No. 9 (2025)
No. 9 (2024): THE STUDY OF SECURITY
THE STUDY OF SECURITY - Issue 9/2024 - Institute of Security and Sociology, Pomeranian University in Słupsk
From the Editors
Dear Readers,
We are pleased to present the ninth issue of the journal “Studia nad Bezpieczeństwem” (Security Studies), published by the Institute of Security and Sociology at the Pomeranian University in Słupsk. This issue continues the tradition of publishing scientific studies devoted to the multidimensional aspects of security—national, international, and social. The journal is open access. It publishes articles on national and international security, covering areas such as social determinants of security, security theory, external and internal security, security engineering, and security education.
The authors of this volume reflect on security in its various contexts: theoretical, organizational, historical, and informational. Professor Wiesław Babik's article, which opens issue No. 9/2024 of the journal Studia nad Bezpieczeństwem (Studies on Security), is entitled “Cyberspace security as a civilizational challenge related to information security in tomorrow's society.” This text is an introduction to the issues of contemporary and future challenges in the field of cybersecurity, presenting them as one of the most important issues of the information society. The author emphasizes that cybersecurity concerns not only the protection of the digital sphere of information, but also the sustainable development of the human information environment.
An article by Zbigniew Wilczyński entitled “Main aspects of cooperation between the Citizens' Militia and the Security Service in the 1970s and 1980s” is a study based on an analysis of archival materials from the Institute of National Remembrance concerning the hitherto little-described issue of relations between the two security formations of the Polish People's Republic. The author attempts to show the similarities and differences in the objectives, methods, and competences of the Citizens' Militia (MO) and the Security Service (SB), as well as the degree of their mutual overlap in operational activities. Based on official sources and internal departmental studies, specific examples of cooperation between the two services in the areas of information exchange, economic protection, and combating political opposition are presented.
He article by Waldemar Pierzchlewski and Halina Węgrzyn entitled “Prospects for nearshoring industrial production from China. Direction and challenges in the context of local entrepreneurs' needs” is an analysis of contemporary economic trends related to moving industrial production closer to target markets. The authors address the topic of nearshoring as an alternative to the decades-long dominance of offshoring to China, which has made that country the so-called “world's factory.” They point out that geopolitical changes, rising labor costs in China, disruptions in supply chains, and pressure for sustainable development and carbon footprint reduction are causing more and more companies to consider moving production to countries closer to European markets. The aim of the article is to present the prospects, directions, and challenges of nearshoring in the context of the needs of local entrepreneurs. The authors analyze both economic and logistical factors, as well as social and environmental conditions that influence decisions to relocate production. They also discuss the importance of technological innovation and the European Union's industrial policy in the process of building more resilient and flexible supply chains.
The next article, entitled "Before cyberterrorism appeared. The communications system and equipment of the Border Protection Forces in the protection of the maritime border of the Polish People's Republic in the second half of the 20th century. Selected issues. Part I," is an interesting study on the borderline between military technology and national security. Authors Ireneusz Bieniecki and Izabela Szkurłat present the functioning of the communications system within the structures of the Border Protection Forces (WOP) responsible for protecting the maritime border of the Polish People's Republic in the second half of the 20th century. The analysis covers both the organization of communication networks and the characteristics of the communications equipment used in coastal brigades, such as radio stations, telegraph devices, and information transmission systems.
In the current issue of Security Studies, you will also find articles on contemporary approaches to conflicts, their nature, and new dimensions of security in an era of rapid technological progress. Particularly inspiring in this context is Professor Andrzej Żebrowski's article entitled “The interpenetration of military and non-military conflicts at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. Selected aspects.” Based on an analysis of current phenomena in the field of global security and the literature on the subject, the author shows the evolution of the nature of contemporary conflicts, which are no longer exclusively military in nature. He points out that under the influence of civilizational changes, scientific and technological revolutions, and the development of modern technologies—especially information and communication technologies—the boundaries between armed and non-military conflicts are blurring, creating a complex structure of new types of threats. Professor Żebrowski points out that, alongside traditional theaters of war—land, sea, air, and space—new areas of conflict have emerged: cyberspace and the human mind, which are becoming key areas of competition in the 21st century. This phenomenon is accompanied by the development of global information warfare, in which information operations play a supporting role, but at the same time determine strategic advantage.
Tymoteusz Peta's article entitled “Analysis of the readiness of the city of Słupsk to face cybersecurity threats – a case study: hacker attack on the Shared Services Center” is an example of a practical approach to analyzing the resilience of local administrative structures to incidents in cyberspace. The author discusses a hacker attack that took place in August 2022, when, as a result of a breach of the municipal servers of the Shared Services Center in Słupsk, personal data, including information about teachers in the Słupsk district, was encrypted. Based on an analysis of official documents, communications, and the opinions of those affected, the study focuses on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the municipal digital security system. The text presents a critical assessment of the actions taken by local authorities in terms of incident management and personal data protection. The author points to shortcomings in crisis response procedures, communication with the public, and cooperation with institutions responsible for information security. At the same time, he draws attention to existing development potential, such as increasing awareness of threats among administration employees, educational initiatives, and the need to implement modern monitoring and protection tools. T. Pety's article is diagnostic and analytical in nature and is an important voice in the discussion on the digital security of local governments. It draws attention to the real consequences of cyberattacks for local communities and highlights the need to build the cyber resilience of cities based on an integrated organizational, technological, and educational approach.
Dawid Czarnecki's article entitled “The war in Ukraine and Poland's security in the eyes of the local community” analyzes the impact of the ongoing armed conflict on Poles' subjective sense of security. The author approaches the topic from a local perspective, presenting the results of original empirical research on social reactions and perceptions of threats arising from the Russian-Ukrainian war. The study points out that Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was a turning point for the global security architecture, and its effects extend far beyond the area of direct military operations. D. Czarnecki emphasizes that in a globalized and interdependent world, it is impossible to limit the impact of this conflict on Poland's security or to completely eliminate the sense of social anxiety.
An article by Vasyl Shynkaruk, Lidia Shynkaruk, and Oksana Zakhutskaya entitled “Security aspects in international relations in Central and Eastern Europe in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war” provides an in-depth geopolitical analysis of the current security situation in the region, which, as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has become one of the key areas of tension and upheaval on the international security map. The authors attempt to identify changes in the security environment of Central and Eastern Europe and assess the effectiveness of existing international mechanisms for deterring aggression and maintaining regional stability. The study uses geopolitical analysis, content analysis, and discourse analysis, which allowed for a comprehensive approach to the issue. The article assesses the geostrategic location of the countries in the region, their participation in international organizations (such as NATO, the European Union, and the OSCE), as well as their involvement in military and security initiatives. The authors point out that the Russian-Ukrainian war has forced many countries in the region to redefine their foreign policy, seeking to strengthen defense alliances, diversify energy sources, and increase strategic resilience.
An article by Krzysztof Jurek entitled “Poland's energy security in the face of domestic and global threats: the current situation, challenges, and prospects for the future in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war” addresses the highly topical issue of the functioning and stability of Poland's energy system in a rapidly changing international situation. The author analyzes energy as a key pillar of national security, pointing out that the Russian-Ukrainian war has significantly accelerated the transformation processes in European and national energy policy. This conflict has highlighted the scale of dependence on external raw materials, especially Russian ones, and the need to diversify energy sources, develop renewable energy sources (RES), and increase Poland's strategic autonomy. The study presents the influence of the main international actors - the European Union, the United States, and Russia—on the direction of Polish energy policy. The author shows how decisions made at the global level shape national security, economic, and climate strategies. He also analyzes the decarbonization process as a challenge, but also as an opportunity to build a modern and sustainable energy sector.
Rafał Piotr Depczyński's article entitled “International and national security in political and military terms” analyses the interrelationships between two key dimensions of security – global and national – in the context of contemporary political and military conditions. The author points out that international security, based on a system of organizations and institutions such as the UN, NATO, and the European Union, is the foundation for maintaining peace and stability on a global scale. At the same time, he emphasizes that the real security of a state depends to a large extent on the effectiveness of these structures, existing international treaties, and the durability of military alliances that define the framework for cooperation and mutual defense commitments. The publication also discusses the political and military aspects of national security in Europe, with particular emphasis on the impact of the current Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the security systems of the countries in the region. The author analyzes changes in the European security architecture, the growing importance of collective defense within NATO, and the need to redefine national strategies in the face of new hybrid and geopolitical threats.
We conclude issue 9 of Security Studies with a reflection on the meaning of service, learning, and responsibility—values that connect all the texts in this issue. The authors, representing various research centers and generations of scholars, address the most important issues of contemporary security: from military and energy threats, through civilizational and social challenges, to cybersecurity and information resilience. It is no coincidence that this issue ends with a biographical sketch dedicated to Commander Ireneusz Bieniecki, retired Second Lieutenant of the General Staff — a soldier, scientist, teacher, and man devoted to the idea of serving his country. Lt. Ireneusz Bieniecki, a soldier, scientist, teacher, and man devoted to the idea of serving his country. His biography is a testament to the fact that security is not only a field of research, but also an attitude—a path of responsibility, memory, and professionalism.
We would like to thank all authors, reviewers, and readers for their trust, cooperation, and joint efforts in creating a space for reflection on the security of individuals, the state, and the world. Let us also remember those who, through their knowledge and service, have contributed to building this community.
We encourage you to read this issue of Security Studies and to contribute to future issues as a forum for the exchange of ideas, research, and experiences for the development of knowledge about human and global security.
Editorial Committee
