Cybersecurity in Digital Sovereignty: Protecting National Digital Ecosystems against Foreign Cyber Infiltration in the Age of Decentralized Technology

Abstract

Digital sovereignty has emerged as a critical national security imperative as states seek to maintain control over their digital infrastructures amid evolving cyber threats and the increasing decentralization of technology. This study examines how cybersecurity strategies protect national digital ecosystems against foreign infiltration, particularly in the context of decentralized technologies like blockchain and peer-to-peer networks. Through the analysis of systematic reviews and case studies, we identify key threat vectors, including state-sponsored espionage, ransomware attacks, and supply chain compromises, that undermine governmental control over critical systems. Decentralized technologies present paradoxical challenges, simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities through distributed attack surfaces and jurisdictional ambiguities while offering enhanced resilience and trustless security models. The research reveals that adequate digital sovereignty protection requires multi-layered cybersecurity frameworks that integrate legal measures, international cooperation, and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. Case studies from Estonia, the European Union, and Russia illustrate diverse approaches to striking a balance between technological autonomy and international collaboration. Future threats from quantum computing and AI-enabled cyber warfare necessitate adaptive strategies that combine indigenous capabilities with global partnerships to address these emerging challenges.