Final answer:
A security assessment is an ongoing process crucial for identifying and evaluating potential weaknesses that could negatively impact a nation's security, which includes military, economic, environmental, and political stability concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A security assessment is an ongoing process for identifying and evaluating potential areas of weakness that could have adverse consequences. It takes into account various aspects of security, from the earliest recognized form, military security, to other critical areas such as economic security, energy security, environmental security, and the political stability of a nation. The broad range of concerns related to national security means that it's not only about having a strong military but also about securing the nation's economy, protecting the environment, and maintaining social order.
Security threats can come from both conventional foes, such as other nation-states, and non-state actors. These may include violent non-state actors like terrorist groups, narcotic cartels, multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations. The political aspect of security refers to policies related to diplomacy and international interactions, which are essential for maintaining a stable social order.
There is a tension between maintaining national security and preserving individual rights and freedoms. Measures taken to ensure national security can sometimes restrict personal liberties, which raises concerns about the governance of these policies. Therefore, national security is a complex issue that deals with not only military might but also economic, environmental, political, and social facets.