Security Contact

The possibility of making a clear semantic distinction between the terms security and protection in German is controversial.

For example, in the case of objects and systems, the two terms security (English for „protection“, „intervention/attack safety“) and safety (English for „danger-free“, „operational safety“) are used for two terms that are (semantically) different in meaning.

While „safety“ describes the protection of the environment from an object, i.e. a kind of isolation, „security“ refers to the protection of the object from the environment, i.e. immunity or protection. In German, the two different situations are often referred to with the same word „Sicherheit“ instead. This regularly leads to communication difficulties, as both sides can interpret this word differently. The relevant standards therefore use the term functional safety for the protection of the environment from an object.

Consequently, it should not be sufficient to simply demand „safety“ on an escape door. The requirements must be specified in the safety concept. An „operational safety/safety“ requirement here would be to ensure the safest possible escape and rescue route for those affected or those providing assistance, while requirements to prevent unauthorised use of the door during normal operation should be assigned to the „safety/security“ area.