Security is a key feature of many aspects of our lives today: ranging from digital infrastructure and economic processes to social debates.

As technologies become increasingly interconnected, the importance of security as a key prerequisite for stability, reliability and trust is also growing. This is no longer solely a matter of technical safeguards such as firewalls, encryption or secure systems.

Security issues also touch on legal, ethical and social aspects. They concern the responsible handling of data, the resilience of digital infrastructure and the question of how technological developments influence the way we live together.

This issue examines the topic of security from various perspectives: as a field of technological activity, as a subject of research and teaching, and as a societal challenge. The articles demonstrate the wide range of issues involved and why it is becoming increasingly important to consider the technical, social and organisational dimensions together.

At Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, this commitment is reflected in an interdisciplinary curriculum. Alongside sound technical knowledge, students also explore topics such as machine ethics, responsibility in technology development and the societal impact of digital innovations. After all, sustainable safety concepts emerge where different perspectives come together.

At the same time, new challenges are coming to the fore: disinformation, digital dependencies and the increasing complexity of interconnected systems highlight the fact that security is not merely a question of technology. It requires critical thinking, the ability to assess risks and a responsible approach to dealing with uncertainty.

As a university, we see it as our role to monitor these developments from an academic perspective, reflect on them critically, and play an active part in shaping them. We aim to educate people who combine technological innovation with social responsibility, thereby contributing to a secure and resilient digital future.

MultiMediaArt graduate Ricardo Gantschnigg has once again brought the topic to the fore with the animation on the homepage.