Concluding Part
In recent years, the definition of national security has expanded to include non-traditional threats such as climate change, pandemics, and cybersecurity, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of global risks. While some experts argue for a broader approach, others advocate for a more narrow focus to avoid diluting national security strategies and resources. This ongoing debate presents a complex challenge for policymakers who must balance traditional security concerns with emerging global threats.
The United Nations and organizations like NATO have increasingly recognized the impact of climate change and health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as serious security threats. These non-traditional threats can disrupt societies, economies, and governance, raising concerns about their long-term effects on national stability.
However, critics argue that emphasizing environmental threats and public health crises risks diverting attention from more immediate geopolitical risks, such as terrorism and armed conflicts. In their view, too broad a definition of national security could overshadow the need to address direct and immediate security challenges, particularly in volatile regions where terrorism and political instability remain high priorities.
One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the recognition of cybersecurity as a core element of national security. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks, governments, businesses, and critical infrastructure have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions. These attacks, often state-sponsored, can compromise sensitive data, shut down vital infrastructure, or destabilize political systems. Unlike traditional security threats, the risks associated with cyber-attacks are often invisible and do not involve physical warfare, which complicates traditional security paradigms. As a result, cybersecurity has become a top priority for many nations, prompting governments to invest heavily in cyber defence strategies to protect their sovereignty and economic stability.
To establish Canada as a global leader in cyber innovation, the Government of Canada plans to invest in various facets of the cybersecurity industry. This involves funding existing initiatives such as Canada's Digital Charter and the Cyber Security Innovation Network, among others, and continuing to provide grants and contributions through the Cyber Security Cooperation Program. Additionally, the government announced the Canadian Cyber Security Certification Program, which aims to enhance cybersecurity in the defence sector.
AI technology has also emerged as a growing concern in the context of national security. For instance, DeepSeek, an AI product that became the top-ranked app in the U.S. Apple App Store, has sparked alarms due to its potential use in surveillance and espionage. Critics argue that AI models could be employed to spy on civilians, gather proprietary information, and wage influence campaigns. Leading technologists and political leaders have expressed concern that the country that develops AI the fastest will gain a significant economic and geopolitical advantage. Some view AI development as an existential arms race, with the potential to reshape global power dynamics. The rapid advancement of AI technology has thus become a key component of the national security discourse, with governments scrambling to establish regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI is developed responsibly and does not pose a threat to national security.
Policymakers face the difficult task of distinguishing between immediate threats and long-term issues that may not yet be urgent but still require attention. Some experts advocate for a comprehensive security framework, where threats are not viewed in isolation. In this model, human security-encompassing health, economic stability, education, and access to essential resources-is considered foundational to national security. The policy of Integrated Security, for example, raw materials security, supply chain security, cybersecurity, security against disinformation, and the security of critical infrastructure laid out in the National Security Strategy.
The growing recognition of human security's role in national security is evident in countries like Finland, where the government has adopted a holistic approach to security. Finland has acknowledged that the well-being of its citizens, both socially and economically, is integral to maintaining national security. This recognition is part of a broader trend toward understanding security as a multidimensional concept that goes beyond traditional military and political concerns.
To effectively manage national security, governments employ risk assessment frameworks that evaluate the likelihood and impact of various threats. These frameworks help decision-makers prioritize which risks to address first, based on their potential to destabilize the country.
However, the dynamic and evolving nature of threats means that governments must remain flexible and agile in their security planning. For example, the emergence of new technological threats, such as cyber-attacks and AI developments, requires governments to continually adapt their strategies. Effective national security planning must account for both traditional threats, such as armed conflicts, and emerging challenges, such as climate change and global health crises.
Japan's revised 2022 National Security Strategy redefined economic security as the pursuit of national security through economic means. Recognizing the equal importance of economic security alongside traditional national security, it follows that a second key policy document should be developed to guide Japan's future decisions on securing national interests through economic strategies. The country has already made significant progress in addressing short- to medium-term economic security challenges within its current framework.
Policymakers must increasingly recognize the interconnected nature of security threats and adopt a more holistic approach to national security. National security strategies must incorporate a wide range of concerns, from climate change and cyber threats to public health and economic stability. By doing so, governments can ensure that they are better equipped to address both current and future challenges, ultimately enhancing the safety and well-being of their citizens.
The debate over the definition of national security is far from settled. As global risks evolve, so too must our understanding of what constitutes a national security threat. Policymakers will need to continue adapting their strategies to balance traditional and emerging threats, ensuring that national security remains robust in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. The key to success will be flexibility, adaptability, and a comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors that contribute to a nation's security.
A change in mindset across the whole of society when it comes to security situations would bring an effective national security policy. "Security today is everyone's responsibility." On 24 June 2011, the Spanish Government approved the first National Security Strategy with this motto as the pillar on which Spain has to build for the next decade its international strategic role in a new, multipolar, and ever-changing world. Their first National Security Strategy, subtitled 'Everyone's Responsibility,' followed the pattern of the European Union with the European Security Strategy and other European countries such as France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. So, an agreement to take joint, integrated action in light of this is required. Integrated Security also means that each and every individual can help improve the security of a country. The National Security Strategy sets out conclusions, values, goals, and interests in black and white to provide a starting point for us to find solutions together.
The writer is researcher and analyst on international relations and security affairs
