Security Studies

Case studies: Fukushima and the War in Syria

‘This programme starts with an introductory course, explaining the basics about safety and security and how theories, models and concepts regarding these notions have developed. This introductory course is followed by two case studies: Fukushima and the War in Syria. The first course focuses on what we call a ‘safety incident’: a disaster that came about through a chain of accidental causes. The second course focuses on a security case. War is an example of an intentional threat: in conflicts parties deliberately and consciously seek to harm other parties. I’m one of the two lecturers of the first introductory course about the basics and give some guest lectures about cyber risk in a second-year course.’

‘Cyber accidents’

‘One of the areas that my research focuses on is that of ‘cyber accidents’. Most of the research on cybersecurity seeks to understand intentional threats in cyberspace, for instance hacks or DDoS attacks. Much less research is done on the fact that systems and data can also come to harm accidentally, for instance when upgrading systems, or through power failures, or as a result of human errors. We keep a database that registers how often such things happen, so that we get a better understanding of the scope and the consequences of this kind of challenge.’

New security risks

‘Cyberspace has become the backbone of modern Western societies. For everything we do, we use digital networked technologies. While cyberspace makes our lives easier, more comfortable and more efficient, it also leads to new security risks. There are privacy issues, such losing one’s personal data, or oversharing information on social media. And there are security risks, such as hacking by criminals, or acts of cyberwarfare by nation states. The question has become: what should governments and organizations do to ensure that the internet we use is secure? Which laws, regulations, norms and standards should be developed to increase security in cyberspace? We are the only Cybersecurity Governance research group in the Netherlands.’

Security Studies helps you to get a better understanding of all types of safety and security issues from around the world, from the war in Syria, to the Sendai earthquake and the following nuclear incident in Fukushima, from cyber-attacks to organised crime. Through its interdisciplinary approach, you will get a deeper understanding of these challenges and learn to combine different disciplines. By combining disciplines such as political science, psychology, economics, history and many more into one lens, you will be able to find the best solution for all types of safety and security issues from around the world.

Social impact

From the threat of armed conflict to robbery, and from the risk of flooding to car accidents: issues of security and safety vary in scale, reach, and complexity. Our programme deals with a range of threats and risks that impact us on different levels. Cyber security, health, natural disasters and violence all feature in our curriculum, not just to understand their impact and effect, but also to critically study possible solutions and mitigation efforts.

Explore-Understand-Do

We study these issues using the Explore-Understand-Do method. First we explore the basic facts to get a better idea of the issue and its component parts. Then, we seek to understand the problem using a variety of theories and concepts from different disciplines. Finally, we ‘do’ safety and security by proposing and engaging with prevention and mitigation. This approach is interdisciplinary: we need insights and tools from a variety of sources and traditions to confront complex questions. Issues of safety and security are always highly multifaceted.

Scientific approach

In this academic programme we train students to critically analyse safety and security. We encourage them to question what they read and hear around them. Doing scientifically sound research and basing their ideas on that is crucial, also for careers outside of academia. Ultimately, this allows our students to develop into security professionals who recognise that safety and security problems are hugely complex, but who also know how to begin addressing them.

If modern global safety and security is a topic that intrigues you, then Security Studies is a bachelor programme that would suit you. What makes me enjoy this course is mostly the unique approach it takes; after learning about essential Security and safety concepts, the first year applies them to real-world situation through case studies. The case study on Syria was my favorite as it is an on-going issue.

The discussions in the Course Labs stimulated critical thinking and helped us reflect on the functioning of the world through modern security issues. This interdisciplinary course includes the following courses in second year; Cybersecurity, Vital Interests, War and Peace, Terrorism and Cyberterrorism, Economics of Security, that will help you find the security field that fits your interests.