THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO DEFINING «HYBRID THREATS» AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE INFORMATION SPHERE

DOI: 10.31673/2786-7412.2026.011196

Abstract

The complexity of the modern security environment necessitates a
rethinking of theoretical approaches to interpreting the phenomenon of hybrid threats
and their managerial consequences for the information sphere. The blurring of
boundaries between military, political, economic and digital instruments of influence
creates challenges for public administration, as traditional response models prove
insufficient in conditions of multi-domain pressure. The uncertainty of definitions and the
fragmentation of regulatory approaches complicate the formation of a coordinated state
information policy.
The aim of the study is to systematize theoretical approaches to defining hybrid
threats and clarify the mechanisms of their impact on the information sphere in the
context of public management. The methodological basis is a conceptual analysis, a
comparative approach to interpreting definitions, elements of systemic and institutional
analysis, as well as a structural and functional assessment of the impact on information
processes.
The study found that theoretical approaches to the interpretation of hybrid threats
are developing in several complementary dimensions: conceptual, legal, security and
political, information and communication and management. It is shown that the central
tool of influence on the information sphere is disinformation, which is combined with
manipulative narratives, algorithmic content amplification and behavioral mechanisms
of influence on the audience. It is proven that the effectiveness of the state response
depends on the ability to combine regulatory restrictions with the speed of communication
response, as well as on the level of coordination between strategic communications
subjects and risk analysis structures. The feasibility of the transition from reactive models
to a continuous management cycle of monitoring, evaluating and adjusting information
policy is substantiated.
The conclusions obtained indicate that the integration of theoretical approaches
into the practice of public management allows for the formation of a more coherent model
of information resilience management. The scientific novelty lies in the complex
combination of conceptual and managerial interpretations of hybrid impacts with a focus
on the institutional capacity of the state. The practical value is determined by the
possibility of using the results to develop information security strategies, improve strategic communication mechanisms, and increase the adaptability of management
decisions in the digital environment.

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