We have never lived in a more peaceful and safer world than now. Wars and conflicts still haunt some places of the world, but looking at the global situation, we’ve never been better off. Nevertheless, security is one of the top topics in politics and on our minds. And for good reason, the news speaks of one crisis after the other: The refugee crisis, the corona crisis, the climate crisis, etc. This paints a picture of a world more dangerous than it actually is and heightens our felt need for security. We want private security, job security, social security, cybersecurity, etc.
The world is more interconnected and is moving faster. It’s no longer possible to live a completely safe and stable life. Uncertainty is part of our 21. century world and that puts a lot more responsibility on both goverments and on individuals.
Challenges of Security
Even though the world is safer than ever, there are still areas where we need to focus our security measures. These include:
- cybersecurity: the world is growing increasingly digital, which has great potential, but also contains the risk of cyberattacks. Read more about this in our article on Cybersecurity here.
- flexicurity: jobs will be more project-oriented and less stable. There needs to be a social security net available for employees and an easy way to hire and fire for employers, so businesses, as well as workers, thrive.
- intercultural security: globalization has been a trend for many years already, and it’s still continuing to shape the world we live in. Culture clashes always hold the potential of conflict and discrimination, though, and we need to provide everyone with a certain level of personal security, no matter their background, their beliefs, and their genes.
Opportunities of Security
Our need for security is of course great for companies in that field of business. Never before has so much money been spent on security measures. You can buy insurance for everything, buy prevention, protection, and remedies for anything, and be advised no matter your question.
However, our need for security is also an opportunity for people to come together to help and support each other. Our sense of security increases if we know we have a personal safety network that can help us in times of crisis. This strategy of connecting to feel secure is unfolding on both a local and a global scale.
Additionally, this topic also brings more focus to bring about social equality and improved public health service. Health, in general, is gaining increasing focus and this is partly a result of our need for security.
Many of the exponential technologies can be utilized to provide us with more safety. Artificial Intelligence can collect and analyze data to warn us about pandemics, natural catastrophes, and terrorist attacks. Biotech can improve our medicine. Blockchain can improve our cybersecurity. We’re well on our way to make our world even safer, but nevertheless, we will need to develop flexibility and adaptability in order to thrive. The world is changing quickly, and that will always make instability a part of our lives.
What can you do for your security
To make the most of this trend, these are three things you can do:
- Develop adaptability: When you find yourself unprepared in a new situation, how quickly are you able to adapt to it and make the most of it? This requires letting go of traditions and old belief systems and instead of being present and thinking critically.
- Be open-minded: New people, new solutions, new circumstances, and new opportunities will come and go in a steady flow. The more open you are, the more flexible you will be.
- Grow a strong network: Whether it’s friends, family, colleagues, or acquaintances, having people in your social network is essential when shit hits the fan or you’re facing a challenge.
Lastly, embrace insecurity too. It’s an unavoidable part of life, and remember, Pirate:
A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for
