Montenegro's resilience to new threats could be seriously compromised without adequate strategy, resources and political will, said the President of the Atlantic Alliance (ASCG) Savo Kentera, adding that protecting critical infrastructure is the state's obligation.
Kentera said this at the opening of the expert conference "Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) - Challenges and Perspectives: Building Resilience in a Dynamic Critical Infrastructure Environment", organized by ASCG in cooperation with the Center for Risk Analysis and Crisis Management from Belgrade.
"Building resilience to threats and challenges has become an imperative for all of us. It is not only a global imperative, but also a special responsibility for each of us, especially when it comes to our state's obligation to protect critical infrastructure," Kentera said.
According to him, building resilience in a dynamic critical infrastructure environment is essential for the future of society and the economy.
"Critical infrastructure is the backbone of our daily lives and forms the foundation of everything we do, from energy supply and water distribution, to healthcare, communications, transportation," Kentera said.
He pointed out that countries with rapid technological advancements, globalization, and increasing threats face numerous challenges in protecting and maintaining the stability of these systems.
"As a NATO member, Montenegro plays a key role in implementing the policies and principles developed by NATO to increase the resilience of member states," said Kentera.
As he pointed out, NATO emphasizes through policies and strategies that protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening resilience to all types of threats is the responsibility of every ally.
"Montenegro, as a NATO member, is obliged to continuously work on improving the resilience of its critical infrastructure and contribute to the collective resilience of the Alliance," Kentera emphasized.
He pointed out that Montenegro, as a future member of the European Union (EU), in addition to the obligations arising from NATO membership, faces additional requirements related to the protection of critical infrastructure.
Kentera pointed out the importance of cooperation in the field of critical infrastructure protection, stating that it not only strengthens national security, but also contributes to the security of the region, the entire Alliance, and the EU.
He said that Montenegro's resilience to new threats, without an adequate strategy, resources and political will, could be seriously jeopardized.
Kentera announced that they and their partners from Belgrade have decided to establish another center within ASCG - the Center for Building Critical Infrastructure Resilience.
"I invite everyone from Montenegro and beyond to join us in helping Montenegro and all other countries in the region build critical infrastructure to the extent necessary," said Kentera.
He emphasized that ASCG can be a very strong partner to state institutions and NATO, as it has been for the past 20 years.
The President of the Center for Risk Analysis and Crisis Management from Belgrade, Zoran Keković, said that when it comes to protecting critical infrastructure, the question is whether people are prepared for future shocks and disruptions that may affect infrastructure systems.
"We are facing the enormous potential of new threats, new technologies, disinformation, mass media and their impact on the functioning of infrastructure," said Keković.
He said the question is whether the systems are resilient or not.
Keković said that one of the biggest stereotypes in the world of risk is that uncertainties come from the outside world.
"The key challenge is not just facing them, but also our ability to adapt to them," Keković pointed out.
He said he is completing a new risk management concept called "Tetris Thinking," where the question is how to build or redesign a structure.
"The dilemma is whether we are capable of recognizing risks and opportunities and integrating them into our system," added Keković.
He said that the way of thinking must change.
Keković said that he is often asked if he believes in the OpenAI model, to which he responds that he does not, but that he uses it.
He believes that an adaptive and resilient strategy is needed.
"We must not only emphasize the sustainability and flexibility of infrastructure, we must find the equation of resilience," Keković emphasized.
As he said, an in-depth analysis of the problem is needed, which will enable internationally recognized experts and decision-makers from public authorities and critical infrastructure representatives to strive to find universal solution models.
"Everything we do must be supported by a culture of resilience," concluded Keković.
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