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Basic Concept of Security and Defense

In broad terms “security” is defined as safety from harm. The term has different dimensions in psychology, public safety, information technology, finance, defense and military matters. We will understand security as “a condition that results from the establishment and maintenance of protective measures that ensure a state of inviolability from hostile acts or influences”[1].

The term “security” is often synonymous with the term “defense”, which can also be defined as “1. the protection of something, especially from attack by an enemy; 2. a means or method of defending or protecting”[2]. However, militarily, “defense” means strategy, tactics, and actions for limiting the ability of an opponent to win the battle.

The protective measures against modern threats and challenges can be taken at national level and internationally, which brings about the notions of national and international (collective) security.

National security and defense can be understood as preparedness for military action, protection of resources considered critical to the functioning of a nation to protect a country from attack or subversion.

There are different government agencies concerned with national security, e.g., the National Security Council (NSC), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – in the United States of America, the Council of National Security and Defense (CNSDU), the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) – in Ukraine. 

The NSC, for example, is a governmental body specifically designed to assist the US President in integrating all spheres of national security policy. The President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense are statutory members. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of CIA, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs serve as advisers. Other officials of the executive branch may attend NSC meetings at the invitation of the President.

Collective security provides for “the military defense by means of broad-based alliances among many nations who are pledged to help defend each other against aggressors”[3].

The universally recognized international agencies and alliances concerned with collective security issues are: the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Union (EU), the Western European Union (WEU), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) etc.