During the closing event of DisInfoHack 2026 at Sofia University’s GATE Institute, Caretaker Electronic Governance Minister Georgi Sharkov emphasized that timely response and accurate situational assessment are paramount in the current landscape of cyber threats and information influence operations. Minister Sharkov stated that the foundation for counteraction lies within the RESIST model, which incorporates threat recognition, early warning, and situational assessment. While initially designed for the information sphere, this methodology is now being broadly applied to cybersecurity and hybrid operations.
The minister stressed that modern risks extend beyond technical cyberattacks to include information operations, content manipulation, and campaigns designed to influence public opinion, noting that the primary target is often the public consciousness. He detailed that Bulgaria maintains a national cyber situational center coordinating various bodies, including the Ministry of Electronic Governance, the Interior Ministry, the State Agency for National Security, and the Defence Ministry, to counter external disinformation, particularly concerning elections and critical infrastructure. Sharkov highlighted a key operational challenge: translating analysis into real-time action, asserting that understanding events months after they occur is insufficient.
He expressed confidence in initiatives like DisInfoHack for developing skills in early disinformation identification. The minister underscored that building a resilient information environment requires robust collaboration among institutions, the scientific community, and experts. This coordination is deemed essential for effective responses to modern information challenges.
DisInfoHack is part of the broader CoDE project, which aims to develop information resilience through scientific study of Bulgaria’s information environment. The efforts underline the critical role of comprehensive governance structures in safeguarding national digital sovereignty against evolving threats.
Topics: #assessment #governance #minister
