Psychological Dimensions of Sishanta for Societal Resilience and National Unity in the Digital Defense Era

This study examines the strategic application of Indonesia’s Universal Defense System, Sishanta, in cultivating societal resilience and national unity against digital threats. Sishanta, a whole-of-nation defense strategy, is deeply rooted in Indonesia’s collectivist culture, religiosity, and local wisdom, offering a unique psychological foundation unlike individualistic Western models. In the digital era, Sishanta can be reinterpreted to address disinformation and psychological operations by integrating digital literacy into “Bela Negara” education, leveraging AI for threat detection, and employing initiatives like the Digital House of Knowledge for cultural resilience. Challenges include slow regulatory adaptation and weak non-military coordination, necessitating flexible policies and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure comprehensive national defense.