The Invisible Battlefield: Analyzing Cybersecurity Threats and Their Implications on Ethiopian National Security (2013-2023)
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Date
2024-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis investigates the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats in Ethiopia over the past decade, elucidating the underlying factors and assessing their impact on national security. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from open interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The findings of the analysis showed that the data obtained from multiple sources indicated a significant escalation in both the frequency and sophistication of cybersecurity threats, posing an increasing challenge to Ethiopia's cyber resilience. Key contributing factors were identified as insufficient cybersecurity infrastructure, dependency on foreign technology, outdated or inadequate cybersecurity policies, local political dynamics, and geopolitical tensions. These factors collectively amplify the severity of the cyber risk confronting the nation. These findings further underscore the critical implications of cybersecurity threats to Ethiopian national security. Manifestations of these threats include disruptions to critical infrastructure, adverse effects on political stability, and compromises to national sovereignty due to recurrent nation-state cyber-attacks.
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Keywords
Cybersecurity Threats, National Security, Foreign Technology Dependency, Cybersecurity Policies, Political Dynamics, Cyber-Attacks, Critical Infrastructure, National Sovereignty.