The state of security singularity: transition toward a reflexive system of transport security

Background. The study substantiates the need to introduce a conceptual and model-based framework capable of capturing the evolutionary dynamics of the transport security system. The ongoing transformation of the transport sector is accompanied by changes affecting infrastructure, technical means and the distribution of functions between human and technological components, which leads to the emergence of new principles of security governance. In this context, there is a growing need for a maturity-level analytical model (C0-C5) that makes it possible to trace the trajectory of this evolution and identify the structural features of the transition from regulatory procedures to reflexive forms of management. The study also introduces the concept of the “state of security singularity” as the limit state of maturity of the transport security system, achieved through the shift toward self-regulation and the integration of technical means, analytical modules and human participation into a unified reflexive-integrated loop. Purpose. The study aims to conceptualize the state of security singularity and to develop a maturity-level model (C0-C5) that reflects the transition from traditional organizational and regulatory procedures to intellectually adaptive mechanisms of threat pre-emption. Materials and methods. The principal research method is modeling, which was used to develop the maturity-level model (C0-C5) and to construct the reflexive-integrated loop governing the functioning of the transport security system. The methodological foundation is based on a systemic and interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon theories of complex and sociotechnical systems, the cybernetic logic of security management, and a risk-oriented approach. The theoretical and regulatory basis of the study includes legal acts of the Russian Federation, ICAO and EASA documents, as well as strategic materials of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the International Transport Forum. The research methods additionally include system-structural and normative-legal analysis, content analysis of strategic documents, and logic-prognostic (foresight) methods. Results. The study proposes and theoretically grounds the concept of the “state of security singularity” as the limit state of maturity of the transport security system. It characterizes the stage at which the system reaches the level of self-reflection and self-regulation, where the mechanisms of response and threat prevention are based on a self-renewing risk management model, and the technical means, analytical modules and human participation are integrated into a unified reflexive-integrated loop. The maturity-level model (C0-C5) developed in the course of the research serves as the analytical framework for identifying the trajectory of this evolution and for assessing the degree of system readiness for further transitions. The obtained results can be used for diagnosing the level of system maturity, determining strategic directions of its development and defining competency requirements for security specialists under conditions of digital transformation.