turvalisus

Turvalisus on Estonian term that encompasses safety and security, referring to the protection of people, property, information and the environment from hazards, risks and deliberate harm. It combines physical safety with security of information and systems, and in everyday use includes personal safety, workplace safety, road and traffic safety, public order, and protection of data and critical infrastructure.

The concept spans several domains. Personal safety includes occupational safety and health, accident prevention, and emergency preparedness; public safety covers policing, fire and rescue services, and disaster response; data and information security protects against unauthorized access and data breaches, in line with data protection regulations such as GDPR; cybersecurity focuses on the protection of networks, critical information infrastructure and digital services; national security includes defense, border control and the resilience of society.

Management of turvalisus is addressed through risk assessment, prevention, detection, response, and recovery. Organisations draw on risk management standards such as ISO 31000, ISO 45001 for occupational safety, and ISO 27001 for information security, along with EU directives like the NIS Directive and GDPR for data protection. In Estonia, state bodies such as the Police and Border Guard Board, the Rescue Board, and Riigi Infosüsteemi Amet (RIA) coordinate safety and cybersecurity efforts, while EU and international cooperation strengthen resilience.

Turvalisus is essential for reliable public services, trust in digital government, and social and economic stability. It requires ongoing assessment, training, and adaptation to new threats, including cyber risks and environmental hazards, as societies become more interconnected and digitally dependent.