The situation described above, combined with the complex challenges which are faced by democratic states, call for new approaches to security research. Research conducted within traditional disciplinary boundaries is not capable of adequately analyzing the interdisciplinary nature of civil security questions, nor will it help us develop the gains in knowledge that are needed.

Contemporary threats require new and innovative solutions and thinking outside the box. The goal is to reduce the vulnerability of modern societies and to increase the democratic accountability and “productivity” of the security services. These must receive the necessary capabilities (deployment strategies and tactics, equipment, training) as well the ability to work together with national and international partners, if they are to efficiently and effectively counteract threats. However, the necessity of increasing security standards must be accompanied by a democratic discourse which reflects the tensions between freedom and security, social welfare state and security, and so forth, and which thereby helps maintain the balance which is part of a free society.

Contemporary security research must also meet these new challenges. Research programs at the European and German levels make it clear that effective security research is only possible through an interdisciplinary and international approach. Technology alone will not be enough to tackle these challenges, and neither will social or political analyses at “round tables.” A multidisciplinary perspective forms the basis upon which security research can and must make a significant contribution to freedom and security in our society.

The multi- and interdisciplinary dimension of the research object, that is, civil security, also includes approaching it from a „diversity“ perspective. A differentiated research perspective according to religious belief, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status can enable new insights into the workings of security concepts and help to avoid developments which could threaten our democracy.

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