Introduction T he National Security Strategy adopts a comprehensive vision of security, understood as a public service subject to State action directed towards protecting citizens’ freedom, rights and wellbeing, ensuring the defence of Spain and its constitutional principles and values, and contributing to international security, together with Spain’s partners and allies, in compliance with agreed commitments. National defence, public security, and external action, supported by the State intelligence and information services, constitute key components of national security. However, many of the areas of special interest included in the Strategy, such as cybersecurity or energy security, not only require the action of these key components, but also of all levels of administration, and of society in general. In particular, the 2013 Strategy and the National Security Act 36/2015, of 28 September, designed an institutional structure built around a new National Security System, with the President of the Government at its centre, assisted by a National Security Council. 14 National Security Strategy 2017 Presidency of the Government