Cybersecurity As Statecraft: International Regulatory Harmonization For A Secure Future

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of cyber threats—ranging from ransomware and state-sponsored attacks to data breaches—has elevated cybersecurity to a global priority. However, cyber policies remain fragmented across countries, hindering practical international cooperation, threat intelligence sharing, and incident response. Without harmonized policies, critical national infrastructure (CNI), including power grids, healthcare systems, and financial networks, continues to face escalating cyber risks. Nations adopt varied approaches to cyber governance: the U.S. promotes an open and interoperable internet, China stresses cyber sovereignty, and Saudi Arabia employs a hybrid strategy that balances national control with international collaboration. Geopolitical mistrust impedes progress toward global agreements, yet regional initiatives (such as the EU Cybersecurity Act and the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy) present viable pathways for harmonization. This project investigates how aligning global cybersecurity policies can bolster national security by enhancing defensive capabilities, fostering cross-border cooperation, and reducing risks to critical infrastructure.