Gergana Varbanova
E-mail: g.varbanova@naval-acad.bg
Gergana Varbanova is an associate professor, PhD in “Civil and Family Law” in the “Information Technologies” department of the “Engineering” faculty at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna. Her scientific interests are in the field of information technology law, the legal framework of electronic evidence, and its application in the context of cybersecurity.
pp. 23-31
The advancement of artificial intelligence systems and the increasing accessibility of technologies capable of rapidly and inexpensively generating synthetic content – deepfakes – with a high degree of illusory credibility pose serious challenges to cybersecurity. These developments underscore the urgent need for an adequate legal framework to protect both individual citizens' rights and national security. This protection must be achieved through the enhancement of societal and individual critical awareness in response to the growing volume of synthetic content. Deepfakes undermine trust in the authenticity of information, create conditions for reputational damage, manipulate public opinion, erode institutional authority, and complicate evidentiary procedures in judicial practice.
This study aims to analyze the cybersecurity challenges and the impact of deepfake technologies on the resilience of cyberspace. It highlights the necessity of establishing a comprehensive legal framework that reflects the dynamic nature of the increasing use of synthetic content as a tool for conducting cyberattacks.
In conclusion, the study asserts that an effective legal response should be not only restrictive and reactive but should also foster a culture of critical thinking in order to restore trust in the digital environment.
Deepfake, Cybersecurity, Synthetic Content, Legal Framework, Epistemic Vigilance.
Varbanova, G. (June 2025). Deepfake and the Collapse of Trust: Challenges to Cybersecurity and the Rule of Law. Security and Defense(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.70265/segd3729
Varbanova, Gergana. "Deepfake and the Collapse of Trust: Challenges to Cybersecurity and the Rule of Law." Security and Defense (Vasil Levski National Military University Publishing Complex), № 1 (June 2025): 23-31. https://doi.org/10.70265/segd3729
Varbanova, G., 2025. Deepfake and the Collapse of Trust: Challenges to Cybersecurity and the Rule of Law. Security and Defense, June, Issue 1, pp. 23-31. https://doi.org/10.70265/segd3729
Varbanova, Gergana. "Deepfake and the Collapse of Trust: Challenges to Cybersecurity and the Rule of Law." Security and Defense 1 (2025): 23-31. https://doi.org/10.70265/segd3729.
