Security and the umbrella of many things in the name of security

Security remains a catch-all expression for many things, people, feelings, actions and terms.

With so many taking refuge under this umbrella term, how do you know what is really security... or not?

Even in every day conversation, security is routinely used. Job-security, portfolio security, national security, home security, cyber security and many other quasi-security expressions such as community safety, crime prevention, etc.

The only constant among these expressions is that security is rarely defined and routinely assumed as meaning the same thing from context to context, person to person and culture to culture.

If only that were true.

Even more concerning is the routine justifications of control, discipline, power, restrictions, punishment, exclusion, surveillance and preferential treatment in the name of security.

Security for whom, when and how?

Pursuit of security for one individual, community or represented cohort routinely results in the insecurity of others.

Security remains a blunt instrument upon which both good and bad actions are undertaken.

While there are many reasons and influences for this phenomena, one of the greatest remains the lack of knowledge or objective research informing security acts.

Security lacks a single, perpetual body of knowledge and standard of education.

Moreover, security is one of social and work life's lowest points of entry.

Anyone can do security. Right?

Wrong!!

The profession of security entertains all sorts.

Most with limited if any security education, qualifications or professional standards.

Even those that appear in the media asserting expert forecasting skills and secret knowledge.

As a result, security is routinely seen as both a grudge expenditure and tainted trade.

Buyers, communities and professionals need to be more discerning when it comes to security.

Security is not a catch-all phrase.

Security does have specific skills, qualifications and demonstrable knowledge.

It is time buyers, communities, corporates and professionals demonstrate greater rigour in assuring these standards.

Moreover, it time to stop assuming expertise across all facets of security or those subject that routinely seek shelter under the umbrella term, security.

Especially where I is applied in the other extremely abstract expression of risk.

As a result, security risk management is more likely to be a suite of templates applied unilaterally in all contexts with little alteration and limited, if any specific knowledge or customisation for specific threat faced by an organisation, individual or asset.

This too needs to stop.

Define security.

Define risk.

Define security risk management.

Demonstrate reliable, verifiable and comparable research, knowledge or professional standards specific to the context and issue/s at hand.

Tony Ridley, MSc CSyP MSyl M.ISRM

Security, Risk & Management Sciences