During the final 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. He stated that the RESIST model, encompassing threat recognition, early warning, and situational assessment, forms the foundation for counteraction. While initially designed for the information environment, this approach is now being applied across cybersecurity and hybrid operations.
Minister Sharkov cautioned that modern risks extend beyond technical cyberattacks, encompassing information operations, content manipulation, and campaigns designed to influence public opinion. He noted that the objective of such actions is frequently to affect public consciousness, which he described as a vulnerable “infrastructure.” He pointed to Bulgaria’s national cyber situational center, which coordinates various bodies, including the Ministry of Electronic Governance, the Interior Ministry, the State Agency for National Security, and the Defence Ministry. This structure supports efforts to counter external disinformation, particularly concerning electoral processes and critical infrastructure.
A key challenge identified was translating analysis into immediate operational action. Sharkov stressed that understanding events months later is insufficient; real-time reaction capability is necessary. He expressed confidence that initiatives like DisInfoHack help develop skills for identifying disinformation and understanding complex hybrid scenarios.
He concluded that building digital sovereignty requires robust cooperation among institutions, the scientific community, and experts. This effort falls under the CoDE project, which aims to strengthen information resilience through scientific study and best practice development within national governance frameworks.
Topics: #assessment #governance #minister
The emphasis on timely response and accurate assessment highlights the critical nature of modern cyber defense strategies.