Prof. DSc Sevdalina DIMITROVA^
Dr. Stoyko STOYKOV^
Dr. Yosif KOCHEV^

Abstract. The main thesis in this paper is that the problems of cyber security represent not only a specific, but also an extremely topical issue, whose solution requires the active engagement of both the states and the international organizations, as well as of the stakeholders from various fields.

Key words: country, cyber security, strategy, terrorism

INTRODUCTION

Searching for solutions to the problems related to cybersecurity which occurred in the early 1990s, with their steadily increasing negative effects, has long gone beyond the borders of a single science and hence requires a complex interdisciplinary approach.

The new challenges facing the international community and the information and communication technologies cross the national borders and the individual countries fail to deal independently and effectively with the new threats against cybersecurity only by policies at national level aiming at ensuring a high level of protection of its citizens and the networks of state power.

The need for collective efforts to protect cyberspace has increased significantly and at present the European Union is one of the most influential players in the field of international policies pertaining to cybersecurity.

Most often cybersecurity refers to:

• measures for protecting information technologies;

• included within those measures: information, ongoing processes and the related physical and virtual elements (which, taken together, comprise cyber space);

• the level of protection resulting from the implementation of those measures.

Virtually all elements in cyberspace are at risk as their interconnection renders it difficult to determine the scope and framework of cybersecurity.

One of the necessary conditions for the creation and development of an EU policy on cybersecurity is an understanding of what the term ”cybersecurity” denotes. Achieving this can be difficult for several reasons. Some the main challenges and difficulties include its wide range and multiple aspects that influence the different spheres of social relations between EU citizens and between the Member States of the European Union. The scientific research and analysis of the authors of this publication are focused in this direction.

In the EU Cybersecurity Strategy adopted in February 2013 and the accompanying proposal of the European Commission ”regarding the measures for ensuring a high common level of network and information security in the Union”, the main emphasis is on the role of the operators of critical infrastructures. With regard to that, each country should determine which sectors and areas fall in the ICT, and devise appropriate measures for managing the security risks, as well as for reporting serious incidents to the competent national authorities.

CONCLUSION

Having considered the best practice in the researched area, we believe it imperative that Member States follow the example of Austria, Latvia, the Netherlands and Estonia (in the strategy for the period 2008-2013) and to indicate in their strategies the operators of critical infrastructure.

Despite the existing differences in the national cybersecurity strategies of Member States of the European Union, there are many converging points. It is these converging points that show the common will and unified approach for achieving a high level of cybersecurity in the EU.

Last but not least, it is necessary, now more than ever, that the countries which have not adopted similar strategic documents yet to take action for their development and administration.