Telefon nr. Jacob H: 40104830 - Jacob J:22364558 - Fadi A: 93409595 Jens Lie: 20841806: Small states in cyberspace A case study of Danish cybersecurity policy in the EU and NATO
Translated title
: Small states in cyberspace A case study of Danish cybersecurity policy in the EU and NATO
Authors
Hansen, Jacob Brink ; Dar Assi, Fadi Mohsin ; Stokbro, Jens Lie ; Jensen, Jacob Munch
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-05-29
Pages
129
Abstract
Using Denmark as a case, this thesis joins the social science debate about the growing challenges small states face in cyberspace—the world of the internet and digital networks. It examines Denmark’s position as a small state in relation to NATO and the EU. The evidence shows that the role of small states in cyberspace is still undefined and that cyberspace introduces new security issues and dynamics into international politics. Conventional cybersecurity studies often overlook small-state perspectives. To address this, the thesis analyzes Danish cybersecurity strategies with a special focus on international cooperation. The findings indicate that Denmark has multiple options and challenges in the global cybersecurity arena. However, Denmark has been relatively passive in striking a balance between NATO, the EU, and domestic politics, leading to missed opportunities in both organizations. Neither NATO nor the EU can guarantee Denmark’s cybersecurity, but both—especially the EU—offer initiatives that can offset Denmark’s relative weakness, including sharing expertise and intelligence, building capacity, and providing emergency response to cyberattacks. Because of the high domestic political risk of referendums to lift Denmark’s EU opt-outs in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (justice and home affairs) and in defense, Denmark has been reluctant to pursue deeper EU cooperation on cybersecurity.
Med Danmark som case deltager dette speciale i den samfundsvidenskabelige debat om de voksende udfordringer, små stater møder i cyberspace – dvs. i internettets og digitale netværks verden. Specialet undersøger Danmarks rolle som småstat i forhold til NATO og EU. Det viser, at småstaters rolle i cyberspace er uklart, og at cyberspace bringer nye sikkerhedsproblemer og dynamikker ind i international politik. Traditionelle studier af cybersikkerhed overser ofte småstatsperspektivet. For at dække noget af dette analyserer specialet danske cybersikkerhedsstrategier med særlig vægt på internationalt samarbejde. Resultaterne peger på, at Danmark i den globaliserede cybersikkerhedssfære har flere muligheder og udfordringer. Danmark har dog været forholdsvis passiv i at finde en balance mellem NATO, EU og indenrigspolitiske hensyn, hvilket har betydet, at muligheder i begge organisationer er blevet forpasset. Hverken NATO eller EU kan garantere Danmarks cybersikkerhed, men begge – især EU – tilbyder initiativer, som kan kompensere for Danmarks relative svaghed, bl.a. gennem videns- og efterretningsdeling, kapacitetsopbygning og beredskab mod cyberangreb. På grund af høj indenrigspolitisk risiko ved folkeafstemninger om at ophæve EU-forbehold på det retlige og indre område (Area of Freedom, Security and Justice) og på forsvarsområdet, har Danmark været tilbageholdende med at forfølge et dybere EU-samarbejde om cybersikkerhed.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords
Cybersecurity ; Small State ; Denmark ; NATO ; EU ; Cyberpolicy ; Danish AFSJ ; Defense Opt Out ; Alliances ; International Institutions ; Norm-building ; Cyberspace