Cybersecurity as a Challenge to International Security: The case of Estonia (2007)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33324/dicere.v3i1.1114Keywords:
Cybersecurity, International Security, Digital sovereignty, NATO, International RelationsAbstract
Cyber threats have emerged as a central challenge to international security in the context of increasing digitalization of states and societies. Beyond their technical dimension, these attacks represent a new form of conflict that directly impacts political, economic, and social stability, affecting both public institutions and private actors. This article analyzes the evolution of cyber threats—such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, phishing, and ransomware—not only in terms of their operational mechanisms but, more importantly, through their implications for state security. Using the 2007 cyberattack on Estonia as a case study, the paper examines how this event marked a turning point in the understanding of digital sovereignty and the growing need for international cooperation in cybersecurity. It concludes that cybersecurity has evolved from a purely technical issue into a strategic component of contemporary international relations.
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