What is the Difference Between Safety and Security?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between safety and security lies in their definitions and the type of threats they address. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

  • Safety refers to a condition where someone or something is protected from causes that are likely to cause harm. It is the set of measures deployed to protect property and people from accidents and disasters caused by natural causes, such as fire or natural disasters. Safety is a more static discipline, focused on preventing incidents and maintaining a certain level of protection.
  • Security refers to protecting individuals, organizations, and properties against external threats that are likely to cause harm. It is the set of measures deployed to prevent acts of human malice and protect goods and people from their consequences, such as theft or attacks. Security is a more dynamic discipline, involving the protection of individuals, organizations, and assets against external threats and criminal activities. It is responsible for maintaining the safeguards expected to be in place and ensuring the components of safety remain unchanged.

In summary, safety focuses on protecting against natural causes and accidents, while security focuses on protecting against human malice and intentional threats.

Comparative Table: Safety vs Security

The key difference between safety and security lies in their respective definitions and focus areas:

Safety Security
Refers to a condition where someone or a thing is protected from causes of harm. Involves protecting organizations and people against threats and danger.

In summary, safety and security are distinct concepts that serve to protect individuals and organizations from various types of harm. Safety focuses on preventing unintentional harm caused by physical hazards, while security is concerned with protecting against intentional harm caused by external factors.