The importance of protecting critical infrastructure, and critical information infrastructure in domestic and international context

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.12700/btsz.2025.7.1.SI.103

The main goal of this paper is defining and comparing both domestic and international critical infrastructure, exploring their vulnerabilities and highlighting the importance of security. The widespread adoption of broadband internet technology and „cyber-physical” systems in industrial applications has created additional attack surfaces in critical systems and facilities,
where often vulnerable computers are in charge of highly sensitive operations, such as water treatment, power plants, and everything else necessary for today’s society to survive. These vital systems have become prime targets for cybercriminals and cyberwarfare, thus enabling threat actors to wreak physical havoc on critical infrastructure remotely. In this research the
Stuxnet virus attack is examined to demonstrate the risks and consequences of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and emphasise the need for adequate security awareness of human operators.