Etymology of the Word 'Security'

The word 'security' is etymologically derived from the verb "güven" (to trust, to ensure) and has evolved to its current form. The term "güven" itself comes from the Old Turkic word "küwen," meaning to protect or to ensure. The suffix "-lik" added to the word "güvenlik" creates a noun, adding the meaning of "state" or "condition" to the term. In English, the word "security" traces its origins to the Middle English period (1100–1500) and the Old French word "Securité."

In Latin, the concept of security is expressed as "Securitas." This term conveys both physical safety and mental peace, indicating not only protection from external threats but also a state of "peace" and "freedom from anxiety." When the word is broken down, "SE" in Latin means "outside" or "beyond," suggesting a sense of negation or removal. The term "CURA" refers to "care, concern, attention, or diligence," and is the root of the English word "care." The final part of the word, "TAS" (or "ITAS"), is a suffix that forms abstract nouns, similar to the Turkish "-lık/lik" suffix, denoting a state or condition.

The frequent use of the Latin word "Securitas" is found in the writings of Roman authors like Marcus Tullius Cicero. The term was commonly associated with "Securitas Publica," referring to "Public Security" or "The Peace of the People," a concept linked to the state's responsibility to provide security and tranquility for its citizens. This etymological background underscores the significant societal and philosophical role that the concept of security has played throughout history

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Security    

Abraham Harold Maslow, the founder of Humanistic Psychology and the pioneer who introduced the concept of Positive Psychology to the field of psychology, was born on April 1, 1908, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of New York. He was the eldest of seven children in a financially constrained Ashkenazi Jewish family that had emigrated from Russia to the United States. According to Maslow himself, "I was the only Jewish child in a neighborhood with no Jewish neighbors; it was like being the only black child in a school full of white children." This statement highlights his sense of isolation during his childhood and adolescence, yet it is believed that this disadvantage led him to immerse himself more in books and his laboratory.

Maslow’s theory, commonly known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, categorizes human needs and classifies them step by step. Through this theory, Maslow explains that, as humans fulfill their needs within each category, they progressively seek to meet the needs in higher categories, ultimately reaching a state of self-actualization. The hierarchy is structured in such a way that each category corresponds to a level of self-development, with each step representing an individual’s psychological growth. A person does not seek to fulfill higher-level needs until their basic needs are fully met, making personal development and progression to higher levels impossible without this foundation.

As individuals progress through Maslow’s Hierarchy, their needs become more complex. At the second level of the hierarchy, Security needs become fundamental for personal development, self-discovery, and progress. These needs include safety, protection, shelter, and compliance with laws. Security, as the absence of insecurity, is a basic, evolutionary need rooted in the desire to protect oneself and one's material and immaterial possessions from threats.

According to Maslow’s theory, without fulfilling Security Needs at the second level, it becomes impossible for a person to move on to higher levels, such as self-improvement, contributing to society, or achieving the best version of oneself. This demonstrates that security, both physically and psychologically, is one of the most essential and ongoing needs in human life.

The Evolution of Security Approaches: From the Past to the Present

When comparing the concept of security in the past and present, it is evident that the fundamental understanding and operation of security have been shaped by human intellect, wisdom, and available resources. In the earliest stages of civilization, people used natural materials to build fences around their lands, homes, animals, and themselves to protect against wild animals and hostile individuals. The practice of demarcating their territories in a way that was noticeable from the outside represents the earliest, most evolutionary form of physical security.

Throughout history, empires and states built walls, fortresses, moats, and watchtowers to protect their borders from enemy attacks. The earliest guards, responsible for security, were the soldiers and gladiators stationed in these fortifications. These historical structures and soldiers reflect the evolutionary progression of security approaches from ancient times to the present.

In addition to these physical security measures, one of the most primal and evolutionary protective instincts in living beings is parenthood. In the animal kingdom, for instance, ants protect their colonies from external threats through soldier and worker ants, while certain bird species alert their groups to the presence of predators by emitting loud calls, distracting the predators and thereby ensuring their safety.

Jacob Burckhardt, who conducted extensive research on the Renaissance, described the period as "the discovery of man." The Renaissance, which occurred in 15th and 16th century Italy, marked a time when human life was improved through advancements in wisdom, philosophy, and architecture. The works of ancient Greek philosophers and scientists were translated, and a trial-and-error approach to discovering the truth became the central goal. The invention of the printing press allowed for the sharing of knowledge, leading to significant societal changes.

The rapid population growth and insufficient resources during this time spurred the Industrial Revolution, ushering in an era of human progress across various fields. The first use of gunpowder as a propellant dates back to 1132, with early attempts at using bamboo cannons. Iron cannons came into use during the wars between the Mongols and the Song Dynasty between 1268 and 1279.

From the invention of gunpowder, the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, the Renaissance, and beyond, the understanding of security evolved through material resources and scientific advancements. This brief exploration of how security has developed throughout history illustrates how modern security practices have reached their current state and provides a glimpse into the evolution of security approaches from the past to the present.

The Importance of Security in the Modern World

In comparison to the past, the modern world has seen significant advancements in both material and spiritual resources, technological infrastructure, and public security measures implemented by governments. Despite these developments, the need for security and protection remains the most evolutionary and biological necessity for humanity. Although technology, human resources, trained animals, and artificial intelligence have all been incorporated into our efforts to meet this need, security still stands as the most primal and fundamental requirement in its purest form.

In today’s rapidly changing and evolving world, the threats and risks we face are increasing in parallel with the resources at our disposal. Furthermore, the advancements in technology present new dangers, especially when exploited by malicious individuals. With the effects of globalization, political, military, social, and economic spheres are undergoing rapid transformations, intensifying security risks. This creates a foundation for emerging threats to evolve, with even higher risks predicted in the near future.

As the world progresses, security threats are increasingly shaped by the developments in technology. The proliferation of radical groups, a decrease in societal tolerance, rising psychological aggression, and other related issues are becoming prevalent as modern security threats. Particularly, aggressive actions directed at global brands and their branches, along with risks like sabotage and vandalism, have emerged as significant threats that require urgent attention at the institutional level.
In today’s world, while evolving threats have undergone a process of transformation, the fundamental security risks can still be categorized into theft, harassment, vandalism, sabotage, aggression and violence, unauthorized access, internal threats, attacks on infrastructure, high-profile assassinations, protests, mass actions, and attacks related to alcohol or substance abuse.

As a result of these developments, security has become critically important in the modern world. States, institutions, communities, and essentially every area where humans exist must prioritize security. As Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests, a person cannot achieve their best version without fulfilling their need for security. Consequently, since institutions and governments are made up of people, every organization, corporation, and state seeking success and progress must prioritize security, making it an essential and foundational concern.