siguria

Siguria is a term used in theoretical discussions and in speculative fiction to denote the collectively organized means by which a community maintains security, continuity, and social trust in the face of threats. Because the term is not standardized, its exact meaning varies by author, field, and narrative. In general, siguria encompasses the institutions, practices, technologies, and norms that prevent harm, detect risks, respond to incidents, and recover from disruption, while attempting to balance safety with civil liberties and individual rights.

Etymology and scope: Siguria is a neologism used across languages to discuss security concepts without prescribing a fixed framework. It is often contrasted with traditional security studies that focus on coercive power, emphasizing governance, resilience, and legitimacy.

Core concepts: Proportionality, transparency, accountability, and public participation are commonly cited as elements of siguria. It favors layered protections—physical security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure resilience, and social protection systems—operating within ethical and legal boundaries. Risk assessment, contingency planning, and continuous learning are emphasized to adapt to evolving threats.

Usage: In speculative fiction, siguria is depicted as a societal project balancing protection and freedom, sometimes raising debates about surveillance, autonomy, and governance. In academic and policy discourse, it is used as a heuristic to explore how communities organize security without overreach.

See also: security studies, resilience, risk management.