Safeguarding the digital lifelines: India’s strategic imperative for subsea cable security

What does the future of cyberspace look like? The idealistic notion of cyberspace as a 'free' and 'open' global infrastructure is progressively challenged by projecting territoriality and conveying traditional nation-state models of governance into cyberspace. The aim of this interdisciplinary paper is to examine the process of cyberspace territorialisation and to present a conceptual definition of a theoretical 'cyberterritory' as a bounded sovereign entity that operates under the jurisdiction of a certain nation-state. Firstly, we explain the different views of the cyberspace governance and summarize the latest developments in the UN's efforts to bring order over cyberspace. Secondly, we analyse the different views on 'digital sovereignty' and show how several nations have felt the need to express publicly their views on sovereignty in cyberspace. Thirdly, we discuss the possibility of new techno-economic alliances, because only few (if any) nation-states could have sufficient resources to be 'sovereign' in cyberspace. Finally, we present a conceptual definition of a theoretical 'cyberterritory' that encompasses political, legal and technical aspects. The significance of this paper is in its contribution to the discussion of future cyberspace governance by presenting a definition of a theoretical 'cyberterritory' as an entity of its own - a new nation-state 'digital terrain' of the future.

Digital sovereignty is a popular yet still emerging concept. It is claimed by and related to various global actors, whose narratives are often competing and mutually inconsistent. This article offers a mapping of the types of national digital sovereignty that are emerging, while testing their effectiveness in response to radical changes and challenges. To do this, we systematically analyse a corpus of 271 peer-reviewed articles to identify descriptive features (how digital sovereignty is pursued) and value features (why digital sovereignty is pursued), which we use to produce four models: the rights-based model, market-oriented model, centralisation model, and state-based model. We evaluate their effectiveness within a framework of robust governance that accounts for the models’ ability to absorb the disruptions caused by technological advancements, geopolitical changes, and evolving societal norms. We find that none of the models fully combine comprehensive regulation of digital technologies with a sufficient degree of responsiveness to fast-paced technological innovation and social and economic shifts. This paper’s analysis offers valuable lessons to policymakers who wish to implement an effective and robust form of digital sovereignty.

National security of the state is always a priority area for every state. Corruption in the defence sector is a problem that poses a serious threat to national security, economic stability, and public trust. The defence sector, which encompasses the military, defence procurement and related industries, plays a critical role in protecting the sovereignty of a country and its citizens, especially under martial law. However, when corruption permeates this sector, it can have far-reaching negative consequences.One of the main problems associated with corruption in the defence sector is the compromise of national security. Corrupt practices such as bribery, embezzlement and illegal arms trade can weaken a country’s defence capabilities by degrading the quality and efficiency of military equipment and services. This, in turn, endangers the lives of servicemen and the security of the entire nation.Corruption also distorts defence procurement processes, leading to inflated costs, substandard equipment, and limited competition. Unethical practices such as kickbacks and favouritism can undermine fair and transparent bidding procedures, preventing the selection of the most capable and cost-effective suppliers. As a result, limited resources are misallocated and taxpayer dollars are wasted, diverting funds from basic defence needs and undermining public trust in government institutions.To combat corruption in the defence sector, it is extremely important to prioritize anti-corruption measures and implement comprehensive strategies. This includes creating a strong legal framework and regulatory mechanisms, ensuring transparency, and developing areas of international cooperation. It has been proven that international cooperation in the field of defence is a platform for collective action, exchange of knowledge and mutual support in the fight against corruption. This strengthens the integrity of the defence establishment, promotes transparency in procurement processes and contributes to a global environment in which corruption is less likely to flourish.It is substantiated that the success of anticorruption measures in any field depends not only on the ability to respond to current manifestations of corruption and develop effective countermeasures, but also the ability to predict prospective changes and transformational processes in corruption and develop countermeasures. That is why it is already important to assess the potential “development” of corruption in the conditions of post-war reconstruction.

Europe is taking the lead in positioning itself at the forefront of digital governance with the accelerating transformation of global digital markets, which is reflected in policies that have frequently addressed digital sovereignty in their communications. However, the lack of conceptual agreement on the fundamental objectives of digital sovereignty leads to diverse interpretations by different actors within the European jurisdiction, expanding its scope but narrowing the intensity with which it is enforced. This article aims to solidify the concept of sovereignty in cyberspace in response to the digital insecurity in Europe amid increasing geopolitical tensions by examining the fundamental objectives of the European Union (EU) within its notion of digital sovereignty. It uses Gioia methodology [Gioia et al., 2013. Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: Notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational research methods, 16 (1), 15–31] as a theoretical approach towards qualitatively examining 79 legal documents selected via a rigorous screening process to identify six dimensions of the EU's strategic and digital goals while discussing its relevance to digital sovereignty. By analysing these dimensions, we provide actionable insights on digital sovereignty from the EU legislation grounded in empirical evidence and highlight the gaps in its implementation.

Digital Literacy is closely related to the use of digital technology and user readiness in utilizing digital technology. Mastery of technological and information advances makes humans think more creatively and innovatively. The ability of users in digital literacy includes the ability to create, use, create, utilize and evaluate the appropriate use of digital technology in everyday life. Digital sovereignty is the right and ability of a party to manage and control its own digital data both on content and information circulation. Indonesia's digital literacy index in 2022 shows a value of 3.54 or falls into the “medium” category, which means that there are still many improvements that can be made so that the literacy index can improve. Digital sovereignty is the ability of a party to control its own digital data, including control over the digital environment around it, including access to personal data. Activities to strengthen digital literacy to support Indonesia's digital sovereignty, including Indonesia being directed to shift from digital consumers to digital producers, encouraging the development of hardware and software in Indonesia, creating a digital development ecosystem, making a digital literacy blueprint, making policies or rules related to personal data protection and continuous education to the community.

The article is devoted to the problem of digital sovereignty in the countries of Latin and Caribbean America (LCA). The monopolization of the global information technology (IT) industry has led to a sharp increase in the technological dependence of less digitally developed countries. The mass spread of social networks and digital platforms has increased the risks of external actors interfering in the socio-political and economic processes of developing countries. LCA states that are actively involved in digital transformation continue to depend on external suppliers of equipment and software, while their technological potential and qualified personnel are widely used in the interests of North American Big Tech. Dependence on tech giants and vulnerability in terms of digital security are pushing the countries of the region to take measures to develop national competencies in advanced technologies, solve the problem of ensuring digital sovereignty in critical sectors of the economy, create a favorable environment for doing business in the digital sphere, and improve legislative regulation.

The article proposes the author’s interpretation of the concepts of ‘technological sovereignty’ and ‘digital sovereignty’. From the authors’ point of view, technologi cal sovereignty is a multilevel political, legal and socio-technological phenomenon that requires an interdisciplinary approach and comprehensive consideration. The content of the work traces the relationship between the digital transformation of society and the meaningful interpretation of technological sovereignty, presents and analyzes the structure of digital relations in the context of ensuring the sovereignty of the national digital space. At the same time, digital sovereignty is considered as a basic element of technological sovereignty. In addition, the authors discuss the clas sical and innovative foundations of the modern doctrine of sovereignty and security of Russian society, and propose the main directions of state policy in the field of ensuring technological sovereignty in the digital era of the development of Russian society. It is proved that the new technological structure of society will transform traditional sectoral national policies into cross-cutting strategic directions of state and legal activity, form so-called ‘cross-cutting state policies’, and also complicate the existing value-semantic and socio-normative systems. It is proved that the key direction of cross-cutting national policies will be ensuring technological sover eignty as a complex political and legal phenomenon, including both the classical foundations of sovereignty and the problems of formation and protection of critical technological, resource and energy infrastructure.

Unquestionably, energy transition, which entails increasing renewables in the energy mix, is among the most reliable strategies to discontinue the utilization of fossil fuels and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, technological advancement can not only stimulate green energy supply but also promote resource efficiency for realizing ecological goals. Also, persistent long-term energy policies and uninterrupted investments are needed to progress on SDGs for climate control and sustainable development. Hence, factors such as economic and government stability are pertinent to implementing and governing energy strategies. Against this background, this study assesses the potential of energy transition in meeting ecological goals by taking into account the roles of economic stability, technology, and government stability in BRICS from 1992 to 2018. Using the second-generation Westerlund cointegration test, the study found a long-run association among variables. The findings from the Continuously Updated Fully Modified (CuP-FM) test disclosed that energy transition is effective in limiting the ecological footprint (EF) in BRICS. Alongside this, economic stability and technology reduce ecological degradation. In addition, government stability stimulates environmental sustainability, while population density decreases environmental sustainability. Finally, the implications of these conclusions for meeting SDGs are discussed and policy directions are provided.

This study aims to analyze the legal framework of the Draft Law on Cybersecurity and Resilience (RUU KKS) in ensuring the protection of national strategic infrastructure and data, as well as to identify potential legal issues that may arise. The background of this research is driven by the growing threats of cybercrime in Indonesia, which have significant implications for national security, economic stability, and the protection of personal data. The research method employed is normative legal research using a conceptual approach and a statute approach. The data were collected from laws and regulations, academic literature, and relevant court decisions. The analysis technique used is qualitative descriptive, interpreting legal principles and assessing the coherence of existing regulations with the needs of national cybersecurity protection. The findings indicate that Indonesia’s current cybersecurity regulations remain fragmented across several sectoral laws, resulting in overlaps and weaknesses in ensuring legal certainty. The RUU KKS is expected to serve as a comprehensive legal instrument that strengthens the protection of critical infrastructure, prevents cyber misuse, and balances state interests with the protection of individual rights. Anchored in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, this regulation is essential to reinforce Indonesia’s digital sovereignty.

The shift in technological dominance from the defence sector to the civilian sector marks a transformative change in the landscape of innovation. Historically, the defence sector was the primary driver of groundbreaking technological advancements. However, the post-Cold War era has seen a reversal of this trend, as civilian-led advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, Cybertechnologies, and autonomous systems have outpaced defence sector innovation. This study explores the underlying causes of this shift, including the decline of interstate wars, the rise of startup culture, and the emergence of technology giants. It also examines the defence sector's adoption of open innovation strategies to leverage civilian technological advancements. This research demonstrates the critical role of open innovation in addressing the challenges of contemporary defence needs. The findings underscore the need for collaborative frameworks to bridge the gap between these sectors, ensuring technological superiority in an era defined by rapid civilian innovation.

There is an urgent need to examine how BRICS member states pursue and implement national digital sovereignty, because of the growing role of digital technologies in safeguarding national security, promoting economic growth, and preserving state independence amid global digital transformation. As geopolitical competition intensifies and external pressure mounts, BRICS countries aim to develop shared approaches to protecting their digital infrastructure and fostering national technological ecosystems. Deeper cooperation in this area serves Russia’s strategic interests by reinforcing its global political standing, diversifying economic ties, and ensuring technological autonomy from unfriendly states. The study’s objective is to identify the distinctive features of BRICS digital sovereignty policies. It reviews different interpretations of “digital sovereignty” and singles out five key implementation areas: control over production chains, management of communications and Internet infrastructure, regulation of digital platform services, control over disseminated content, and governance of data flows. The author conducts a comparative analysis of BRICS policies across these five dimensions, pinpointing the main similarities and differences in national approaches. The conclusion presents the author’s assessment of the risks and prospects for BRICS cooperation in bolstering digital sovereignty

This book is the first investigation of the relationship between EU digital sovereignty and sustainability strategies. It maps the ambitions and limitations of EU digital strategic autonomy and explores the structural challenges underlying its relationship with its green transition objectives in the context of the ongoing wars in neighbouring European countries and the consequent tensions in the EU energy sector. The EU is racing to achieve technological independence from third countries and foreign multinational companies to protect its digital sovereignty and preserve its fundamental rights. In the EU, digitalisation and the green transformation are seen as twin transitions. Yet, EU digital sovereignty strategies have a significant environmental cost. Reaching a status of strategic autonomy of the EU at the level of digital infrastructures, products, services and data implies higher energy consumption and exploitation of natural resources. Moreover, the geopolitical tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine have provoked an unprecedented energy crisis, which is affecting EU economies and impacting objectives of the twin transitions. The book offers an interdisciplinary analysis of the major EU regulatory and policy instruments in this field, providing an invaluable guide for academics, practitioners, and policymakers navigating the complex issues of preserving digital sovereignty and addressing climate change in times of war and energy crisis.

This paper explores the concept of digital sovereignty in the context of the United States government technology (GovTech), and the tradeoff of policy and infrastructure that is needed to balance national security and innovation. The U.S. federal and sub-national actors are confronted with an ever-changing threat environment, an increase in geopolitical rivalry, and a demonstration of frenzied adoption of cloud, AI, and edge platforms, both demanding that they keep their sensitive data safe and maintain an open system of innovation. This paper performs a cross-disciplinary policy analysis and comparative literature review, (1) mapping the available U.S. policy tools and infrastructural choices, (2) pinpointing practical tensions and modes of failure (reliance on the supply chain, vendor lock-in, lack of trust), and (3) a multi-layer, measurable model to balance sovereignty and innovation on behalf of GovTech: (1) using existing U.S. policy tools and infrastructural choices, (2) defining practical tensions and failure modes (reliance on the The main results (previewed) are that: (a) technical (sovereign cloud, zero-trust, hybrid edge architectures) and governance instruments (CFIUS screening, FedRAMP, NIST guidance) are complementary but cannot be fully relied upon; (b) policy volatility and uneven procurement practices create the opening of both risk and rapid innovation; and (c) the success is dependent upon the achievement of quantifiable objectives: security, resilience, competitiveness, and public legitimacy, by the means of interoperable standards and public-private experiment At the end of the paper, a set of specific policy recommendations and a policy evaluation rubric are provided to the policymakers and practitioners. Keywords: Digital Sovereignty, National Security Policy, Govtech Innovation, Cybersecurity Governance, Data Localization, Technology Regulation.

Recently, several private and political cloud initiatives emerged in Europe. This paper demonstrates how the sociotechnical imaginaries of three European cloud projects reveal a performative coupling of innovation and political ideas of control, territoriality and sovereignty. I ascertain three elements of the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries (innovation, boundary making and material properties) guiding the empirical analysis. Taking technology in the making and its role in (geo)politics seriously, this paper shows how imaginaries shape and interact with current geostrategic and political developments in Europe. The analysis of Microsoft’s cloud, Bundescloud and GAIA-X reveals that rising privacy and data security issues have been integrated into cloud imaginaries that traditionally highlight progress and innovation. More specifically, state actors and cloud providers link and sometimes merge allegedly opposing technological aspects of innovation and politicised ideas of control such as digital sovereignty. This shift constitutes a move towards erecting political borders and localising IT within a global infrastructure.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information, there has been an increase in the use of data-based digital technology, resulting in the exchange of data flowing beyond national borders and increasing the risk of cyber-attacks. This research aims to explore a cyber-defense system design to protect the informatics infrastructure of the defense sector. This study uses a quasi-qualitative approach with case studies on vital information infrastructure in the defense sector. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analyses. The data were analyzed using analysis techniques and a soft system methodology. The conclusion of this research is critical to protecting the vital information infrastructure of the national defense sector, and cross-sector and inter-governmental efforts are needed. This research contributes novel insights by identifying specific areas for investment, such as human capital development, advanced security technology, robust infrastructure, and enhanced international cooperation. Moreover, this study emphasizes the need for adaptability and a rapid response to emerging cyber threats. Keywords: Soft system methodology, Cyber-attacks, Cyber defense, Vital information infrastructure, Defense sector DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.11