User:Skakkle/security state (2)

"The security state" [definition 2] is a shorthand way of referring to any or all of the organs of a national government with some responsibility for internal security (such as law enforcement) or external security (such as national defense).

As a descriptor, typically, the phrase characterizes the actions or positions of individuals acting as employees or contractors to these agencies, not as often to the agencies themselves. Yet the agencies credential those individuals.

This terms doesn't apply to similar such subnational governmental entities, agencies, etc. These would include the counterterrorism dept of the NYPD, or the police force of any US state, or any local police force.

In the US, here are a few quick examples:


 * The Department of Defense
 * DIA
 * Intelligence community
 * CIA
 * FBI

Here's a fuller list which is still probably not exhaustive :United States Intelligence Community § Organization