GEOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS AND HYBRID-CYBER THREATS IN THE BLACK SEA REGION: SAFEGUARDING ROMANIA’S CRITICAL MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURES

Minodora BADEA, Adrian V. GHEORGHE, Gabriel Raicu, Radu D. STANCIU

Abstract


The Black Sea region has emerged as a strategic maritime hub increasingly vulnerable to hybrid warfare and cyber threats following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This study synthesizes empirical data from the Maritime Cyber Attack Database (MCAD) and strategic reports to examine vulnerabilities in Romania’s critical maritime infrastructure (CMI). Utilizing a mixed- methods approach, we identify threats such as state-sponsored GNSS spoofing, ransomware, and infrastructure sabotage. Findings indicate that Romania ranked 52nd globally in cyber impact during H1 2025. This work underscores the imperative for resilient infrastructures to safeguard global trade and security in a contested geopolitical landscape.

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References


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