Security sector governance operates within a complex political environment and is closely linked to the quality of broader governance. Principles such as accountability, transparency, rule of law, effectiveness, efficiency, participation and responsibility are essential to good security governance. Achieving this requires strong checks and balances, professional leadership, sound regulatory frameworks, robust oversight mechanisms and consistent efforts to build public trust in security institutions. It also depends on good cooperation among multiple actors, including the executive, parliament and civil society, across the defence, policing and intelligence sectors. Governance failures can lead to instability, weakened rule of law and declining human security. The aim of this chapter is therefore to identify the core principles of security sector governance and to distil lessons fromSouth Africa’s experience to inform future governance reforms.