Sisejulgeoleku

Sisejulgeoleku refers to the concept of internal security in the Estonian language, encompassing the policies, institutions, and activities aimed at protecting a state and its citizens from threats that originate within its borders. It covers maintaining public order, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and ensuring national stability against domestic risks.

The scope of sisejulgeoleku includes a range of threats such as terrorism and violent extremism, organized crime, corruption, espionage and foreign influence operations, cyber threats, disinformation, and responses to natural or man-made disasters. Preventive measures typically involve intelligence gathering, law enforcement, border and infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, and cybersecurity, complemented by resilience-building and crisis response capabilities.

Institutional arrangements for internal security vary by country but commonly involve multiple actors, including police, specialized security or intelligence services, border authorities, and civil protection agencies. Democratic oversight is a key principle, with Parliament, independent watchdogs, and courts providing accountability to protect civil liberties and human rights while maintaining effective security.

In Estonian usage, sisejulgeoleku is the genitive form of sisejulgeelek (internal security) and appears in official phrases such as sisejulgeoleku strateegia (internal security strategy) or sisejulgeoleku asutused (internal security institutions). The term is used in security policy analysis to compare approaches across countries and to describe national efforts to detect, deter, and respond to domestic threats.

See also: national security, public safety, counterterrorism, civil defence, emergency management.