The Confluence
Student Type
Undergraduate
Document Type
Article
Abstract
As digital technology continues to reshape the foundations of modern life, the question of how states respond to cyber threats has become increasingly urgent. This paper examines how political systems shape national cybersecurity policies by comparing Estonia and Russia, two countries facing similar external threats but governed by vastly different structures. Estonia’s democratic framework emphasizes transparency, citizen participation, and international cooperation, while Russia’s semi-authoritarian model centers on state sovereignty, centralized control, and strategic offensive capabilities. Drawing on key historical events, including the 2007 cyberattacks on Estonia and the 2016 attacks on Russian banks, the paper explores how each state’s political cultural and international orientation influence its approach to digital defense and privacy. While their responses diverge in structure and intent, both countries share a recognition of cybersecurity as a national priority and the need to protect critical infrastructure. By placing cybersecurity within a broader political and cultural context, this analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how governance, power, and digital resilience are intertwined in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Recommended Citation
Morales Palacios, María Paula
(2025)
"Cybersecurity and Global Threats: A Comparative Analysis of Estonia and Russia’s Policies,"
The Confluence: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62608/2150-2633.1076
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theconfluence/vol4/iss1/2
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Date
February 11, 2025
Included in
Arts and Humanities Commons, Comparative Politics Commons, Computer Sciences Commons, International Relations Commons
Author Bio
María Paula is an undergraduate student at Lindenwood University, pursuing a degree in International Relations and Political Science with a Pre-Law Emphasis. Her academic interests include global security, cybersecurity policy, and the intersection of governance and technology. She is passionate about cross-cultural understanding and hopes to pursue graduate studies in intelligence analysis and global security.