Abstract
The article attempts at the semantic analysis of the term «digital security», revealing the scope of the meaning of this concept on the basis of theoretical and empirical research. The topicality of the problem is determined by the frequency, expansion of the use of the term «information security», which is associated with the phenomenon of the rapid development of digital technologies, and followed by systems to ensure the protection of digital information at all levels – state, corporate, personal.
The research problem is connected with the insufficiently studied meaning of this term; therefore, the aim of the work was to identify the specific semantic field of the phrase «digital security». The tasks to be solved during the study are its distinction from semantically related phrases and concepts, clarification of the understanding of the term by representatives of target audiences.
Due to the novelty of entering language lexicographic practice (dictionaries), this term has not yet been fully described, which is of interest not only from a scientific and substantive point of view (legal, informational, communication, multimedia, technological, etc.), but with semantic as well.
Theoretical and empirical research methods were used in the work: in addition to a thorough analysis of open sources, a survey was conducted of more than a hundred respondents – representatives of target audiences using modern digital technologies and an interactive method of collecting information.
The study allowed us to conclude that the semantic core of the concept of «digital security» consists of the following meanings: «security of information, digital data, personal information in a digital environment, digital information»; «protection, digital information security»; «Internet security»; «Confidentiality and integrity of information in digital form»; «Security when using digital technologies», «information security in digital networks, information systems», etc. Associations and connotations form the semantic periphery, such as «protection against hacks and hacker attacks»; «storage (security) of data on a personal device»; «cybersecurity»; «awareness of individuals and the population about certain safe ways of working with information», etc.
The analysis also allowed us to conclude that the term (phrase) «digital security» is stable, it is synonymous in the minds of many carriers with combinations of the noun security with the adjectives information, computer, cyber, electronic, as well as the prospects for enhancing its further existence in the language.