International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

This paper examines how new security technologies could reshape Bulgaria’s critical infrastructure resilience while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities and dependencies. Bulgaria’s modernization, pursued through EU and NATO frameworks and supported by initiatives such as the Defense Innovation Center, promises stronger protection against evolving threats. Yet these same pathways embed risks, from reliance on external vendors and standards to design-level weaknesses such as expanded cyber attack surfaces and system complexity. Adopting a prospective, scenario-oriented approach, the paper argues that resilience and dependency develop in parallel, and that anticipating this paradox will be essential for shaping Bulgaria’s future security strategy.

This paper examines the prospective role of Bulgaria’s newly established Defense Innovation Center at Sofia Tech Park in strengthening critical infrastructure resilience. Designed in line with NATO and EU standards, the Center is expected to test emerging technologies and develop prototypes, with an initial focus on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced defense systems. The analysis adopts a conceptual approach, outlining potential applications of these dual-use technologies across the energy, communications, cyber, and transport sectors. It also highlights key risks, including funding sustainability, dual-use dilemmas, and continued dependence on external technological ecosystems. By situating the initiative within the broader NATO and EU innovation landscape, the paper underscores both the opportunities and uncertainties of integrating defense-driven innovation into national resilience strategies.

Cybersecurity studies increasingly prioritize empirical methodologies to understand and alleviate security risks arising from human behavior, organizational practices, and the advancement of technologies used to perform cyberattacks. This research paper explores how the school management and key educators in Bulgarian K-12 schools comprehend cybersecurity within the academic framework of the Bulgarian education system. Our survey of 927 Bulgarian K–12 educational institutions revealed that a very small number of them assess their level of cybersecurity as extremely low. Respondents see cybersecurity training as essential for ensuring information security within their institutions. Our findings indicate that only 25% of K-12 employees are able to incorporate this training into their qualification programs.

The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (Generative AI) tools into higher education has significantly influenced student learning behaviour and academic practices. This research paper explores the ways in which undergraduate students at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” apply these technologies for both academic and non-academic purposes. The results reveal that students predominantly use Generative AI for academic support, such as explaining complex concepts, conducting research, and assisting in writing tasks. At the same time, they also engage with Generative AI for personal productivity, communication, and creative exploration. Despite having generally positive perceptions of academic effectiveness, students show critical awareness of risks related to information accuracy, privacy, and ethical use.

This paper examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in airport security, with a particular focus on Sofia Airport within Bulgaria’s critical infrastructure framework. It explores the growing significance of AI in enhancing security protocols at airports, which are critical nodes in national and international transportation networks. The case study highlights a collaborative effort between Sofia Airport and VIP Security, where the “VIP Eye” system was demonstrated to airport officials for testing and feedback. VIP Eye, an AI-driven solution, is designed to detect and mitigate security threats with high precision, featuring capabilities such as weapon detection, masked face recognition, and the identification of physical altercations. The collaboration aimed to refine the system based on insights from Sofia Airport’s security expertise, contributing to advancements in security technology. The study also discusses the broader implications of AI adoption for airport security in Bulgaria, considering both technical advancements and the challenges associated with integrating such technologies within the existing security infrastructure.

This paper evaluates the potential of waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions in managing industrial and municipal waste in Bulgaria. It provides an overview of current WtE technologies, including thermal, biochemical, and innovative processes, and assesses their applicability within the Bulgarian context. The study highlights environmental and economic benefits such as reduced landfill use, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and energy recovery. By examining successful implementations in Bulgaria and other EU countries, the paper identifies key challenges and opportunities for scaling WtE solutions. The findings suggest that with the right policy support and investment, WtE can significantly contribute to sustainable waste management in Bulgaria.

This paper evaluates the potential of waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions in managing industrial and municipal waste in Bulgaria. It provides an overview of current WtE technologies, including thermal, biochemical, and innovative processes, and assesses their applicability within the Bulgarian context. The study highlights environmental and economic benefits such as reduced landfill use, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and energy recovery. By examining successful implementations in Bulgaria and other EU countries, the paper identifies key challenges and opportunities for scaling WtE solutions. The findings suggest that with the right policy support and investment, WtE can significantly contribute to sustainable waste management in Bulgaria

This paper explores the pivotal role of technology and innovation in enhancing the resilience of Bulgaria’s critical infrastructure. It examines the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, digital twins, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cyber-physical systems (CPS), and big data analytics in sectors like hazardous waste management, border security, and airport security. By analyzing case studies and current implementations, the paper highlights the successes and challenges faced in adopting these technologies. The study also discusses the importance of public-private partnerships and regulatory frameworks in fostering an environment conducive to technological innovation. The findings underscore the necessity for continuous investment in technology to safeguard critical infrastructure against emerging threats and to ensure long-term sustainability.

The article presents a comparative analysis of the organization of the early childhood education and care in three countries from the Balkan region – Romania, Greece and Bulgaria. The analysis focuses on the following aspects of preprimary education: access to early childhood education and care; organisation of centre-based ECEC; educational guidelines; organisational variations and alternative structures in ECEC.

The paper presents the research design of an international project focused on academic entrepreneurship culture and entrepreneurial education. The entrepreneurship is a key feature of the market economy and the democratic development of the countries, leading to better living standard. However, the entrepreneurial culture, knowledge and skills need to be upgraded in countries, who used to apply a planned economy approach. Thus, an examination of the current state of entrepreneurial culture is required and an approach for its development needs to be provided. The academic environment is the best place, where such an examination can be performed, and proposal can be elaborated. The current paper presents an international project, aiming to explore unrevealed strengths of academic entrepreneurship in detail and in various aspects oriented to students, academic staff, and businesspeople. The paper aims to present the scientific context in which the project is positioned and the research design of the project.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is dedicated to fostering peace, security, and stability in its member states. Counter-terrorism remains one of its top priorities, with a focus on a comprehensive and collaborative approach. This paper explores the OSCE’s counter-terrorism strategies and their implications for Bulgaria, a participating state. It delves into the collaborative efforts, initiatives, and programs that Bulgaria engages in within the OSCE framework to combat terrorism.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) spearheads a unified approach across the UN to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism globally. Despite the emergence of new challenges, including the misuse of new technologies by terrorist groups, the UNOCT has amplified its efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus remains on promoting multilateral cooperation, with the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) playing a pivotal role in fostering international cooperation against terrorism. This paper delves into Bulgaria’s contributions and role in these initiatives, emphasizing its alignment with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.