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. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at Sofia University’s GATE Institute, the Minister stated that the RESIST model forms the basis for counteraction, encompassing threat recognition, early warning, and situational assessment. He noted that while the model originated for the information environment, its application has expanded significantly to cover cybersecurity and hybrid operations.
Minister Sharkov stressed that contemporary risks extend beyond technical cyberattacks to include content manipulation and campaigns designed to sway public opinion. He cautioned that the primary target of such influence efforts is often the public consciousness, which he characterized as a critical “infrastructure.”
Bulgaria maintains a national cyber situational center that coordinates various state 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, according to the Minister, remains the transition from analysis to immediate operational action. “It is not enough to understand how something happened months later; we must be able to react in real time,” he stated. He expressed confidence that initiatives like DisInfoHack build necessary skills for early identification of disinformation and understanding complex hybrid scenarios.
The Minister called for enhanced coordination among scientific bodies, experts, and institutions, asserting that effective modern responses rely on this synergy. This effort is part of the CoDE project, aiming to develop national information resilience through a scientific approach to governance.
Topics: #assessment #governance #minister
The emphasis on timely response and accurate assessment seems critical given the current cyber threat environment.