Building Societal Resilience against Hybrid Threats

Abstract

This article addresses the efforts of NATO to improve societal resilience in the fight against hybrid threats. It examines hybrid threats as a military strategy that blends conventional warfare, irregular warfare and cyber warfare. From another point of view, the article sees over establishing a safe and secure environment for protection of civilians, as well as how to improve resilience through civil preparedness and tailored NATO support to national authorities. NATO requires a concept to be developed that operationalizes the NATO Policy with emphasis on its implementation through the planning and conduct of operations, training, education and exercises, lessons learned, as well as defence related capacity building activities. The article tackles the question of using the Centres of Excellence as an education and training network in building resilience in society against threats, including hybrid threats and protection of civilians.