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Bates College

Publication Date

Fall 2021

Program Name

Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Abstract

This paper seeks to address the important role of public and private interests in protecting critical infrastructure in Southeastern Europe, providing examples from Serbia. While the public sector does have a role in protecting critical infrastructure needs, it is the private sector which holds major oversight of the critical infrastructures of the region, therefore having an important role in maintaining their functionality and protection. The literature in this field argues for more collaboration and information sharing between the public and private sectors of the region, though the task is not as simple as it appears given the varying aspirations of each country and their approaches to critical infrastructure protection and designation. The main argument of this paper calls for tailored approaches to public and private sector cooperation in each country with some oversight from a regional agency meant for general guidance. The tailored approach provides for a more effective solution as it considers the needs of each individual country, looks at the existing situation in each country, and provides for more effective collaboration between public and private sectors. For this paper, field experts also provided an overview of the current cybersecurity situation in the region, the roles of public and private sectors, and what can be done moving forward. This information serves to explain the main argument and why the tailored approach is needed to improve the state of cyber critical infrastructure in the region in light of current and emerging threats, which are also discussed.

Disciplines

Defense and Security Studies | European History | Information Security | Infrastructure | Science and Technology Policy

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