THE IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY: LEGAL ASPECTS, RISK MODELS AND MECHANISMS OF STATE MANAGEMENT OF SECURITY

Abstract

In Ukraine, where the war creates additional challenges, the rapid restoration and adaptation of critical infrastructure form the basis of the national security field. Between February 2022 and the end of 2023, more than 1,200 major cyberattacks were recorded in Ukraine, approximately 40% of which were directed against energy and communication systems, and the damage from missile and drone strikes on infrastructure exceeded $137 billion. The purpose of this article is to analyze the functionality of legal support critical infrastructure in the national security system in the current context of military challenges. The study examines the structure of legal aspects, support critical infrastructure and its place in the overall security system of the state. Various risk assessment methods are analyzed, such as system models, multi-level models, and cybernetic models, which help predict possible crisis situations and plan measures to prevent or mitigate damage. It is argued that resilience can be enhanced through digital technologies, cybersecurity measures, legal reforms, and better coordination between public and private organizations. The prospects for optimizing the state of critical infrastructure in Ukraine are considered, including diversification of supply, modernization of the energy system, improvement of legislation in accordance with European requirements, and improvement of the investment climate. A generalized author’s model for managing the resilience of critical infrastructure in Ukraine during times of increased risk of war is proposed. The study emphasizes the importance of the legal aspects resilience of critical infrastructure, its ability to recover quickly, and highlights the role of cooperation between the public and private sectors.