Nowadays hacker attacks on computers or smartphones of everyday users have become commonplace. Unfortunately, increasing number of sophisticated attacks are being targeted against critical infrastructure or banking systems. The threat from hackers is very serious. As a result, institutions exposed to the attacks are obliged to take action to repulse them, because the consequences of intrusions into internal systems can be far-reaching. Numerous cases of effective hacker activities are not rare, as shown by cases from recent years.

Undersea Telecommunication Cables as an Element of Global Critical Infrastructure. Assessment of Vulnerability

The article is the first in Polish literature attempt to present the role played in the modern information world by undersea telecommunications cables. The author draws a synthetic history of the undersea cables’ development as well as presents its current network. The article also discusses the most common causes that lead to cutting the cables and shows examples of such events and their consequences. The author also emphasizes that according to the international law of the sea the telecommunication cables are not subject to special protection. Although they are an important element of critical infrastructure, this issue does not arouse the interest of states, because in the vast majority they are owned by private companies. The development of cable-based communication is extremely dynamic. In a period shorter than that of one generation, they transformed from a „means of communication”, useful, but without a critical importance, to the real „nervous system” of a globalized economy operating mainly based on virtual reality. Undersea cables, due to their economic, political and social importance, as well as their physical characteristics, are potentially strongly exposed to destructive influences. They may be a consequence of natural disasters, but also of steps taken intentionally by individual people, extremist organizations or even states.

Based on the assessment of contemporary reality, it can be said that one of the most critical functions of a modern state is to provide its citizens with an acceptable level of security – that is to say, to create optimal conditions for protection against hypothetical and real threats, such as potential natural disasters, consequences of civilizational advancements (accidents or man-made disasters), terrorist attacks, wars, and armed conflicts. It should be emphasized that in modern, democratic societies, the right of people (social groups) to be protected from numerous threats results from the legal, ethical, and moral norms in force, which have been developed in civilizational development and are based on historical experience. The research focused on analyzing normative documents (laws and regulations) and selected scientific and popular science literature dedicated to the functioning of the crisis management system and contemporary management. The synthetic conclusions of this analysis constitute the basis for further in-depth research.

This paper analyses the concept of critical infrastructure (CI) in the context of electoral process organization. I will determine whether the seats of circuit electoral commissions (CECs) meet the relevant criteria. How can such facilities be effectively protected? What does international, European, and national law prescribe in this regard? I will examine doctrine and the provisions of the current legal system, including the documents of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). I adopt the statutory1 assumption whereby critical infrastructure should be understood as systems and their functionally interdependent facilities, including buildings, equipment, installations and services that are essential to the security of the state and its citizens, serving to ensure the proper functioning of public administration bodies, institutions and entrepreneurs. Critical infrastructure is comprised of systems which, for example, ensure the continuity of public administration.