5. CYBER SECURITY AREAS Cyber security areas are defined in accordance with the evaluation of Croatia’s priority needs at the time of drafting the Strategy and they cover the security measures in the area of communication and information infrastructure and services, where we have public electronic communications, e-Government and electronic financial services as infrastructure of primary strategic interest for the entire society. Protection of critical communication and information infrastructure is also a very important area of cyber security. It may be present in each of the three infrastructure areas mentioned above, but has significantly different characteristics and it is necessary to determine the criteria for recognising those characteristics. Cybercrime has been present in the society for a long time in different forms, but at today’s level of development of the society’s virtual dimension it poses a constant and growing threat to the development and economic prosperity of every modern state. That is why countering cybercrime is also considered a priority cyber security area and it is necessary to define the strategic goals to improve the efforts in countering this type of crime in the coming period. The area of cyber defence represents the part of the defence strategy falling under the responsibility of the ministry in charge of defence issues. It is the subject of separate elaboration and action, which will be pursued using all the necessary elements arising from this Strategy. Cyberterrorism and other cyber aspects of national security are dealt with by a small number of the competent bodies within the security and intelligence system and require a separate approach, and that will also include the use of all the necessary elements arising from this Strategy. Cyber security areas are analysed in relation to the general goals of the Strategy in order to identify the special objectives aimed at achieving improvements in each individual area and the measures necessary for achieving the goals of the Strategy. The special objectives, as well as the measures that will be further elaborated by the Action plan for the implementation of the Strategy, are determined with regard to the defined society sectors and the influence of the cyber security area on each individual sector, but also with regard to the forms of mutual cooperation and coordination of cyber security stakeholders. The principles defined by the Strategy are followed in the elaboration of the cyber security areas. 5.1 Electronic communication and information infrastructure and services 5.1.1 Public electronic communications (A) Public electronic communications include the provision of an electronic communications network and/or the provision of an electronic communications service. Electronic communication and information infrastructure, performing of activities including electronic communication networks and services, spatial planning, building, maintenance, development and use of electronic communication networks, electronic communication infrastructure and 9 of 31