Traditional studies of security focused on the survival of states and the impact of wars, the development of technology and the nuclear deterrent. Since the end of the Cold War, however, a new range of threats has been added to the security lexicon and it is now common to stress that human survival is threatened not just by the use of military power by a hostile state but also by environmental damage, AIDS/HIV, water shortages, famine and plague. Security: The Basicsis a concise introduction to the contemporary study of security issues and explores key questions such as: Should security be focused on the state or the individual? How has the nature of security changed since 9/11? How is the security of women or children affected by war, poverty and disease? To what extent will the future of security be about cyber-security? Featuring a range of international case studies, suggestions for further reading, a glossary and notes on key thinkers, Security: The Basicsis the ideal starting point for anyone interested in the study of the struggle for survival in the 21stcentury.