New State-Nation Security Challenges in Cyberspace with Emphasis on the Islamic Republic of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Political Science and International Relations, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In the last two decades, security challenges in cyberspace have been the ultimate current problem of governments with cyberspace and network-based infrastructure. in addition to the unique opportunities it has created for nation-states, has also raised concerns. One of these concerns is the national security issues of nation-states, which have been severely threatened by organized and destructive cyber activities. This research uses a descriptive-analytical method to test the hypothesis and the library and phishing method to collect data and information, along with the use of Castells's network community theory, to answer this question. The question is what are the new security challenges of the nation-state in cyberspace with emphasis on the Islamic Republic of Iran? The results of this study indicate that new cyber technologies, despite opening up irreplaceable opportunities in the military, economic, cultural, political and social spheres, have led to the advancement of nation-states. But at the same time, it has jeopardized national security and interests. In the meantime, the Islamic Republic of Iran, due to the fact that most of its economic, commercial, cultural, social and governmental activities and interactions are carried out at all levels, including individuals, non-governmental organizations and governmental and governmental institutions in cyberspace. Hence, over the past decade, it has always been under widespread cyber-attack by its enemies, and therefore has suffered great damage at various material and spiritual levels. This has led the country to place a high profile on the issue of cyber deterrence in its defense strategy.

Keywords