Heading 1: The Significance of Security Criticism in the Workplace
Security-critical employees are at the frontlines: They monitor, analyze, and criticize processes and systems within our societies and corporations. Their work is of great importance as they ensure our security, prevent risks, and protect us from misuse and misdevelopment.
Heading 2: The Risk of Security Criticism – Practical Examples
Security critics such as Edward Snowden or Julian Assange have shown us that critical work comes with risks. The question is: How can we protect security-critical employees against threats, attacks, and reprisals?
"If the power of the masses is so great, then every individual has the ability to change something big." (Anonymous)
Heading 3: Facts and Statistics – Why Security Criticism Matters
According to a study by the PEN America Center, between 2013 and 2018, a total of 373 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide. Half of them were security critics (Source: Committee to Protect Journalists).
According to a study by the European Values Think Tank, between 2015 and 2020, 350 targeted NGOs were identified in Europe that dealt with human rights, environmental protection, or security criticism. In almost all cases, it was not state actors but private entities who carried out the attacks (Source: European Values Think Tank).
Heading 4: Expert Opinions – What Experts Say
"Security critics are important figures in our society. They monitor and control our institutions and systems and keep them rooted." (Prof. Dr. Christoph Schiltz, Political Scientist)
"Security criticism is an essential element of our democratic system.
It promotes transparency, rule of law, and responsibility awareness."
(Dr. Johanna Hörmann, Journalist)
Heading 5: Guidelines – Protecting Security-Critical Employees
- Personal Protection Measures: Take personal protective measures.
- Anonymity: Connect with networks and platforms that guarantee discretion.
- Legal Protection: Call upon the rule of law or international organizations for help.
- Self-Organization: Form collective efforts with other security critics and NGOs.
- Open Dialogue: Encourage open discussions and debates in public.
Ending: What does it mean for us as a society?
We must protect and respect security-critical employees, as they are the sentinels of our system. Let’s keep the dialogues open and work together to build a better future.
Security-critical employees hold significant positions in our societies and organizations. They are responsible for ensuring our security, preventing risks, and protecting us from misuse and misdevelopment. Their essential role is highlighted by various examples, such as Edward Snowden or Julian Assange, who have shown that critical work comes with inherent risks.
The statistics provide concrete evidence of the importance of security criticism. According to studies, between 2013 and 2018, a total of 373 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, and half of them were security critics. In Europe alone, between 2015 and 2020, 350 targeted NGOs were identified that dealt with human rights, environmental protection, or security criticism. In most cases, it was not state actors but private entities who carried out the attacks.
Security critics are essential figures in our society. They monitor and control our institutions and systems, keeping them rooted and ensuring transparency, rule of law, and responsibility awareness. As Prof. Dr. Christoph Schiltz, a political scientist, states, “Security critics are important figures in our society. They monitor and control our institutions and systems and keep them rooted.” Dr. Johanna Hörmann, a journalist, adds, “Security criticism is an essential element of our democratic system.
It promotes transparency, rule of law, and responsibility awareness.”
However, the work of security critics comes with risks. They may face threats, attacks, or reprisals for their critical role. The question then arises: How can we protect security-critical employees against such dangers? One possible answer lies in taking personal protective measures, connecting with networks and platforms that guarantee discretion, calling upon the rule of law or international organizations for help, forming collective efforts with other security critics and NGOs, and encouraging open discussions and debates in public.
By implementing these guidelines, we can create a safer environment for security-critical employees, enabling them to continue their vital work without fear of retaliation. It is our responsibility as a society to protect and respect those who ensure our security, prevent risks, and promote transparency, rule of law, and responsibility awareness. Let’s keep the dialogues open and work together to build a better future.