National Security, Media, and Cybersecurity Threats: A Strategic Framework for Secure Cyberspace Governance in Developing Countries

Introduction

The mass espousal of the Internet in the 1990s brought about an era of hope and optimism. Here was a platform that enabled instant communication and the sharing of and access to information. Early proponents asserted that access to the Internet would democratise societies in the long run. However, as The Economist points out, ‘these days it is the Internet’s defects, from monopoly power to corporate snooping and online radicalisation, that dominate the headlines.’ (The Economist, 2019). Indeed, disregard for personal data by media by extension the social media networks, the notoriety of fake news and deep fake content, as well as the growth of cybercrime have dampened the early enthusiasm for connected societies. There is also an increase in cyber fatigue, as Internet users are constantly bombarded with privacy and safety warnings.

At the outset of the digital age, it was hoped that technology would inevitably bring about more openness, freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, since then authoritarian states have learnt how to manipulate technologies to silence dissidents and use the Internet as a propaganda outlet. These states furthermore cite security concerns, claiming protection of their citizens when they limit their rights to access social media platforms and messaging apps. The rise of fake news in a post-truth world  has indeed been exploited by certain states, non-states actors, individuals and politicians, who create their own narratives as part of information warfare against local and foreign dissenters and critics. Anyone who has an opposing point of view is typically labelled as a ‘foreign agent’. This is often followed by attacks on the person’s integrity and character on social media and may be coupled with physical harassment or intimidation in the real world.

However, now that humanity is no longer viewing technology through rose-tinted glasses, it may be more mature about the regulations required. The road ahead is not paved or even well lit. Legislation and regulation are necessary to both enable the rights of citizens on the Internet and protect them from cybercrime and the unauthorised use of personal data (Turianskyi,2020:p 3). Governments need to perform a balancing act in these matters to ensure that there are appropriate regulations in place that allow them to deal with cybercrime without infringing on online freedoms or providing opportunities for security services to spy on their citizens. Maintaining a balance between protecting citizens from cybercrime and maintaining their Internet freedoms is indisputably difficult and is further complicated by the fact that technology tends to be years ahead of policy. Therefore, policymakers need to work with technology experts to stay up to date with the latest developments, as well as to ensure that regulation does not stifle innovation

The continuous development of the internet in the last few decades together with the resulting growth, innovation and capital investment in related technologies, compel developing nations to establish and mature its cybersecurity environment in order to mitigate the threats that accompany the vast capabilities that these innovations provide. The growing access of developing countries to cyberspace, requires that all such countries should have a proper plan to help secure their cyberspace. Although some documents for this purpose do exist, they are usually long and complex and do not provide simple and clear-cut guidance on where to start securing cyberspace. Developing countries, because of financial and expertise constraints, cannot do everything at the same time – so a more basic document is needed with clear steps on how to start