Just as land, sea, air, and space have long been recognised as domains of security and defence, cyberspace has emerged as another critical domain in which states pursue their security interests, conflicts unfold, and essential services underpinning modern society operate. Moreover, this domain permeates all other domains and has a direct impact on our capabilities and capacities within each of them. The consequences of cyber incidents can therefore affect economies, public services, critical infrastructure, as well as military infrastructure.

Today’s cyber threats take many forms. In addition to state actors and state-sponsored groups targeting espionage, the theft of sensitive information, and the disruption of important systems, significant risks are also posed by cybercriminal groups motivated by financial gain.

Recent years have also shown that security can no longer be viewed in isolation. The resilience of individual institutions is increasingly interconnected with that of their suppliers, partners, and broader technological ecosystems. A vulnerability affecting a single supplier can impact dozens or even hundreds of organizations. This makes systematic risk management, diversification, and trust in the technologies we use more important than ever.

These developments are also reflected in the new Czech Cybersecurity Act, which aims to strengthen the resilience of the Czech Republic and enhance the protection of services essential to the functioning of the state and society. Senior leadership must understand key risks, create conditions for their effective management, and support the development of a strong security culture. Experience repeatedly shows that the costs of responding to a major cybersecurity incident are often significantly higher than the costs of prevention.

I am convinced that cooperation is one of the most important prerequisites for future security. No institution, company, or state can successfully address complex threats alone. The ability to share information, experience, and responsibility across the public sector, private companies, and academia, both nationally and internationally, will determine the strength of our collective resilience.

I believe that Future Forces Forum 2026 will once again provide a platform for inspiring discussions, new partnerships, and solutions that will contribute to strengthening the security of the Czech Republic and its allies.