Critical Infrastructure Protection in the Light of the Armed Conflicts

This book summarizes the latest findings in critical infrastructure protection and related research areas. Armed conflicts and wars are now closer to Europe than at any time in the last several decades, and the protection of critical infrastructures has gained new prominence. This situation has also revealed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the importance of its protection.

The development of technologies, cybertechnologies, and digitalization in all aspects of our daily lives implies new security challenges in critical infrastructure protection and security science and this book addresses the four main dimensions of critical infrastructure protection:
1. Physical protection
2. Cybersecurity
3. Political security
4. Individual security

The issue of physical security has accompanied humanity since its birth. Nowadays, this issue has become even more important due to technological advances, as this is the security area that people physically experience―physical protection, including protection against explosions and ballistic attacks, but also defense of objects and guaranteeing transportation security.

Cyberspace represents the fifth domain of warfare and a central security question in our age. The base of cyberspace defense is high-quality hardware and expert support. With our lives increasingly digital, cybersecurity's core elements include safety awareness and informatics.

Political security, the third dimension, is shaped by diverse political ideologies influencing economies, societies, and other aspects of life. This book explores topics such as migration policies, defense against terrorism, national and international security, and public safety.

Dr. Tünde Anna Kovács is Associate Professor in the Bánki Donát Faculty of Mechanical and Safety Engineering, Department of Materials Technology at Óbuda University, Hungary. She has got in 2008 her Ph.D. degree from Budapest Technical University, Hungary, and in 2022, habilitated at Óbuda University, Doctoral School on Materials and Technologies Sciences. She is Member of the editorial board of the Acta Materialia Transylvania, Safety and Security Sciences Review and Security Engineering of Anthropogenic Objects. Her research interests are in the field of materials science and technologies, special welding processes (ultrasonic and explosive welding), and welder robots and collaborative welding robotics. She is Supervisor of the Doctoral School on Materials and Technologies Sciences and the Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences.

Dr. Zoltán Nyikes is Associate Professor in the Department of Informatics at the Milton Friedman University, Hungary. He is Computer Science Engineer, Dipl. Security Engineer, Doctor of Military Engineering, University Lecturer, and Member of the Public Body of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2019 at Óbuda University, Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, on the topic “Information Security Development with the User Support Opportunities”. His research focuses on Industry 4.0, user safety awareness and digital competence, the security of information transmission, buildings protection coatings innovation against explosive loads and rail transport safety. He is Researcher on several research and development projects, Supervisor of the Doctoral School of Military Engineering, University of Public Service, Hungary, and Supervisor of engineering thesis works and diploma works.

Dr. Tamás Berek is currently working as Professor. He is Head of the Department of Operations and Support, Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training, University of Public Service. In 2007, gothis Ph.D. degree from National Defence University and in 2015, habilitated at the UPS in the field of Military Science. He is Head of the Department of CBRN, Hungarian Association of Military Science. He is responsible for the research area of Security Technology in the Doctoral School of Military Engineering. His research areas are the theory of CBRN defense, water safety, and security issues. He is Career Officer with the rank of colonel.

Dr. Norbert Daruka is External Lecturer and Head of the course of the Óbuda University, Bánki Donát Faculty of Mechanical and Safety Engineering, Hungary. He is Lecturer and Subject Leader at the National University of Public Service, Doctoral School of Military Engineering. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2014 on the topic “Countermeasures against criminal terrorist explosions”. His main research focuses on explosives, their military and industrial applications, and the production and use of explosives. He is Civil Engineer, Qualified Defense Administrator, Qualified Explosives Engineer, Qualified Safety Engineer, and Qualified Explosives Protection Engineer, all of which he has obtained at various universities. He is also Expert in the field of explosives technology. His research interest includes explosives, explosive technology, explosives manufacturing, explosives disposal, bomb disposal, against the activity of EOD and IED, explosive demolition of structures, ice and dam demolition, and explosive demolition of metal.

Dr. László Tóth is Associate Professor in the Bánki Donát Faculty of Mechanical and Safety Engineering, Department of Materials Technology at Óbuda University, Hungary. He is Ph.D. Doctor in Technical Sciences from 1999, Member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Materials Science and Engineering, Guest Editor of MDPI Coatings and MDPI Crystals Journals, and Reviewer for MDPI and Archives of Metallurgy and Materials Journals. Her research interests are in the field of materials science and technologies, special in heat treatments, and structures and surface coatings.