. However, uniquely at a global scale, Hungary has established armed security guards for these purposes. The minister responsible for law enforcement, defense, and national security has the authority to mandate the protection of these assets and to require their owners or operators to finance their own security measures. Traditionally, armed security guards protect, among others, international airports, nuclear facilities, critical infrastructure vulnerable to disasters, and public utility systems essential for the population.
Previously, only the police were authorized to mandate armed security protection. Since 2011, this authority has been extended to the leaders of relevant ministries, allowing them to order security measures for organizations and facilities under their jurisdiction. This includes directives from the Minister of Defense and the Minister overseeing intelligence services. A governmental decree introduced in 2024 regulates the issuance of specialized personal and asset protection certificates, defining state requirements for explosive detection measures to protect specific facilities and events.
Findings: Expanding on this framework, there is growing demand—particularly from institutions under state responsibility—for enhanced security regulations in public and higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, and hospitals. Professional advocacy groups and academic communities propose that security could be strengthened through armed security guards.
Value: The competencies of armed security guards have expanded into areas such as corrections, border protection, and immigration detention facilities. To enhance their technical capabilities in these roles, armed security guards need broader authorization regarding the use of surveillance cameras, drones, and non-lethal weapons (tasers).
Key words: private, security, public security, armed security guard
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