Introducing André Mundell
André Mundell is the visionary founder of Alwinco, South Africa’s leading independent physical security risk assessment consultancy. With over 40 years in law enforcement and security, André is widely regarded as one of the field’s most respected figures. His journey began in the South African Police Service, where he spent 21 years specializing in crime investigation. This frontline experience provided deep insight into the criminal mind, crime scenes, and the root causes behind many security failures.
Following his service in the SAPS,
André spent the next 20 years conducting independent security risk assessments across a wide range of sectors. From schools, hospitals, government-owned properties, shopping malls, and mines to residential estates, farms, and corporate offices, he has helped organizations across South Africa identify and eliminate real-world security risks.
His extensive fieldwork led to the development of Reverse Crime Engineering, a methodology that examines incidents retrospectively to uncover the true source of security risks. This approach allows André to pinpoint security risks others overlook and implement practical, evidence-based strategies for prevention.
In 2006, André founded Alwinco with a clear mission:
To provide objective, independent security risk assessments without any ties to product suppliers or service providers.
André was regularly approached by clients who had suffered losses and wanted to understand if their existing security measures had been designed correctly. These calls for clarity revealed an urgent need for a consultancy that prioritized factual, client-focused risk identification. In addition, he uncovered a disturbing trend in the industry: the careless sharing of sensitive client information by consultants and security companies. This violation of confidentiality underscored the importance of a practice built on trust, integrity, and discretion.
At the heart of André’s philosophy is prevention through knowledge.
He believes that security should not be reactive but rather a proactive and ongoing process. His approach involves the assessment of all aspects of a property’s security framework, people, procedures, technology, and management systems, to identify weaknesses and recommend risk-specific solutions. He operates on the principle that once individuals and organizations fully understand the risks they face, the necessary corrective actions tend to follow naturally.
André’s independence is the foundation of Alwinco’s credibility.
The company does not sell, install, or maintain security products, and it earns no commissions. This guarantees that all recommendations remain impartial and truly serve the best interest of the client.
ALWINCO’s founder, André Mundell, received the prestigious 2025 Outstanding Security Performance Award (OSPA), one of the highest international honors in the security industry. The OSPAs recognize exceptional performance, integrity, and measurable impact in security risk management, judged by a global panel of independent experts.
André’s award reflects ALWINCO’s commitment to independent thinking.
Real-world results and a deep understanding of risk from a criminal’s perspective. This achievement validates ALWINCO’s approach to security as grounded in honest, expert assessment rather than assumptions or marketing, underscoring the company’s credibility and dedication to excellence. Read more:
How André’s Experience Evolved
While serving as a Special Projects Manager at ADT, André began to question why, despite technological advancements, crime rates remain high. He was intrigued by the inconsistent attitudes toward security and launched a personal fact-finding mission. This led to interviews with victims, suspects, convicted criminals, and experts in criminology and criminal investigation.
It became clear that the key to effective security lies in understanding, assessing, and managing risk.
This realization shaped André’s philosophy that proper security management starts with a comprehensive risk assessment. His experience, dating back to 1985, has consistently demonstrated that crime does not disappear; it adapts. The consequences of unmanaged security risks are far-reaching and affect both the economy and broader society.
Driven by this understanding, André registered Alwinco in 2006 and left ADT in 2008 to dedicate himself full-time to the business. His passion for risk management is evident in every aspect of his work. To date, André has written many articles for Hi-Tech Security Solutions and continues to share thought leadership in the security industry. A quick internet search for his name, “André Mundell,” reveals the extent of his work and influence.
A Practical Expert in a Theoretical World
Andrés, practical experience surpasses academic qualifications. Over 36 years, he gained hands-on experience in the SAPS, private security, and 20 years of independent security risk assessments. He has assessed over 600 properties, far exceeding the experience of most professionals in the field.
His expertise spans a wide range of environments, including VIP residences, educational institutes, campuses, office parks, high-risk businesses, municipalities, warehouses, and properties in the tourism sector. Each assessment is informed by his unique ability to view security from the view of a criminal. A skill developed through countless real-life encounters with crime scenes.
This rare viewpoint allows André to identify security risks that others might overlook.
He understands the interconnected nature of all components within a security framework. From control room operations and evidence handling to policies and procedures, access control, and communication, just to name a few.
Andre produces detailed security risk assessment reports that offer practical and actionable risk-specific solutions. The Provided solutions mitigate and eliminate every security risk. His reports are known for their clarity, objectivity, and focus on sustainable implementation.
What Sets André Apart
Many professionals in the security field hold only two or three positions during their careers. In contrast, André’s work has exposed him to an extraordinary variety of properties, people, and threats. This broad exposure has provided him with insights that simply cannot be learned from books or confined within a single organization.
His practical understanding of security, risk mitigation, and real-world implementation far outweighs the limitations of theoretical learning. It is this deep, experience-based knowledge that makes him a sought-after speaker at conferences and workshops.
André Mundell is more than a security expert.
He is a pioneer who has reshaped the way we think about physical security in South Africa. Through Alwinco, he continues to set the standard for what independent, client-focused security risk assessment should look like.
Visit the Alwinco and ISCSA websites to learn more about André’s work and how he helps organizations nationwide create safer, more resilient environments.