turvalust

Turvalust is an Estonian term for safety and security. It denotes the state or condition of being protected from danger and harm, as well as the practices, systems, and institutions intended to maintain or improve that state. The word combines turvaline (safe) with a suffix forming an abstract noun.

Practices of turvalust cover physical safety, workplace safety, public safety, and cybersecurity. In organizations, turvalust means implementing risk management, safety culture, and compliance to reduce accidents, injuries, and data breaches. It also encompasses measures to protect critical infrastructure, personal data, and national well-being.

Common tools and approaches include risk assessment, incident reporting, training, audits, and safety management systems such as ISO 45001 for occupational safety and ISO 27001 for information security, aligned with ISO 31000 risk management. In the EU and Estonia, cyber and data protection regulations (for example, GDPR) influence turvalust practices by defining requirements for processing personal information and safeguarding digital systems.

History and usage of turvalust reflect evolving threats and technologies. Traditionally tied to physical safety in industry and public administration, its scope has broadened with digitalization to emphasize cybersecurity and information security. Governments, businesses, and communities use the concept to frame policies, standards, and operational practices aimed at preventing harm and ensuring reliable, resilient operations.