Thornike Zedelashvili’s research while affiliated with Caucasus International University (Georgia) and other places

The challenges and threats from cyber security are increasing every day in the world. All this has a significant impact on international relations. When we are dealing with such a revolutionary development of technology as in the 21st century, it is already necessary for all states to have high-standard cyber security systems. This is not an easy issue to solve, because cyber security requires quite a lot of finances, human resources, and also specially trained professionals. Threats emanating from cyberspace need a proper response, in this case we have no choice, the whole world is facing danger. Cybercrime and the damage caused by it are increasing year by year. Also, all this affects a person psychologically and leaves a feeling of insecurity. The biggest problem is that aggressive states, terrorist organizations, non-state groups, large corporations, etc. are mostly involved in this virtual war (as in the real one). As an example, we can cite such an aggressor state as Russia, which carries out major cyber attacks against Ukraine, Georgia and other states whose cyber security systems are less protected. The transition of political, military, social or criminal processes into cyberspace has made cyber security one of the main segments of state security. Countries with developed cyber-offensive potential, primarily Russia, successfully use cyberspace both during war and conflict, as well as in peacetime, to gain geopolitical advantage. This article discusses the challenges and threats associated with the development of modern cyber and information technologies, analyzes the threats associated with the new information security capabilities of modern states, including cybersecurity. The aim of the paper is to present the role of cyber security in the Russia-Ukraine war and the threats arising from it. The following methods are used in the paper: methods of historical-descriptive, policy research and comparative analysis. The paper uses the theories of balance of power and securitization.

In the 21st century, there are many threats and challenges in the world. All this poses a significant threat to states and humanity. Also, new standards need to be developed in light of the growing threats from cyberspace. Worldwide studies and existing facts show that today’s defense mechanisms cannot adequately deal with the created situation – aggressor states very quickly adopt new technologies and use them to the detriment of other countries. That is, they pose a threat to other states. In this case, the main topic of our research is cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, along with hard power and asymmetric threats. In many cases, it is the main cornerstone of starting a cyber war. There are facts when it is impossible to determine the origin of the cyber-attack, and the issue remains unclear. But there are also numerous examples of almost open cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. There are confirmed facts from where the cyber-attack was carried out, which is internationally assessed as a cyber war.

The states face many dangers in modern international politics. The size of threats and risks is growing, which requires great effort and struggle from states to ensure security. One of the major challenges in the 21st century is the threats posed by cyberspace, such as cybercrime, cyber terrorism, and so on. The role of states and international or regional organizations should be in ensuring a safe environment, in improving protective mechanisms, as well as in improving the economic and environmental situation through the use of technological advances, and in caring for public order and other welfare, for which the developed countries of the world are working today, also by joint efforts of the EU and NATO. However, more effort and involvement are needed. The research raises important questions: What are the consequences for the world? Where are we, and where are we going? A pandemic, a crisis, a lot of dangers in both the real and the irreal world, that is, in cyberspace, which does not even lag behind the real one. The paper discusses the standards and mechanisms of how governmental institutions and international or local organizations should operate to minimize the damage from cyber-attacks. The paper also discusses the introduction of cyber threats and what solutions can be found to neutralize and mitigate the threats. It is impossible to localize cyber threats at this stage fully, and why it is impossible, this issue is also discussed in the paper. NATO and EU cyber security policies and existing standards are also discussed. We also talk about the cyber security environment and policy of Ukraine and Georgia.

The world is living in a state of constant psychological warfare, technological advances and development; in the 21st century Internet governance has become a puzzle for scientists and practitioners. Virtual warfare is an alternative to real warfare, one of the biggest threats to global security. In discussing the issue, we must consider the capabilities of the world’s leading countries, and first of all, identify the threat posed by Russia, which is the core of unpredictable aggression. This state is trying to influence almost the whole world with large-scale cyber-hacking attacks and continuous disinformation and fake news. Today it is difficult to find out where the theoretical war begins and where the practical military aggression ends, so new research, recommendations, scientific papers, and defence strategies are needed. Defensive mechanisms are created for cyber-attacks and this is always followed by more powerful attacks; that is why NATO enacted Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or the principle of “collective defence.” The article discusses Russia’s aggressive policy towards Georgia during and after the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008. The features of the Russian hybrid war and cyber attacks are discussed.

In the modern period,world politics is significantly influenced by the threats posed by the virtual space and asymmetric military challenges, where an important issue is devoted to nuclear safety. From the asymmetric threats, we can single out several types that directly pose risks to global security: hybrid warfare, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and cyber terrorism, the creation and proliferation of nuclear weapons.Global security is facing many threats and challenges that are becoming increasingly difficult to combat and control. The paper discusses the dangers posed by virtual space and its role in global politics. The article discusses the main threats to cybersecurity in Ukraine. Significant attention is also paid to the asymmetric threats and the dimension of nuclear safety. The issue of nuclear security has become increasingly important since the violation of various international treaties on nuclear disarmament and arsenal reduction.

The work deals with the topic of cyberwar as a phenomenon of asymmetric threat and cyber-nuclear security threats in modern world politics, potential threats to international politics and global security issues, counter-terrorism policies are discussed. The paper discusses the challenges facing cyber security worldwide and the phenomenon of cyber security against the backdrop of asymmetric threats. Cyberspace has already become a weapon of infinite capacity for the whole world. It has generated positive effect as well as has become the area of evil for terrorists, which are actively using modern technologies, computer systems. The facts are many and we are often in the center of events. With the development of technology in the 21st century, global changes are taking place in international security, the geopolitical transition and new threats and challenges, and international security issues are becoming increasingly important. The international security system is vulnerable to challenges such as the use of weapons of mass destruction and cyber terrorism. The article discusses the dangers and problems of hybrid warfare in international security, as well as the Russian-Georgian hybrid warfare. Keywords: Cyberwar, asymmetric threat, hackers, attack, hybrid war, Russia-Georgia, NATO, EU, nuclear terrorism, nuclear security

The international security environment, which needs to be upgraded to security mechanisms, does not have two views. The level of threats, risks and challenges of information warfare is quite high. Protecting yourself from the information war and its most powerful component - disinformation - is not easy, although every country tries to protect itself in a complex way, but at least every state must have its own effective defense mechanisms. Measures and measures taken by individual countries are often not sufficient. The efficiency of the information war was facilitated by scientific and technological advancements, which led to the manipulation and control of certain masses. In this respect, it is important to involve international organizations, develop strategic documents and defense mechanisms.We often emphasize that technology development has both pros and cons. Let's imagine two sides of the same coin. Nevertheless, we should not miss the third theoretical issue, namely, raising the awareness and educating the masses. The information warfare is always aimed at consciousness and the main target of propaganda is a person who is not versed in modern technology, has no idea of the Internet system and the production of ‘fake news’. Unfortunately, today's ”fake news”has become so widespread throughout the world that if you are not properly trained, you may find it very difficult to tell the lie and the truth. Education, special methodological programs, this is one of the important parts of the global problem.