The Transformation of Legal Frameworks Through Secure Digitisation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v11i1.835Keywords:
Digital. cybersecurity. cyberterrorism. e-governance. legal relationsAbstract
Purpose: This research article aims to study the positive and negative factors in implementing electronic document management, analyse the legal aspect of its functioning in the international context, and identify gaps in ensuring cybersecurity.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research methodology was developed using a mixed approach. The qualitative aspect of the study included literature analysis, comparative analysis, statistical data analysis, generalisation, and systematisation, and the quantitative aspect assessed the impact of digital innovations on cybersecurity risks. A survey of legal experts (total = 16 participants) was conducted. The results were interpreted by correlation analysis conducted in the JASP statistical software using Pearson's Correlations tool.
Research Limitation: The study's main limitation is its focus on the domestic problems of implementing electronic document management in the context of rapid digital transformation.
Findings: The study found that electronic document management will mainly increase productivity by simplifying the basic processes of searching, editing, storing, and sharing digital documents. This will increase the availability of digital information, which, at the same time, will increase the risk of cyber terrorism.
Practical Implication: The study provides industries with actionable insights on optimising workflows, reducing operational costs, and mitigating cybersecurity risks through secure and efficient electronic document management.
Social Implication: The research results point to gaps in the modern electronic document management system, which is beneficial to society and provides the opportunity to increase transparency and trust in government institutions by improving the efficiency and security of document management systems.
Originality/Value: The study expands the scholarly discourse on digital governance by aligning technological progress with international legal standards and cybersecurity practices, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice in digital transformation research.
References
Abacı, K., & Medeni, I. T. (2022). Efficiency of electronic document management systems: a case study. Science, Education and Innovations in the context of modern problems, 5(3), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.56334/sei/5.3.7
Abidin, S. S. Z., & Husin, M. H. (2018). Improving accessibility and security on document management system: A Malaysian case study. Applied Computing and Informatics, 16(1/2), 137–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aci.2018.04.002
Asogwa, B. E. (2013). E-government as a paradigm shift for efficient public services: Opportunities and challenges for Nigerian government. Library Hi Tech, 31(1), 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831311303985
Benmakhlouf, H., & Chouaou, A. (2024). Electronic document, information, and archive management systems in economic institutions: A descriptive study of the onbase system. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 9(6), e4755. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2024.v9i6.4755
Bielialov, T., Kalina, I., Goi, V., Kravchenko, O., & Shyshpanova, N. (2023). Global experience of digitalisation of economic processes in the context of transformation. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 11(3), e0814. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i6.2041
Boiko, O. (2024). Electronic Document: Domestic and International Experience of Information Storage. Bulletin of the KhDAK, 65, 25–36. https://doi.org/10.31516/2410-5333.065.02
Bondarenko, S., Makeieva, O., Usachenko, O. Veklych, V., Arifkhodzhaieva, T., & Lernyk, S. (2022). The Legal Mechanisms for Information Security in the Context of Digitalisation. Journal of Information Technology Management, 14, 25–58. https://doi.org/10.22059/jitm.2022.88868
Cámara de Diputados (2012). The Law of Advanced Electronic Signature. Cámara de Diputados. https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/lfea.htm
Check Point Research (2024). Check Point Research Reports Highest Increase of Global Cyber Attacks seen in last two years – a 30% Increase in Q2 2024 Global Cyber Attacks. Check Point. https://blog.checkpoint.com/research/check-point-research-reports-highest-increase-of-global-cyber-attacks-seen-in-last-two-years-a-30-increase-in-q2-2024-global-cyber-attacks/
Di Marzo Serugendo, G., Cappelli, M. A., Falquet, G., Métral, C., Wade, A., Ghadfi, S., & Cutting, G. (2024). Streamlining Tax and Administrative Document Management with AI-Powered Intelligent Document Management System. Information, 15(8), 461–494. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15080461
FDIC (2014). Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign Act). Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. https://www.fdic.gov/system/files/2024-06/x-3-1.pdf
Global Growth Insights (2024). Electronic Document Management System Market Size (USD 7513.54 M) by 2032, by type (Powder, Liquid), by applications covered (Medicine, Functional Foods) and Regional Forecast to 2032. Global Growth Insights. (pp. 1–100). https://www.globalgrowthinsights.com/market-reports/electronic-document-management-system-market-101265
Government of Canada (2000). Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Justice Laws Website Canada. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-8.6/FullText.html
Gruzd, M. V., & Yermolenko, O. O. (2023). Analysis of effectiveness of electronic governance of administrative services provision system. Current issues in modern science, 3(9), 142–182. https://doi.org/10.52058/2786-6300-2023-3(9)-142-182
Kouroubali, A., & Katehakis, D. G. (2019). The new European interoperability framework as a facilitator of digital transformation for citizen empowerment. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 94, 103166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2019.103166
Krasnykov, Y., Bobos, O., Lavrinets, I., Khabarova, T., & Zozulia, N. (2024). The Impact of Electronic Governance on the Quality of Public Services and Municipal Property Management. Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 16(1), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.62271/pjc.16.1.201.216
Krysovatyy, A., Desyatnyuk, O., & Ptashchenko, O. (2024). Digital Innovations and their Ramifications for Financial and State Security. African Journal of Applied Research, 10(1), 431-441.
Kussainova, A. K., Hoffmann, T., & Omarova, A. B. (2020). Specifics of international legal and national regulation of electronic document management. Journal of actual problems of jurisprudence, 93(1), 195–208. https://doi.org/10.26577/JAPJ.2019.v89.i1.019
Lovdata (2003). Act relating to electronic communications. Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance. https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2003-07-04-83#:~:text=The%20Act%20applies%20to%20activity,names%20and%20addresses%20are%20included
Lovdata (2018). Act on the implementation of the EU regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (Act on electronic trust services). Ministry of Digitisation and Administration. https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2018-06-15-44
Lovdata (2019). Regulations on trust services for electronic transactions. Ministry of Digitisation and Administration. https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2019-11-21-1577
Nagy, G. (2016). Disruptive developments in document recognition. Pattern Recognition Letters, 79, 106–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2015.11.024
NetFreedom (2024). Ukraine entered the list of the most attacked countries in cyberspace. Internet Freedom UA. https://netfreedom.org.ua/article/ukrayina-uvijshla-do-pereliku-najbilsh-atakovanih-v-kiberprostori-krayin-svitu
Orazgaliyeva, S., Satpayeva, Z., Tazhiyeva, S., & Nurseiytova, G. (2023). E-government as a tool to improve the efficiency of public administration: The case of Kazakhstan. Management, 21(2), 578–591. http://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.21(2).2023.53
Ortina, G., Zayats, D., Akimova, L., Akimov, O. & Karpa, M. (2023). Economic Efficiency of Public Administration in the Field of Digital Development. Economic Affairs (New Delhi), 68(3), 1543–1553. https://doi.org/10.46852/0424-2513.3.2023.21
Pappel, I., Butt, S., Pappel, I., & Draheim, D. (2020). On the specific role of electronic document and record management systems in enterprise integration. In Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress on Information and Communication Technology: ICICT 2020. Springer Singapore, 2, 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5859-7_3
Pappel, I., Pappel, I., Tepandi, J., & Draheim, D. (2017). Systematic digital signing in Estonian e-government processes: influencing factors, technologies, change management. Transactions on Large-Scale Data-and Knowledge-Centred Systems XXXVI: Special Issue on Data and Security Engineering, 10720, 31–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-56266-6_2
Pasichnyk, M., Savchuk, H., Strelbytska, S., Tkach, L., Patrytskyi, V., & Palekha, Y. (2024). Technologies for Electronic Document Management in the Enterprise. In: Štarchoň, P., Fedushko, S., Gubíniová, K. (Eds.), Data-Centric Business and Applications. Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies, 213, 199–223. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62213-7_10
Petrosyan, A. (2024). Distribution of cyberattacks across worldwide industries in 2023. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1315805/cyber-attacks-top-industries-worldwide/
Poliakov, O. M. (2023). Modern trends in detecting and countering the use of spyware and malware. Information and Law, 2(45), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.37750/2616-6798.2023.2(45).282332
Pritee, Z. T., Anik, M. H., Alam, S. B., Jim, J. R., Kabir, M. M., & Mridha, M. F. (2024). Machine learning and deep learning for user authentication and authorisation in cybersecurity: A state-of-the-art review. Computers & Security, 140, 103747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2024.103747
Rawat, D. B., Doku, R., & Garuba, M. (2019). Cybersecurity in the big data era: From securing big data to data-driven security. IEEE Transactions on Services Computing, 14(6), 2055–2072. https://doi.org/10.1109/TSC.2019.2907247
Riigikogu (2000). Digital Signatures Act. Eesti Riigikantselei. https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/compare_original/530102013080
Riigikogu (2001). Law of Obligations Act. Eesti Riigikantselei. https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/506112013011/consolide
Riigikogu (2018). Personal Data Protection Act. Eesti Riigikantselei. https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/104012019011
Rüßmann, M., Lorenz, M., Gerbert, P., Waldner, M., Justus, J., Engel, P., & Harnisch, M. (2015). Industry 4.0: The future of productivity and growth in manufacturing industries. Boston Consulting Group, 9(1), 54–89. https://inovasyon.org/images/Haberler/bcgperspectives_Industry40_2015.pdf
Shvets, D. V. (2019). Mechanisms for ensuring cyber security in the information space. Combating cyber threats and human trafficking. (pp. 14–17). KhNUVS. http://surl.li/zyvzua
Singapore Statutes Online (2010). Electronic Transactions Act. Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/ETA2010
Singapore Statutes Online (2012). Personal Data Protection Act. Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/PDPA2012
Stouffer, C. (2022). 115 cybersecurity statistics + trends to know in 2024. Norton. https://us.norton.com/blog/emerging-threats/cybersecurity-statistics
Straits Research (2024). Industry 4.0 Market Size & Share, Growth Analysis and Forecast to 2031. Straits Research. https://straitsresearch.com/report/industry-4-0-market#:~:text=Market%20Overview,period%20(2023%2D2031)
VRU (2003). On electronic documents and electronic document flow: Law of Ukraine No. 851-IV of 31 December 2023. Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/851-15#Text
VRU (2017). On electronic digital signature: Law of Ukraine No. 852-IV of 07.11.2018. Legislation of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/852-15#Text
Warner, K. S., & Wäger, M. (2019). Building dynamic capabilities for digital transformation: An ongoing process of strategic renewal. Long Range Planning, 52(3), 326–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2018.12.001
Zhang, F., Yang, B., & Zhu, L. (2023). Digital technology usage, strategic flexibility, and business model innovation in traditional manufacturing firms: The moderating role of the institutional environment. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 194, 122726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122726
Zhang, M., & Kaur, M. (2024). Towards a theory of e-government: Challenges and opportunities, a literature review. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(10), 7707. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i10.7707
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 AFRICAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
By submitting and publishing your articles in the African Journal of Applied Research, you agree to transfer the copyright of the Article from the authors to the Journal ( African Journal of Applied Research).