Twenty-five years have passed since the international security architecture underwent a fundamental transformation. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, changed not only the paradigm through which threats were perceived, but also the logic governing the distribution of power and responsibility among states. The concept of national security, previously regarded primarily as the prerogative of state institutions, expanded to encompass the awareness and engagement of individual citizens. Security became a matter not only of state responsibility, but also of individual responsibility.
September 11 accelerated the development of counterterrorism measures. It was during this period that the large-scale institutionalization of counterterrorism began across government bodies, intelligence agencies, research centers, and international organizations. This process directly influenced the transformation of national security strategies, legislation, and frameworks for international cooperation. The trend is based on the political premise that an informed and mobilized society is a valuable participant in a stateโs security policy, and that even a seemingly insignificant action by an individual may directly affect national security.
It is important to recognize that the threats posed by terrorism have not disappeared from the international agenda. Instead, terrorism continues to adapt alongside geopolitical changes and emerging configurations of power. Today, more than ever, the effective management of terrorist and hybrid threats originating in cyberspace is essential. This requires not only technical measures, but also the adaptation of the security architecture to the changing realities of power, sovereignty, and the international order.