Security measures are all around us in our daily lives – in our homes, during our commutes to work, in public spaces and at work. Yet they so often go unnoticed or unconsidered.

In its broadest definition, Security is defined as “the state of being free from danger or threat”. Within this definition, safety, peace (both physical and of mind) and stability are intrinsically connected. There are different forms of security and therefore different activities and professions – for example, International Security deals with activities of both nations and international organisations to protect countries’ and regions’ security and interests; and National Security deals with the protection and defence of a nation state against other state or non-state actors. However, the most fundamental form of security, Protective Security – and what security means for the modern security professional – is about efforts to protect people or things that are deemed to be at risk from malicious human acts that could result in unwanted consequences.

Aside from people, typical subjects of protection include information (e.g. diplomatic telegrams), buildings (e.g. a house), land (e.g. farmland), currency (e.g. a cash consignment), and objects that have monetary value (e.g. precious metals), items that have historical, religious or cultural value (e.g. ancient artefacts), intellectual value (e.g. the blueprints to a new technology), or other value; or are important to the effective functioning of a community (e.g. electrical infrastructure), or things that could put people at risk of harm (e.g. weapons, chemicals etc.).

Protecting such assets requires security professionals, security practices and security technologies.

Security professionals are the competent people who are qualified, trained and experienced to manage security risks. Examples include Security Advisors, Security Managers and Close Protection Officers.

Security practices are the established methods, approaches and frameworks used by security professionals to manage security risks. Examples include Risk, Threat and Vulnerability Assessments, Security Exercises, and Risk Awareness initiatives.

Security technologies are the tools, equipment, machines and devices either designed or adapted to help achieve a security objective. Examples include surveillance cameras, security locks, and armoured vehicles.