The 21st century in the history of mankind began with great scientific and technical transformations and this process continues at high speed. Every day, information about new scientific and technical discoveries and inventions is disseminated in the world community and people's access to modern information technologies is increasing even more. That is why the 21st century is called the information age. This factor is the reason why information and mass media have a profound and significant impact on the ideology of society. Even mass media have become a field for various discussions. Therefore, ensuring information security in modern times has become the main issue of ensuring national security of states.

According to the analysis of experts, in modern times, which is called globalization, the process of influence of international factors, such as economic, political, cultural and information relations, on the social life of each individual country is considered. From this point of view, information security plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability of each state as an integral part of protecting national interests and expanding various spheres of public life. In this regard, it is not superfluous to pay attention to aspects of ensuring the information security of the state. In modern conditions, development and progress, and even the existence and survival of states deeply depend on the strength of information security.

As noted above, the common and accepted opinion that "the 21st century is the information century" is not without foundation. Of course, this has its own reality and information management in the modern world and the formation of processes has acquired serious significance. Along with the positive possibilities of modern technologies that are used in the information world, their negative aspect has also become a cause for concern and alarm of the international community. Because the security and stability of each state and society can be violated by the dissemination of false information aimed at the interests of one or another group and ultimately leads to unrest, and especially ignorant youth can, believing and following such propaganda, fall into the trap of individuals seeking their own benefit.

From this point of view, the concept of information security is one of the key concepts in the framework of political science and the national security system. Information security is a state and condition in which any danger to any important and fateful information of the country is prevented and eliminated, and the access and influence of sabotage and criminal groups to information, documents or public opinion is limited. According to experts, the main goal of ensuring information security in each state is to eliminate any real, potential and possible threats to the information space of the state, taking into account national interests and ensuring the information security system, and therefore ensuring the integrity, security, peace and tranquility, protection and sustainable development of society.

Republic of Tajikistan, as a rightful member of human society, has entered the process of globalization and has directed its efforts to protect national interests and independence in complex and contradictory global conditions.
Today, when terrorism and extremism with all their manifestations as a dangerous epidemic have covered a wide range of countries and regions of the world, the need for deep understanding and comprehensive prevention is required, since the followers of these groups make a breach in information security in various ways, and in order to implement their own selfish interests, they spread false information(fakes) among society through social sites.

Taking into account such dangerous factors, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the relevant institutions of the country are constantly taking important measures. The founder of national peace and unity - the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, during presentation of his addresses to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan and in his meetings and speeches always expresses his opinion on issues of information security, political acumen and the growing threat of terrorism and extremism in the modern world. In particular, the President of the country, presenting his Address to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan on December 23, 2022, emphasized the following on this matter: “At present, terrorist and extremist groups are using new ways and methods to invite and attract citizens to their ranks, using modern information technologies and misleading inexperienced and ignorant youth with extremist ideas. Therefore, the relevant authorities need to further expand the coordination of activities in the direction of identifying and preventing terrorist and extremist threats, by strengthening explanatory work, preventing young people from turning to extremist tendencies and educating them in the spirit of loyalty to the people and the Motherland, as well as respect for universal human values."

As you can see, the process of rapid development of modern technologies, in addition to the positive impact on people's lives, has also generated a number of problems and has become a cause for concern. Although, today it is impossible to imagine the world society without information and information-communication technologies, but its correct use and direction for the benefit of the state and society requires great responsibility from each citizen. Every day, a billion or more news and information enter the space of social sites, unfortunately, not all of them are verified and close to reality or aimed at the benefit of the entire world community. Therefore, ensuring information security is more important and necessary than ever.

On this basis, increasing the sense of patriotism and love for the Motherland of citizens, preventing young people from following extremist ideas, increasing national feelings and self-awareness, political intelligence of young people and, of course, ensuring information security are important tasks for the whole society and relevant institutions. Because, it is possible to protect the most important national values and take firm and decisive steps in the fight against extremism and terrorism by strengthening information security, promoting the ideas of patriotism, educating teenagers and young people in the spirit of patriotism, forming constructive and creative thinking.
 

Olimjon AZIZOV, Head of the International and Public Relations Department of the Agency for CBRN Safety and Security at the TNAS, PhD in Engineering

Zarobudin Shirinov, Specialist of the International and Public Relations Department of the Agency for CBRN Safety and Security at the TNAS