Information security policy of the French Republic in the context of international political transformations

The focus of the thesis lies in the study of the information security policy of France within the framework of the transformation of the international relations system, which is increasingly characterised by the growing role of the information technology component as one of the key factors of the state's power and influence in the international arena.
The scientific paper examines the theoretical and methodological aspects of information security, its relationship with the concepts of "soft power", "smart power", and "hybrid war", as well as key features of information security policy at the supranational and national levels.
Specifically, the analysis encompasses the actions of international actors in the realm of information security, notably at the national level, focusing on France, Great Britain, and Germany, and at the supranational level, considering the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). The policies of information subjects are researched at several levels:
- regulatory and conceptual foundations of policies, where key strategic documents, laws, concepts, and decisions regulating the activities of actors in the field of information security are examined;
- institutional structure, where the organisation of the mentioned subjects, key bodies, their work, and the results of this work are examined;
- the role of the society and private sector in the formation and implementation of information security policy;
- concrete examples of the implementation of information security policy, which make clear the peculiarities of the interaction of these policies with the real political environment.
The study of information security policy is particularly focused on addressing information threats and challenges stemming from Russia's hybrid activities against Western nations. Using the method of comparative analysis, the key trends, regularities and specifics of the information security policies of the specified subjects of international relations have been identified.
The focus of the thesis on France's information security policy allowed for a comprehensive and systematic examination of this aspect of French policy, considering its complexity and coherence. Specifically, a detailed examination has been conducted on the regulatory and legal framework that delineates and oversees the information security policy of the French Republic. The institutional structure underpinning this policy has been identified, and the involvement of both the private and public sectors as state partners in safeguarding society from information age threats has been thoroughly outlined. On the example of specific cases of information challenges encountered by France, the study illustrated the effectiveness of the established information security policy in responding to and mitigating threats.
Furthermore, the study underscores the crucial and effective experiences gained from the implementation of France's information security policy, emphasizing its potential applicability for Ukraine in crafting a comparable policy. This approach makes it possible to evaluate French policy in terms of its practical utility as a template for other nation-states.
The research's scientific novelty is grounded in its thorough analysis of the information security policy of France in modern international relations. The thesis delves into the present-day trends within the theoretical framework and practical implementation of foreign and security endeavours among Europe's leading states. In particular, the issue of information security was considered not from a technical point of view, but taking into account numerous political, socio-economic and international factors. Thus, the information security policy of France was investigated in its relationship with the similar policy of the EU and NATO, its society, in particular, information players such as business and the public, as well as the direction of the information policy of France to counter Russian hybrid threats was highlighted.
The research's scientific novelty is also determined by the fact that the issue of information security is considered as one of the most pressing aspect in ensuring the national security of the French Republic. In this context, particular emphasis is placed on matters pertaining to state regulation within the sphere of information security.
Based on the results of the scientific study, the author's main provisions, which are submitted for defence and contain elements of scientific novelty, are formulated. The main ones are as follows:
for the first time:
- the current information security policy of France underwent thorough examination, encompassing its internal national dimension as well as considering Union, cooperation and maximum coordination of the efforts of national states and supranational institutions is important to effectively counter modern information challenges;
- research on the foreign policy of France, in terms of its information content within the evolving landscape of international relations, notably the rising hybridization of threats focusing on the information and technological aspects, has been explored. The importance is proven rapid adaptation of the private, the state sector and the public to new challenges and information-technological progress as a necessary condition for "survival" in the modern realities of the global information struggle;
- determination of the key components of France's information security policy at the regulatory and institutional levels in the areas of combating disinformation and cyber attacks. Based on this, conclusions are proposed for improving Ukraine's information security policy as one of the necessary conditions for victory over Russia.
The practical significance of the study results lies in their applicability for subsequent scientific investigations, particularly within the context of information security policy and the European integration movement of Ukraine.
Certainly, the results of the thesis can be directly applicable and beneficial to the activities of diplomatic institutions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in particular in the line of cooperation with international organisations, alliances and other partners. They can also become important sources of information for governmental, political and public institutions whose area of responsibility is strategic planning of national security and defence. Thus, the findings of the study hold significant relevance for enhancement of Ukraine's Cyber Security Strategy and Information Security Doctrine. In addition, the results can be used by Ukrainian media and fact-checking organisations to adopt the experience of France, in particular, the private, the state sector, and the public to improve their work in the fight against disinformation and destructive external information influence.

Фурсай О. В. Політика інформаційної безпеки Французької Республіки в умоваx міжнародно-політичниx трансформацій : дис. … д-ра філософії : 291 Міжнародні відносини, суспільні комунікації та регіональні студії / Фурсай Олександра Володимирівна. – Київ, 2024. – 225 с.