Discussion Forum
The book being used is, Security Science, The Theory and Practice of Security.
Role and functions of security in text book:
Security is diverse and multidimensional, leaving the ability to define and understand the concept of security open to debate. Nevertheless, security can be contextually defined, once the practice domain and its functions have been articulated. Many parts of the practice domains of security lack definition and are defuse, yet are distinct fields of practice and, to some degree, academic disciplines.
As a broad concept, security can be defined in many ways. One such method is the nature of security, where security can be considered as international systems, security of nation-states, security of groups, or the security of individuals (Rothschild, 1995). In addition, security has to be considered from an objective, subjective, and symbolic perspective. Such duality allows theories and ideas to more effectively consider all parts of security. For example, the security of the individual may use Maslow's hierarchy of human needs (1943), or the related but distinct concepts of security and safety, or, finally, the effect of risk. Risk has always been closely related to the concept of security, but it is only in recent times that the management of risk has played such a significant role in applied security.
Security of groups has to consider the underlying nature of law and the social contract, where law may be considered a foundation of society and security is an output, being a maintainer or enforcer. The security maintainer has, for over 100 years, been considered the function of public security (policing), although private security is becoming more relevant and both domains are converging. The security of nation-states and international arenas include military defense, which is one of the more traditional views of security. More recently, homeland security has been applied at the nation-state level, converging traditional security practice areas such as defense, public security, and private security.
The security industry requires, among other characteristics, a dedicated academic discipline to support its professional development. A dedicated academic discipline can validate and structure the growing body of knowledge through the scientific method, seeking cause and effect. Whether such research uses the scientific method or an engineering design approach, either will suit the diverse strategies applied in security and develop the discipline of security science.
Security science is an emerging academic discipline that brings together concepts into a structured body of knowledge. At its most simplistic, knowledge areas include security management, security theories and principles, the built environment, and security risk management. These concepts can be expanded into an integrated framework that also includes business continuity, security technology, physical and personnel security, and industrial security. Thus, context provides many parts of security with clear understanding of its operating boundaries, from which further consensus in a body of knowledge can be achieved.
