THE ROLE OF CYBERSECURITY IN THE ROMANIAN DEFENCE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

In the context of modern technologies, the dynamic expansion of cyberspace resulted in a numerical and complexity increase of cyber threats, with a direct impact on the national security of multiple countries. Romania, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union, has become more aware of this problem, in the last decade, implementing a set of national strategies regarding cyber defence. As a part of the national defence system, cybersecurity specialized training is experiencing both a knowledge and practical experience shortage. Therefore, using higher-education cybersecurity programmes as an interface for the development of the national defence system, represents a sustainable solution. Thus, the present paper aims to highlight the importance of cybersecurity educational programmes in training future specialists. The starting point is a literature review regarding cybersecurity and Romania's perception on this subject, that contributes to identifying and understanding the need of a cybersecurity educational model for the Romanian defence system. By interrelating all universities and educational centres that activate in the defence system, a matrix has been outlined on how the future workforce in the defence system can achieve specialization by following certain institutional paths.