Secure vs. Protect
The key difference is that while security measures are focused on external threats to a system, protection is concerned with those that are internal.
As verbs the difference between secure and protect is that secure is to make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect while protect is to keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm coming to.
As an adjective secure is free from attack or danger; protected.
last updated november 2022