Cybersecurity, Data Governance and Open Source Intelligence

The goal

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of information security and data policy. Through the analysis of the data economy, regulatory frameworks, and security challenges, as well as practical case studies and open-source tools, the course explores how digital technologies, surveillance, and open sources shape contemporary social, political, and security processes.

The outcome

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the role of data as a strategic resource and understand its economic and political value. They will be capable of assessing risks and threats to critical infrastructure, the public sector, and society as a whole, as well as identifying and explaining key challenges related to data protection, privacy, and human rights in the digital environment. Through case studies and practical exercises, students will learn to research and apply OSINT tools in the analysis of security and political phenomena, linking theoretical concepts with real-world examples. By the end of the course, they will be prepared to independently design analytical or research projects that integrate knowledge from cybersecurity, data policy, and open-source intelligence.

Contents of lectures

1. The Role of Data and Information Security in Contemporary Societies
2. The Data Economy
3. Data Ownership and Rights
4. Information Security and Critical Infrastructure
5. Information Security and Cyber Resilience
6. Information Security and the Internet of Things (IoT)
7. Reading Week
8. Cyberattacks (Ransomware) on the Public Sector
9. Personal Data Protection and GDPR
10. Digital Surveillance
11. Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector
12. Open Data
13. Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
14. Reading Week
15. Reading Week

1. Araujo, M. S. d., B. A. S. Machado, and F. U. Passos. 2024. “Resilience in the Context of Cyber Security: A Review of the Fundamental Concepts and Relevance.” Applied Sciences 14: 2116.

2. Bygrave, Lee A. 2025. “The Emergence of EU Cybersecurity Law: A Tale of Lemons, Angst, Turf, Surf and Grey Boxes.” Computer Law & Security Review 56: 106071. ISSN 2212-473X.

3. Crawford, Kate, and Vladan Joler. 2023. Calculating Empires: A Genealogy of Technology and Power Since 1500. https://calculatingempires.net/. De Franceschi, Alberto, and Michael Lehmann. n.d. “Data as Tradeable Commodity and New Measures for Their Protection.” The Italian Law Journal 1 (1). ENISA.

Lectures, seminars