CYBER-SECURITIZATION IN LIGHT OF THE SNOWDEN REVELATIONS: EFFECTS ON INSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN THE US AND EU

Abstract

This article examines the securitization of cybersecurity through a discourse analysis of the Snowden revelations. Using a critical discourse analysis approach, this study explores the language and narratives used by policymakers and other stakeholders in the cybersecurity field to construct and frame cybersecurity threats and responses. The article argues that the securitization of cybersecurity is a complex and multifaceted process that is shaped by a range of social, cultural, and political factors. Through a detailed analysis of official documents, speeches, and media reports, this study reveals the ways in which the Snowden revelations were framed and constructed as a security threat, and how this framing has shaped the development of cybersecurity governance in the US and EU. The article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the securitization of cybersecurity and highlights the importance of discourse analysis in studying this critical field.