MyValenwind
Well, I think there should be some sort of protection with most workings especially (depending on what you're doing if it doesn't require your whole body to be 'open'), and maybe when you feel it is necessary on occasion. How you do it though is up to you.
By 'energy order', do you mean order so that things don't go out of whack and remain balanced, or like a filter of what you want and what you don't want? :3 I'd like both if you want to answer both. I am a little unsure about shields. However, I feel that wards work wonderfully. Circle work just as well, but I mainly use those for rituals or energy working. Barriers are... well quite frankly I'm not sure what to do with those.
I agree that protection is necessary when you do workings and even if you are just out and about.