БЕЗБЕДНОСНИ ИЗАЗОВИ КРИТИЧНЕ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЕ ЗЕМАЉА ЗАПАДНОГ БАЛКАНА
SECURITY CHALLENGES OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

Author(s): Dragan Bojanic
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Security and defense, Military policy
Published by: Institut za strategijska istraživanja
Keywords: resources; national security; resilience; critical infrastructure
Summary/Abstract: The security of critical infrastructure is a cornerstone of modern national security, as it forms the foundation for community resilience and survival. In this research discuss the challenges and strategies for crisis prevention and improving the resilience of CI in the Western Balkans. In the past two decades, the focus of CI protection has evolved from addressing international terrorism to tackling natural disasters, cyber threats, risks stemming from the interdependence of CI systems, systemic challenges like climate change and migration, and the recognition that not all risks can be predicted. The need for secure and resilient CI arises not only in response to direct threats, whether climate change or political and economic conditions, but also due to the networking and interdependence among CIs at the national and regional levels of the WB countries. These complexities and interconnections contribute to increasing uncertainty, prompting a shift in protection strategies from a focus on individual threats to an all-hazards approach, and ultimately towards a resilience-oriented strategy. This evolution aims to better address and manage systemic risks and uncertainties. The identified key gaps and challenges and the contributory factor to understanding the existing context of building resilience to crises and disasters in the five economies of the Western Balkans Region are summarized as the following: 1. Vulnerability to natural disasters, cyberattacks, and geopolitical risks; 2. Reactive rather than proactive approaches dominating existing frameworks; 3. Inconsistent legislation and a lack of coordination across the region; 4. Limited resources, expertise, and awareness regarding CI resilience; and 5. Insufficient integration of cybersecurity measures and ICT solutions. Key findings reveal that climate change and disasters like floods and earthquakes significantly impact CI in the region. Additionally, regional risks stem from political instability, cyberattacks, and weak institutional mechanisms. Good practices include inventorying and assessing CI assets (e.g., North Macedonia’s digital platform), forming partnerships for risk management (e.g., Montenegro’s multi-sector disaster risk assessment), and initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity, such as establishing a regional cybersecurity center. National approaches in transitional countries have begun incorporating risk management strategies, viewing global issues such as climate change, infrastructure interdependencies, foreign ownership of CI, and geopolitical dynamics as strategic risks that resilience strategies aim to address. However, the degree to which the resilience concept is reflected in official documents—laws, regulations, strategies, and reports—varies significantly. Existing regulatory frameworks and institutional strategies often fail to clearly define CI resilience. Recommendations for strengthening CI resilience: – Standardize CI definitions and categorizations across Western Balkan countries to ensure consistency and effectiveness in protection efforts. – Promote regional collaboration and information-sharing mechanisms to enhance coordinated responses to cross-border threats like cyberattacks and natural disasters. – Integrate climate change considerations into CI resilience strategies, especially for natural disaster preparedness. – Foster public-private partnerships in the Western Balkans to optimize resource utilization, expertise, and technological innovation in CI protection. – Prioritize investments in training and capacity-building programs for key stakeholders, including law enforcement, emergency services, and cybersecurity specialists, to enhance overall preparedness and response. – Align CI protection policies and practices in the Western Balkans with EU standards and best practices. Implementing these measures is crucial for developing resilient CI systems that safeguard the social and economic well-being of the region. A nation’s functionality and progress depend on having robust infrastructure and ensuring its effective protection.

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