Presentation

INSET (CrItical Studies in INtelligence, Technologies, and SEcuriTy Governance) aims to develop complex and transdisciplinary competences necessary to understand the dynamics of the 21st century world, which is increasingly technology-based, security challenged and highly volatile. Recent security policy developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the events in Crimea after 2014 and large-scale disinformation campaigns leading to social polarisation and political radicalisation highlight the existing ruptures between public institutions, private security actors (companies and NGOs) and the general public.

In addition, the emergence of new technologies and their transformative impact on security have made it clear that social processes can be influenced by large-scale information manipulation using technology. This forces state institutions and private security actors to develop new adaptive learning processes to assess and defend against hybrid aggressions that have become the norm in the 21st century.

European societies are currently facing a number of challenges, some of which are due to technological developments. The widespread use of technology in the everyday lives of institutions and individuals exposes them to cyber attacks such as ransomware, denial of service or data infiltration and extraction. More sophisticated cyber actors can develop targeted malware to attack critical infrastructure or protected military facilities. Social polarisation and radicalisation has increased significantly with the development of micro-level targeted disinformation campaigns, leading to the creation of echo chambers and the demise of the traditional vertical communication model.

In addition, solutions to climate change will require the development of relevant technologies to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions and the monitoring of the implementation of intergovernmental agreements.