Dedication.
Introduction.
Chapter 1 – Security Begins with the Citizen.
Chapter 2 – The Modern Threat Landscape.
Chapter 3 – Lone Wolves and Radicalization.
Chapter 4 –Vehicles as Weapons.
Chapter 5 – Cybersecurity: The New Frontline.
Chapter 6 – Community Resilience in Action.
Chapter 7 – Working with Security Agencies.
Chapter 8 – Critical Infrastructure Security.
Chapter 9 – Ethics, Bias, and Vigilance.
Chapter 10 – Civil Registration and Security.
Chapter 11 – Political Rewards Risk.
Chapter 12 – A Call to Action.
Conclusion.
References.
Dedication
To every ordinary citizen who has ever chosen to act when it would have been easier to look away, to the watchful neighbor, the quick-thinking bystander, the volunteer who steps forward in crisis, this book is for you. You are the heartbeat of national security.
Introduction
When we think of “security,” many of us imagine uniformed officers, high fences, and guarded borders. We picture sophisticated technology, secret intelligence, and large government agencies working behind the scenes. These images are not wrong — but they are incomplete.
The truth is that the first line of defense is rarely a wall or a weapon. It is a person. An alert receptionist who notices something unusual. A mother who teaches her children how to respond in an emergency. A community that checks on its neighbors during a disaster.
This book is born from a simple yet powerful idea: national security begins with the citizen. While governments set policies and agencies respond to threats, it is everyday people — informed, prepared, and willing to act — who make the difference between resilience and vulnerability.
This book builds one conclusion: security is a shared responsibility, and every citizen has a role. This book is not a manual for experts; it is a guide for ordinary people who want to live in a safe, free, and prepared society. It is an invitation — and a challenge — to step into your role in the security ecosystem.
National Security: begins with citizens
David Waithera
© 2025
