In the second half of the 20th century, humanity went through an unprecedented technical and technological development. As a result, technological innovations emerged in the course of the last third of the century which have now become indispensable parts of everyday life, the whole society and even the state. Among them, we must mention the IT sector, which has effectively enabled global contacts and communication between people and organizations across different parts of the world through various tools, programs and networks. Moreover, it also facilitates and simplifies everyday tasks both in the private and the public sector. Cyberspace is a unique and complex phenomenon, since it can be described with physical and geographical concepts, but in addition, its virtual features also have extraordinary relevance. As a result of its remarkable expansion, fundamental areas such as sociology, geopolitics, security policy or warfare must also be reconsidered. This paper provides an overview of the new types of security challenges for the 21st century, most notably security risks related to the cyberspace. In addition, some aspects of cyber warfare, such as cyber intelligence, cyber attack and cyber defense are examined. Particular attention is given to the question whether a cyber attack in itself can reach the level of an armed attack, and if so, what means can be used by the State under attack in defense.

Public trust is essential for credible and consistent state security policy, defense operations, and communications. In the twenty-first cen-tury, the social context of security has expanded significantly, necessitating that society acquire credible and up-to-date security knowledge. This arti-cle examines the relationship between the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national security actors within the rule-of-law frame-work, focusing on how the trust factor influences goal fulfilment. The study uses a normative analysis of sustainable development goals, emphasizing the social pillar and its connections to national security institutions. It high-lights the importance of continuous, trust-based communication between the public and social partners, reflecting transparency and accountability. The integration of sustainability into national security strategies—particu-larly concerning climate change and energy security—is explored through the strategies of NATO member states. The article also discusses the mu-tual reinforcement between social stability, economic stability, and na-tional security, emphasizing that achieving the SDGs enhances national se-curity, and vice versa. This comprehensive approach fosters effective, long-term solutions by integrating the SDGs into the national security frame-work, ultimately promoting social trust and stability.

The method of hybrid threats and the underlying conceptual framework have been widely investigated again since the second half of the 2000s, following Hezbollah’s tangible military success in Lebanon against the Israel Defense Forces in 2006. This was exacerbated by the activities of the Islamic State, which conducted a sophisticated and rather aggressive marketing campaign, and developed psychological warfare in cyberspace to a high level. Various operations in the context of the Ukrainian crisis and the Russian annexation of Crimea have once again brought hybrid warfare into the spotlight. The hybrid equipments are not new in history, but their success has been obviously enhanced by the development of technology, especially cyberspace and the wide range of opportunities cyberspace offers. Following the Russian–Ukrainian crisis, it has also become clear that hybrid instruments can not only appear as parts of a complex interstate conflict but that some of their elements can be used on their own. Clear examples of this include various disinformation campaigns. In this paper, the authors highlight, through a characterisation of hybrid conflicts, the extent to which the use of soft assets is an immanent part of contemporary military operations. The filtering practices and mechanisms, economic and market perceptions of social media platforms can be used to conduct disinformation campaigns.

This study hypothesizes the gradual emergence of a defence and security constitution within the broader constitutional and state-building processes of the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. While the 1867 Compromise established a dualist constitutional framework for political governance, it also triggered a parallel institutional and legal evolution in the field of state defence and security. The evolution of this defence and security constitution and the modernization of Hungary’s defence system - beyond their historical significance - might offer a valuable framework for addressing today’s security challenges. The research draws on primary sources, including legal texts and historical documents, as well as secondary literature and employs a historical-legal approach, analyzing the development of Hungary’s defence institutions and their constitutional framework.

Contemporary security is increasingly defined by a matrix of hybrid threats, driven by info-communication revolutions that blur the lines between war and peace. Mainstream literature typically explains these challenges through the concept of ‘hybridity,’ focusing on post-Cold War technological and tactical novelties. However, this approach often lacks deeper historical and state-theoretical grounding. This study proposes a new theoretical framework by drawing a parallel between the current security environment and the 20th-century transformations analyzed by Carl Schmitt. We argue that the defining characteristic of contemporary security is not ‘hybridity’ but ‘totality.’ By reinterpreting Schmitt’s concepts of the ‘total state’ and the ‘partisan,’ we situate today’s challenges within a longer historical process of societal and political totalization, accelerated by the info-communication revolution. The analysis employs a qualitative methodology combining theoretical synthesis, historical-comparative analysis, and conceptual critique. Our analysis identifies a ‘total security environment’ characterized by three key attributes: (1) the complete fusion of military, economic, social, and informational domains; (2) the collapse of spatial and temporal constraints on state and non-state action; and (3) the systemic vulnerability of the state’s own normative and legal foundations. We demonstrate that hybrid threats are a logical manifestation of this total environment, representing ‘total threats’ that demand ‘total responses.’ By foregrounding ‘totality’ over ‘hybridity,’ this study provides a novel foundation for understanding and addressing contemporary security challenges. It suggests that effective solutions require moving beyond tactical countermeasures and rethinking statehood itself, focusing on systemic resilience, adaptable governance models, and societal preparedness. The historical experiences of previous security paradigm shifts offer crucial patterns for navigating this new era of total security.