CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND 1. Introduction – rationale for actions to increase cybersecurity F ast and unhindered access to information which is used in the management, production, services and the public sector has more and more impact on social and economic growth. Dynamic progress of information systems serves the development of the national economy, in particular communications, commerce, transport and financial services. Digital technologies that comprise cyberspace1 are used for shaping social relationships. Moreover, online services have become a tool for effecting on the behaviour of social groups, as well as exerting influence in the political sphere. Any significant disruption to the functioning of cyberspace, whether global or local, will have an impact on economic activity, citizen’s sense of security and safety, the efficiency of public sector institutions, production and service processes, and as a result on national security in general. Protection of information systems and information processed therein is a challenge for all entities of the national cybersecurity system, i.e. businesses providing services using information systems, public authorities, institutions responsible for the national security, and specialised entities dealing with cybersecurity at the operational level. It is even more important as Poland is closely connected with other countries through international cooperation within organisations such as the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This cooperation plays an important role in responding to the increasing number of incidents caused by illegal activities in cyberspace that are leading to tangible and reputational damages which are growing by the year. Criminal activities are being taken by individuals, organised crime groups, as well as, groups sponsored by governmental institutions and armed forces of countries which conduct offensive actions focused specifically on cyberespionage and gathering intelligence on other states’ defence capabilities. 1 Cyberspace is the space for processing and exchanging information formed by ICT systems defined in Article 3(3) of the Act of 17 February 2005 on the computerisation of activities of entities performing public tasks (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland of 2019, items 700, 730, 848 and 1590), including relations between them and relationships with the users – in accordance with Article 2(1b) of the Act of 29 August 2002 on the martial law and competences of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the rules of his subordination to the constitutional authorities of the Republic of Poland (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland of 2017, item 1932). 6 7