Military in Cyberspace: Strategic Move or Threat to Digital Freedom?

Nazhif Ali Murtadho, S.H.

Contributor

01 Apr 2025 · 22:01 01 April 2025 22:01 WIB 7 minutes reading time: 7 minutes 54 read

The TNI's authority in cyberspace raises pros and cons. If not clearly regulated, it could trigger overlapping authorities and threaten digital freedom.

Military in Cyberspace: Strategic Move or Threat to Digital Freedom?

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Table of Contents

Many parties are starting to question whether this policy will actually create overlapping authorities between institutions. One of those who highlighted this issue was Nenden Sekar Arum, Executive Director
Conflict of Authority with BSSN and Other Institutions
The Role and Controversy of Military Involvement in Cyber Security
Balance Between Security and Freedom
Conclusion

Section 2/3: Conflict of Authority with BSSN and Other Institutions

Conflict of Authority with BSSN and Other Institutions

Not only Kominfo can be affected, but also BSSN, which has played a major role in regulating national cyber security. BSSN functions as an authority that sets cyber security policies in various sectors, including government and digital infrastructure. If the TNI also starts entering this field, how can we ensure that their cooperation does not clash with existing tasks?

Parasurama Pamungkas, a researcher from the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), explained that cyberspace can be divided into three main categories: First, cybercrime, which is handled by the National Police and Kominfo. Second, cyber security and cyber defense, which are under the authority of BSSN. Third, cyber defense, which should be the main task of the TNI.

The limitations for the TNI in occupying strategic positions in state cyber and/or code institutions must be clear, only limited to certain positions and not at the leadership level. Because these institutions are civil institutions that are under civil law regulations. If active TNI soldiers are allowed to occupy leadership positions in this institution, this could potentially create a risk of "militarization of cyberspace" and not comprehensively accommodate various aspects of cyber security, especially those that are technical or related to economic interests.

This means that if the TNI is involved in dealing with cyber threats outside the defense aspect, they have actually entered the working area of other institutions. This is not only confusing, but could also lead to conflicts of authority that complicate the existing system. Worse yet, without clear regulations, the TNI could go further into the public's digital space, even to aspects that should not be part of their duties.