Caretaker Electronic Governance Minister Georgi Sharkov emphasized that timely response and accurate situational assessment are paramount in the current environment of cyber threats and information influence operations. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at Sofia University’s GATE Institute, the minister detailed that the RESIST model—which encompasses threat recognition, early warning, and situational assessment—forms the basis for counteraction. Sharkov noted that while the approach was initially designed for the information sphere, it is now being applied broadly across cybersecurity and hybrid operations.
He stressed that modern risks extend beyond technical cyberattacks to include content manipulation and campaigns designed to influence public opinion, often targeting public consciousness as a key “infrastructure.”
He outlined that Bulgaria maintains a national cyber situational center coordinating efforts among various bodies, including the Ministry of Electronic Governance, the Interior Ministry, the State Agency for National Security, and the Defence Ministry. These institutions are actively working to counter external disinformation, particularly concerning electoral processes and critical infrastructure. A significant challenge, the minister stated, remains the transition from analysis to real-time operational action.
He asserted, “It is not enough to understand how something happened months later; we must be able to react in real time.”
Sharkov expressed confidence that initiatives like DisInfoHack build essential skills for identifying disinformation and understanding complex hybrid scenarios. He called for increased cooperation among scientific bodies, institutions, and experts, arguing that effective responses to modern information challenges depend on such coordination. This effort is part of the CoDE project, aiming to strengthen information resilience through a scientific approach to national governance.
Topics: #assessment #governance #minister
