From Targets to Tools: the Complex Relationship between Critical Infrastructures and Hybrid Threats

Authors

  • Adi MUSTAȚĂ
  • Sorina-Denisa POTCOVARU (DRAGNE) “Carol I” National Defence University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-51

Keywords:

Hybrid Threats, Critical Infrastructures, Interdependencies, Cyberattacks, Disinformation, Economic Coercion, Weaponizing, Resilience.

Abstract

The complexity of the interaction between critical infrastructures and hybrid threats emerges in the specialized literature through a diversity of perspectives and approaches. This study investigates how the two concepts intersect, highlighting hybrid manifestations that combine cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, kinetic operations, economic coercion, and the exploitation of legal grey zones in international law. At the same time, critical infrastructures are analyzed both as strategic targets and as instruments for the propagation of hybrid threats, being weaponized through the exploitation of their sectoral and inter-sectoral vulnerabilities, and thus generating cascading effects. Examples from the literature highlight not only the cyber and economic dimensions of such hybrid actions but also the difficulties of attribution and the multidimensional nature of the typology of the actors involved. The conclusions of the article emphasize the necessity of understanding hybrid threats and critical infrastructures as interconnected realities, whose protection and resilience require a systemic and coordinated approach, capable of responding to the complex challenges of contemporary security.

Author Biographies

Adi MUSTAȚĂ

Professor Marinel-Adi MUSTAȚĂ is the director of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School in Carol I National Defence University, Bucharest, Romania. He completed his Doctorate in Military Sciences and Information at the same university, with a theme dedicated to the epistemic competence of military decision-makers. Throughout his career, Professor Mustață has been actively involved in numerous international research projects, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration across borders.

Notably, his participation in the European Commission-funded FP7 project GaLA – Game and Learning Alliance, and the EDA-funded project SOLOMON, underscores his pivotal role in leveraging cutting-edge research to address critical issues in security and defence studies. He has coordinated projects focused on critical research initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience against hybrid threats through good governance and bolstering national security culture and resilience. His scholarly contributions are recognized on the international stage, with publications in prestigious journals and conference proceedings.

His work has been published in venues such as Applied Cognitive Psychology, where he explored the truthfulness of security and defence news in Central and Eastern Europe, showcasing his ability to intersect theoretical insights with practical applications. Furthermore, his co-authorship of the book Science in the Mirror: Towards a New Method of Paradigm Comparison has received international recognition, being listed in the catalogues of renowned institutions like Harvard and Oxford University. Professor Mustață's excellence in research and academic contributions has been honoured with several relevant awards. Among these, the Marshal Constantin Prezan Award from the Romanian Academy of Scientists in 2012, the General Alexandru Budiș Award from the Synergetica Foundation in 2016, and the General Valentin Arsenie Award from the Romanian Academy of Scientists in 2017 stand out.

Sorina-Denisa POTCOVARU (DRAGNE), “Carol I” National Defence University

Sorina-Denisa Potcovaru holds a bachelor's degree from "Nicolae Bălcescu" Land Forces Academy and a law degree from "Lucian Blaga" University. She also earned a master’s degree in Critical Infrastructure Protection from "Carol I" National Defence University. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Military Science and serves as a Doctoral Fellow at the European Security and Defence College's Doctoral School on Common Security and Defence Policy. Her research focuses on critical infrastructure, hybrid threats, and the intersection of law and the military domain.

She has authored and co-authored scientific papers and articles on themes related to terrorist threats to critical infrastructure, scenario planning within the context of CSDP, systemic approaches to interdependencies, and legislative frameworks for infrastructure protection.

Beyond academia, she has participated in professional training courses offered by the European Security and Defence College and NATO-affiliated institutions, covering subjects such as advanced research in hybrid threats, maritime cybersecurity, strategic communication, resource management in NATO, and the law of armed conflict. She has also engaged in simulation and scenario-based exercises related to critical infrastructure protection.

 

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Published

2025-10-07

How to Cite

MUSTAȚĂ, A., & POTCOVARU (DRAGNE), S.-D. . (2025). From Targets to Tools: the Complex Relationship between Critical Infrastructures and Hybrid Threats. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 14(3), 318–327. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-25-51

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

The published articles are subject to copyright law. All rights are reserved to the “Carol I” National Defense University, regardless of whether all or part of the material are considered, especially the rights to translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, quotations, broadcasting through the media, reproduction on microfilms or any other way and storage in data banks. Any replicas without the associated fees are authorized provided the source is acknowledged.