Safety vs. Security — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 2, 2023
Safety refers to protection from accidents and hazards, while security relates to protection from intentional harm or threats. Both concepts prioritize well-being, but they address different types of risks.
Difference Between Safety and Security
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Safety and security, though used interchangeably at times, serve distinct roles in the domain of protection. Safety predominantly encompasses measures taken to prevent accidents or hazards and to ensure that a person or environment is free from harm or danger. For instance, adhering to safety protocols in a factory can prevent workplace injuries.
Security, on the other hand, implies protection from deliberate threats, breaches, or attacks. Whether it's digital data or a physical establishment, security measures act as deterrents against malicious intentions. For example, installing surveillance cameras at a business premise ensures security against potential intruders.
While safety can be perceived as a state where one is shielded from risks or harm that can occur unexpectedly, security pertains more to the active defense against identified threats. Safety might involve wearing a helmet while riding a bike to protect oneself from unforeseen accidents. In contrast, security could involve having guards at an event to ward off any potential threats.
In essence, safety ensures that a system, be it a human body, a machine, or an environment, functions without causing harm, while security ensures that this system is protected from external malicious threats. While both concepts aim to establish a sense of protection, the nature of the risks they address distinctly sets them apart.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Protection from accidents or hazards.
Protection from intentional harm or threats.
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Nature
Preventative from unintentional harm.
Defensive against deliberate threats.
Context of Use
Often relates to unintentional events or accidents.
More related to deliberate acts of harm or breaches.
Example Situation
Using seat belts in a car.
Installing a burglar alarm in a house.
Primary Focus
Ensuring freedom from danger or risk.
Guarding against and responding to intentional breaches or attacks.
Compare with Definitions
Safety
Measures taken to avoid accidents.
The factory implemented safety protocols to prevent machine-related injuries.
Security
Security is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercive change) caused by others. Beneficiaries (technically referents) of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change.
Safety
The condition of being protected from risks.
The construction worker always prioritized his safety by wearing a hard hat.
Security
Freedom from risk or danger; safety.
Safety
Freedom from potential harm or danger.
Safety goggles provide protection against flying debris.
Security
Freedom from doubt, anxiety, or fear; confidence.
Safety
A state devoid of threats to health or life.
The lifeguard ensured the safety of swimmers by constantly monitoring the pool.
Security
A group or department of private guards
Call building security if a visitor acts suspicious.
Safety
Safety is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Security
Measures adopted by a government to prevent espionage, sabotage, or attack.
Safety
The condition of being safe; freedom from danger, risk, or injury.
Security
Measures adopted, as by a business or homeowner, to prevent a crime such as burglary or assault
Security was lax at the firm's smaller plant.
Safety
A device designed to prevent accidents, as a lock on a firearm preventing accidental firing.
Security
Measures adopted to prevent escape
Security in the prison is very tight.
Safety
A play in which a member of the offensive team downs the ball or is tackled or forced out of bounds behind his own goal line, resulting in two points for the defensive team.
Security
Something deposited or given as assurance of the fulfillment of an obligation; collateral.
Safety
Either of two defensive backs normally positioned behind the linebackers in the middle of the backfield.
Security
One who undertakes to fulfill the obligation of another; a surety.
Safety
The condition or feeling of being safe; security; certainty.
If you push it to the limit, safety is not guaranteed.
Security
A financial instrument, such as a stock or bond, representing rights of ownership or creditorship and often traded in secondary markets.
Safety
(mechanics) A mechanism on a weapon or dangerous equipment designed to prevent accidental firing.
Be sure that the safety is set before proceeding.
Security
(uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
Chad always carries a gun for his own security.
The pink blanket gives little Mary lots of security.
Safety
(American football) An instance of a player being sacked or tackled in the end zone, or stepping out of the end zone and off the field, resulting in two points to the opposite team.
He sacked the quarterback in the end zone for a safety.
Security
(countable) Something that secures.
Safety
(American football) Any of the defensive players who are in position furthest from the line of scrimmage and whose responsibility is to defend against passes as well as to be the tacklers of last resort.
The free safety made a game-saving tackle on the runner who had broken past the linebackers.
Security
An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
Pamela works in security.
Safety
(baseball) A safety squeeze.
Security
(legal) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
Safety
Preservation from escape; close custody.
Security
(legal) Freedom from apprehension.
Safety
(dated) A safety bicycle.
Security
A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock.W
Safety
(transitive) To secure (a mechanical component, as in aviation) to keep it from becoming detached even under vibration.
Security
(finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
Safety
To secure a firing pin, as in guns, to keep the gun from firing
Security
(finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
Safety
The condition or state of being safe; freedom from danger or hazard; exemption from hurt, injury, or loss.
Up led by thee,Into the heaven I have presumed,An earthly guest . . . With like safety guided down,Return me to my native element.
Security
A guarantee.
Safety
Freedom from whatever exposes one to danger or from liability to cause danger or harm; safeness; hence, the quality of making safe or secure, or of giving confidence, justifying trust, insuring against harm or loss, etc.
Would there were any safety in thy sex,That I might put a thousand sorrows off,And credit thy repentance!
Security
(obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.
Safety
Preservation from escape; close custody.
Imprison him, . . . Deliver him to safety; and return.
Security
The condition or quality of being secure; secureness.
His trembling hand had lost the ease,Which marks security to please.
Safety
The act or result of a ball-carrier on the offensive team being tackled behind his own goal line, or the downing of a ball behind the offensive team's own goal line when it had been carried or propelled behind that goal line by a player on the offensive tream; such a play causes a score of two points to be awarded to the defensive team; - it is distinguished from touchback, when the ball is downed behind the goal after being propelled there or last touched by a player of the defending team. See Touchdown. Same as Safety touchdown, below.
Security
Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,Grows strong and great in substance and in power.
Safety
Short for Safety bicycle.
Security
That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense.
Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word.
Safety
A switch on a firearm that locks the trigger and prevents the firearm from being discharged unintentionally; - also called safety catch, safety lock, or lock.
Security
Freedom from risk; safety.
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,From firm security.
Some . . . alleged that we should have no security for our trade.
Safety
The state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions;
Insure the safety of the children
The reciprocal of safety is risk
Security
One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself for the performance of another's obligation.
Safety
A safe place;
He ran to safety
Security
An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.
Safety
A device designed to prevent injury
Security
The state of being free from danger or injury;
We support the armed services in the name of national security
Safety
(baseball) the successful act of striking a baseball in such a way that the batter reaches base safely
Security
A formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends;
He held several valuable securities
Safety
Contraceptive device consisting of a thin rubber or latex sheath worn over the penis during intercourse
Security
A department responsible for the security of the institution's property and workers;
The head of security was a former policeman
Safety
A score in American football; a player is tackled behind his own goal line
Security
Measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.;
Military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising
Safety
Assurance of well-being and lack of harm.
The safety of passengers is the airline's top concern.
Security
Defense against financial failure; financial independence;
His pension gave him security in his old age
Insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness
Security
Freedom from anxiety or fear;
The watch dog gave her a feeling of security
Security
An electrical device that sets off an alarm when someone tries to break in
Security
Property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation;
Bankers are reluctant to lend without good security
Security
A guarantee that an obligation will be met
Security
Protection against breaches, theft, or attacks.
The company invested in high-end security systems to deter hackers.
Security
Safeguarding assets from threats.
The art museum's security is top-notch, ensuring priceless pieces are well-protected.
Security
Measures taken to guard against crime or attack.
Security guards were stationed at every entrance during the concert.
Security
Assurance against potential intentional harm.
The document was stored in a security vault, inaccessible to unauthorized personnel.
Security
The state of being free from danger or threats.
For added security, she changed her passwords monthly.
Common Curiosities
Which is more proactive, safety or security?
Both can be proactive, but security often involves anticipating and defending against identified threats.
What's a common safety concern in vehicles?
A common safety concern is the potential for accidents, addressed by features like airbags.
What's the primary goal of safety measures?
Safety measures aim to prevent accidents and reduce the risk of unintentional harm.
Are safety and security mutually exclusive?
No, many environments aim for both safety (from accidents) and security (from threats).
Is a password a safety or security measure?
A password is a security measure, protecting against unauthorized access.
Can a place be safe but not secure?
Yes, a place might be free from accidents (safe) but still vulnerable to intentional threats (not secure).
How does cybersecurity relate to the concept of security?
Cybersecurity is a subset of security, focusing specifically on protecting digital assets and information.
Can safety protocols increase security?
While safety protocols primarily prevent accidents, they can indirectly increase security by promoting vigilance and order.
How does security differ from safety in intention?
Security focuses on protecting against deliberate threats, whereas safety addresses unintentional dangers.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
