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EC11 - Cybersecurity in the Political Domain: Internal and External Dimensions

Cyber power, governance, and conflict in contemporary international politics.

Credits

7.5 ECTS

Semester

2 Semester

Delivery

Online

Duration

13 weeks

Language

English

About This Course

This is a second-semester course in the MBA in Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies &
Governance
This course examines cybersecurity as a political and strategic issue shaping contemporary international relations. It explores how cyber threats affect democracy, national security, diplomacy, and global governance, focusing on the behaviour of state and non-state actors in cyberspace. Integrating international relations theory, law, ethics, and emerging technologies, the course equips students to analyse cyber conflict, power, and governance, and to develop informed strategic responses to complex cyber-political challenges.

What You Will Learn


Cybersecurity & Global Politics

  • Foundations of cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and cyber politics
  • How cyber threats influence national security and international relations
  • Strategic behaviour of states and non-state actors in cyberspace


Cyber Threats to Democracies & Societies

  • Disinformation campaigns, election interference, and digital manipulation
  • Social, cultural, and economic impacts of cyber attacks
  • Hybrid threats combining cyber operations and information warfare


Governance, Law & Emerging Technologies

  • International legal frameworks and norms governing cyberspace

  • Ethical implications of cyber operations and digital surveillance

  • Impact of emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing on cyber conflict

Your 13-Week Journey

Here’s how your learning unfolds

Week 1 – Cyber Threats and Cyber Politics

Foundations of cybersecurity, resilience, and political impact.

Week 2 – Cyber Threats to Democracy

Disinformation, elections, and institutional resilience.

Week 3 – Actors in Cyberspace

States, non-state actors, and hybrid conflict dynamics.

Week 4 – Social and Cultural Cyber Impacts

Trust, behaviour, and digital manipulation.

Week 5 – Cybersecurity in World Politics

Geopolitics, national strategies, and power.

Week 6 – International Relations and Cyber Theory

Applying IR theories to cyberspace governance.

Week 7 – Cyber Conflict and Military Security

Cyber warfare, defence systems, and escalation risks.

Week 8 – Cyber Conflict and Diplomacy

Attribution, crisis management, and interstate relations.

Week 9 – Economic Impact of Cyber Threats

Financial systems, infrastructure, and economic resilience.

Week 10 – International Law and Cyber Ethics

Legal frameworks, sovereignty, and digital rights.

Week 11 – Emerging Technologies and Cyber Futures

AI, quantum computing, and evolving threats.

Week 12 – Strategic Cyber Resilience

Policy responses, capacity building, and cooperation.

Week 13 – Cyber Crisis Simulation

Strategic decision-making under real-time pressure.


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Skills You Will Gain

Cyber Policy Analysis

  • Applying international relations theories to cybersecurity challenges
  • Evaluating cyber incidents through legal, ethical, and political perspectives
  • Assessing geopolitical implications of cyber operations and hybrid conflicts

Strategic Decision-Making in Cyber Crises

  • Designing policy responses to complex cyber threats
  • Managing cyber crisis simulations and scenario-based decision processes
  • Integrating diplomatic, legal, and technical considerations in strategy development

Communication & Collaborative Leadership

  • Communicating cybersecurity insights to policy and public audiences
  • Working in interdisciplinary teams addressing cyber policy challenges
  • Leading negotiation and coordination processes in high-stakes cyber scenarios

Continue Your Journey