SI-014-03:
Cybersecurity & Digital Sovereignty Framework

Situation
The rapid digitalization of national infrastructure, economy, and governance has created a new layer of dependency on digital systems, platforms, and technologies—many of which are externally controlled or influenced.

Critical systems such as financial networks, telecommunications, cloud infrastructure, and data platforms are increasingly exposed to cyber threats, including state-sponsored attacks, ransomware, data breaches, and infrastructure disruption. At the same time, reliance on foreign technologies, software ecosystems, and cloud providers introduces strategic vulnerabilities, where external actors may exert influence, impose restrictions, or disrupt operations.

Moreover, cybersecurity efforts remain fragmented, focusing primarily on defensive measures at the organizational level rather than a unified, national-level strategy. There is limited integration between cybersecurity, national security, and digital governance, resulting in gaps in visibility, coordination, and response.

Shift
Cybersecurity must evolve from fragmented, defensive protection to a national-level, sovereignty-driven digital security architecture.

This involves integrating cybersecurity into the broader national security framework, where digital infrastructure is treated as critical national assets, and data is recognized as a strategic resource.

The focus shifts from reactive defense to proactive resilience and control, ensuring that the nation has visibility, authority, and autonomy over its digital systems. Digital sovereignty becomes a core principle, encompassing control over data, infrastructure, standards, and technological dependencies.

Cybersecurity is no longer an IT function, but a central pillar of national security and governance.

Advantage
Thailand has the opportunity to build a cohesive cybersecurity and digital sovereignty framework as part of its broader digital transformation agenda.

The country’s growing digital economy, national digital identity systems, and expanding infrastructure provide a foundation for centralized coordination and policy alignment. Compared to more mature but rigid systems, Thailand can design its digital security architecture with integration and sovereignty as core principles from the outset.

This enables Thailand to position itself as a secure and trusted digital hub in the region, enhancing both national resilience and economic attractiveness.

Additional Structural Advantage
Thailand can leverage its regulatory authority, national infrastructure, and public-private ecosystem to establish a layered digital sovereignty model, including:

• control over critical infrastructure (networks, data centers, cloud environments)

• governance over data flows, storage, and access

• development of national cybersecurity standards and protocols

• strategic partnerships that balance openness with sovereignty

Additionally, integration with NSOS enables cybersecurity data and threat intelligence to be incorporated into a broader national security framework, ensuring real-time visibility and coordinated response across domains.

Implication
Without a strong cybersecurity and digital sovereignty framework, the nation becomes increasingly exposed to invisible yet systemic risks, including data exploitation, infrastructure disruption, and external influence over critical systems.

This leads to a gradual erosion of sovereignty, where key decisions and operations are indirectly shaped by external technological dependencies.

Conversely, a well-designed framework enables the nation to maintain control, resilience, and strategic autonomy in the digital domain. It enhances trust in digital systems, supports economic growth, and strengthens the overall national security posture.

Cybersecurity and digital sovereignty become not only protective measures, but foundational enablers of national power in the digital age.

Action Layer