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The present thesis argues that NATO's narratives on cybersecurity are representing something more than an abstract buzzword : their content illustrates security practices constitutve of the Alliance's identity formation. In this regard, it is argued that the transatlantic partnership might be transforming into an enlarged security organisation through its engagement in cybersecurity. To study this possibility, discursive practices of different NATO sources are examined through content analysis. Building on the Copenhagen School's approach security, the present study endorses the view that cybersecurity is theorised as a sixth sector of security, which frames particular referent objects, threats, key actors of security and the specific functions performed by these actors. The author argues that mapping these different units in NATO's discourse demonstrates that the Alliance is expanding the perimeter of its security activities. Following a thorough evaluation of the results obtained, the present research highlights that NATO, through its cybersecurity speech act, is remodelling its identity and maturing into a greater collective security organisation without militarising the 'fifth battlefield'.

CYBERSPACE--GOVERNMENT POLICY--NATO --- COMPUTER SECURITY--NATO --- CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS (MILITARY SCIENCE)--NATO --- NATO--NATIONAL SECURITY