What Security Means

Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Larry Anderson, Editor

In the dictionary, security sounds like something that is simple. In the real world, however, security is a lot more complicated.”

Those words of an eighth grade student sum up a lot of the challenges facing the security industry today. Security is such a simple idea, and yet making it happen is one of the most intractable problems of our modern times.

Sad to say, school children of all ages today are having to think more about security and what it means. The tragedy at Virginia Tech is only the most recent example of how tragedy can strike at the heart of our educational institutions. As one seventh grader put it: “A school should be like our sanctuary, safe and away from harm.” Don't we all wish that were so!

Maybe those of us in the security industry could gain insights from hearing what others outside our discipline think about security. An essay contest sponsored by Panasonic Security Systems and one of its dealers, Allen Security and Consulting, Wendell, N.C., sought to provide such insights, in this case mining the thought processes of middle school students about what security really means.

Here are some of their thoughts:

• “Security is knowing your surroundings. Another thing that reminds me of security is having the security of my room away from my sisters. They always bother me unless I am in my room.”

• “When we know our surroundings and have tools to protect ourselves, we can feel more secure.”

• “It makes me feel secure to be around my dog. He will always warn me if something is wrong.”

• “Knowing someone is looking out for me is what security means to me.”

• “If we did not have security, our world would be a very bad place.”

You can read some of the “What Security Means To Me” essays at www.panasonic.com/security.

We welcome your feedback: E-mail landerson@securitysolutions.com

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© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

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