International coordination of security and defense forces in ensuring the security and resilience of critical infrastructure

Abstract

This article examines international frameworks for coordinating security and defense forces in the area of ensuring the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. It argues that the cross-border nature of infrastructure systems, the interdependence of civilian and military capabilities, and the proliferation of hybrid, military, terrorist, sabotage, and cyber threats necessitate a shift from departmental and facility-based protection to multilevel international cooperation focused on ensuring the continuity of critical functions and services. Based on an analysis of documents from NATO, the European Union, the UN, the OSCE, the OECD, and Ukrainian legislation, the concept of an international cooperation framework has been defined as an institutionally and procedurally structured model of collaboration among states, international organizations, security and defense forces, civilian agencies, and critical infrastructure operators. A classification of such formats is proposed according to the following areas: political-strategic, inter-institutional, intergovernmental and cross-border, civil-military, information-analytical, cyber-operational, public-private, training, counterterrorism, and crisis-response. Their content, scope of participants, and practical implementation methods were outlined. Emphasis was placed on the need for secure information sharing, joint threat assessments, coordination of response plans, conducting exercises, developing reserve capabilities, and advance planning for international assistance. Priorities for Ukraine have been identified, including deepening cooperation with NATO and the EU, ensuring procedural interoperability, developing sector-specific public-private platforms, establishing permanent interagency working groups, and incorporating an international component into national and sectoral plans for the protection, response, and recovery of critical infrastructure. The multilevel and interconnected nature of such frameworks is substantiated.