Scalation of threats and risks in the 21st century makes it particularly important question of the philosophical foundations of security, because it allows forming ideas about the complex social phenomenon, which is the security of complex social systems. The subject of my research is the nature and content of the scientific concept of ‘security’, and to develop this theme I use general philosophical methods. My position is that safety is the state of the conditions of complex social systems that enable and ensure the preservation of their integrity, dynamic sustainable development and efficient operation at the intended target. From this perspective, if humanity found it possible to establish the state as form of its organization with the main goal to ensure the safety of society and citizens, it did not prevent the understanding of the fact that the state itself needs security as an essential condition for sustainable, dynamic development and efficient operation. Exploring this question, I conclude the objective conditions create a certain scope for improving the security system in order to preserve its integrity and development. Subjective factors (an including moral position control subject plays a significant role) are the active efficient cause, which determines their use in order to maintain system security, stability and sustainability of its development and effective functioning. For this reason, the most important requirement for the subjective factor is the requirement of his constant willingness and ability to create, modify, and use the real capabilities of the system to ensure its security.

В статье осуществляется философский анализ категории «безопасность». Выделены онтологические, гносеологические и нравственные основания безопасности как важнейшей характеристики социальных систем. Представлен авторский взгляд на основные законы и принципы безопасности.