The National Security Importance of Critical Entities Resilience and Citizen Preparedness Against Modern Threats

Abstract

Today's modern hybrid threats pose increasingly complex challenges to critical infrastructure and essential service providers. Cyber and sabotage attacks against infrastructures can not only cause economic and political instability but can also have a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens. This paper explores the national security dimensions of the protection of critical organisations and infrastructures and highlights the role of the EU CER and NIS2 Directives in strengthening the protection of these organisations. The academic draws parallels with the need to increase citizen preparedness, which through active preparation and digital information can reduce the occurrence of crisis situations and facilitate effective incident management. The case study-based research illustrates the impact of hybrid threats through concrete examples, with a particular focus on the consequences for the functioning of critical services. The authors make suggestions for supporting disaster management with digital tools, including tools for citizen preparedness