Access to Information in the Republic of Macedonia: Between Transparency and Secrecy

Critical Infrastructure Versus Critical Information Infrastructure

Critical infrastructure (CI) and critical information infrastructure protection have been a focus of attention in many countries in recent years. Many developed countries generally define their critical infrastructure in terms of the criticality of particular sectors or services to the safety and security of their society, government and economy. While countries widely use the term “critical infrastructure”, the term “critical information infrastructure” is less common in national policies, strategies and structures. However, “critical information infrastructure” has emerged as a somewhat neutral and general term in the international community although no formal attempt has been made to reach a common definition or understanding. The diversity of input across the different countries does not allow us for a single common formal definition. Most of the countries have formulated policy and developed good practices to safeguard the information systems and networks that can be considered as critical information infrastructure. However, there are different approaches to the problem (Auerswald, Branscomb, Porte, & Michel-Kerjan, 2005).