In this short introduction, we provide an overview and introduction to both the concept of vernacular security and the main themes and ideas of the book. We begin by locating vernacular security studies within wider efforts to think critically about security, noting the field’s interdisciplinary foundations, and putting particular emphasis on the influence of feminist and postcolonial thought. The chapter goes on to examine broad trends in vernacular security thus far, drawing attention to three strands of research: firstly, mainly focus group-based research examining the impacts on people of post-9/11 security measures; a second, more ethnographically orientated strand which focuses on non-western security arrangements and experiences; and thirdly work looking at social media as sites of expression about security. The chapter concludes by detailing how the chapters in this book contribute to and extend this vibrant research agenda, including by: (i) extending the range of security challenges upon which vernacular security studies (VSS) focuses, (ii) developing new case studies for VSS, beyond the UK and other European contexts; (iii) building bridges and connections to cognate literatures; and, (iv) engaging in reflexive critique of some of the weaknesses and gaps in VSS research thus far.