IDG Security has a long history of providing trusted and protective services to public and private sector clients around the world since 2001. It operates in some of the world’s most dangerous environments, including Somalia, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Recently, it beat out an established competitor, the French security company Amarante International. It was on a contract with the European Union to protect its diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan. This article delves into the IDG’s rise to its high-profile mission and its history as a trusted security partner for international organisations.

1 Services

For over two decades, IDG Security has earned a global reputation as a trusted leader in the security industry by safeguarding businesses, multinational organisations, NGOs, and diplomatic missions in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Their expertise includes static site security, K9 explosive detection dog teams, training and capacity building, and security risk management. With nearly 3,000 team members, its legacy drives it to uphold the highest standards of excellence.

IDG’s Motto:

Rooted in Tradition,

Focused on Excellence

‘Hami Jasto Kohi Chhaina’. (There is Nobody Quite Like Us)

Across Southeast Asia, they deploy specialists to facilitate critical projects. It employs, manages, and sustains a significant number of personnel on behalf of its clients. All of whom benefit from world-class training, professional development opportunities, and robust duty of care measures.

In East Africa, IDG works with both major humanitarian organisations and commercial entities. Aiming to strengthen their risk management systems and processes, helping them reduce threats to their personnel and operations. It also delivers internationally accredited Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). Equipping individuals with practical, effective knowledge for operating in challenging and complex environments. [source, source, source]

2 Key figures & Background

Picture of Iaan Douglas Gordon [source]

2.1 IDG’s Origins and Founder

IDG founder Iaan Douglas Gordon was born and raised in India, which he left at the age of 17. His father was a tea planter for a large agricultural company, which allowed Gordon to interact with Gurkhas (elite soldiers from Nepal who served in the British and Indian armies) as part of his daily life. He went on to serve most of his military career with the Gurkhas in the British Army, having been commissioned into the 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles. During his service, he was deployed on active duty with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces.

Later in his career, he held the position of Assistant Commissioner with the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force. Driven by a commitment to support retired Gurkhas, he founded IDG to offer them meaningful employment. Eventually, the company expanded to include a diverse national and international workforce. He is fluent in colloquial Nepali and Arabic.

From his perspective, when he left the Singapore police, he saw in Gurkha personnel a ‘requirement’ to achieve their best potential in the private security field, as it hadn’t been achieved yet. In his opinion, the way that the personnel were recruited, trained and led before was not the same as in the British army or the Singapore Police. That was the gap that Iaan Gordon tried to fill. [source]

2.2 Post-9/11 Expansion and Global Reach

He registered his company just 70 days before 9/11. After this day, the demand for private security changed around the world and especially for Gurkhas. He started employing Gurkha soldiers and had some subcontracts with USAID. Furthermore, with the new government in Iraq, after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In 2004, he signed contracts with the United Nations in Afghanistan with Gurkhas established in the country and winning the respect of the UN as they provided a high standard of services. Over the years, they retained their contracts with the UN and recruited a large number of staff. Also, they had contracts in Somalia and Myanmar. [source]

Picture of a Nepalese soldier from the Royal Gurkha Rifles regiment of the British army. [source]

3 Recruitment process

IDG’s recruitment process in third countries like Afghanistan focuses on Gurkhas who are retired in India or Nepal, mainly because Gordon knows their background and the way that they operate. In other countries of South Asia, the recruitment process happens in person. Not through agencies, which differentiates IDG from other security companies around the globe. It establishes a personal bond with commitment between the company and its employees. The process also sidesteps the common problem of third-party recruitment in developing nations: bribes.

IDG’s direct recruitment ensures that vacancies are filled with people who have not borrowed money or are in debt because of recruiting agency fees, which can vary from a few thousand dollars in positions in the Gulf area to $10,000 in Afghanistan to much higher rates for positions in Europe or America. [source]

4 Current Success 

On 30 April 2025, the European External Action Service (EEAS) announced its decision on a highly competitive contract to provide security for the EU delegation in Afghanistan. During an intense bidding process, the $83 million, six-year contract was awarded to IDG Security, which came in as the lowest bidder at an unbeatable offer of approximately $66 million.

By selecting IDG over the previous contract holder, the French company Amarante International*, the EU chose a company with deep roots in Kabul. Also, with a proven track record of operating through successive Afghan regimes, including the current Taliban administration. IDG has provided security for operations in Afghanistan for years through its UN contracts. Especially in this region, IDG offers very competitive pricing. The highly disciplined Nepalese soldiers, who once served in the British Army, when compared to their Western counterparts, typically accept lower wages for overseas assignments, without compromising on professionalism or capability.

Rules for providing security services in Afghanistan changed under the Taliban regime. Security providers must secure a valid armed security licence signed by the new government. This makes it difficult for security companies to operate without solid relations with contacts in the new regime. Several operators and their local contacts claim that no company has been granted the crucial licence since the Taliban assumed control, but IDG claims that it holds a valid licence issued by the Afghan government. [source, source, source, source] 

*The Fall of Amarante International

Amarante International was the first Western company to return to Kabul in 2021. Its mission was to reestablish the European delegation’s operations while ensuring the departure of Taliban members who had occupied the EU mission. Amarante’s team consisted principally of local Afghan and expatriate staff and, unlike other security groups in the country, did not employ Gurkhas. The loss of the EU contract came on the heels of its indefinite expulsion from Libya in March 2025, following a Financial Oversight Authority investigation that led to accusations that Amarante violated rules for how contracts are awarded to foreign companies. In Libya, the Financial Oversight Authority is the key body responsible for financial oversight. However, it is unclear if this debacle factored into the EU’s reasoning for not renewing the company’s contract in Afghanistan. [source, source]

5 Conclusion

IDG Security’s securing of the large and high-profile EU contract presents the company with an opportunity to further prove itself in the industry. If IDG meets the EU’s security needs without major incident and is able to navigate the Taliban relationship adeptly, it could validate the EU’s choice and maybe be a potential future choice for the US. At the moment, the United States, which withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, is now preparing to hire a security firm in Kabul to support the planned reopening of its embassy. The upcoming contract for armed protection is expected to be one of the largest within the State Department’s security framework.