If algorithms can rewrite democracy as they did in the 2024 and 2025 election seasons, institutions must be prepared to protect it. In order to combat digital disinformation and hybrid interference, however, we need a clear governance architecture: specific roles, courageous policies and good coordination between institutions. A country project of “digital resilience” and a “digital shield” for Romania are not built in silos, but through solid governance structures. Our model is a “whole-of-government to whole-of-society” one, segmented on three levels: the strategic level (a special department at the Presidential Administration), the operational level (Hub for Digital Resilience and Cognitive Defense at the Government), and the societal level.

Romania has experienced unprecedented hybrid turbulence, turbulence that has polarized its society. These have materialized mainly in the digital space. Therefore, it is imperative for Romania to build its security antibodies in the digital space as well. Edge Institute proposes recommendations for a cross-country project of “digital resilience”, a project materialized both domestically and internationally. Starting from a diagnosis and analysis of the strategic framework, these recommendations aim to counter hybrid attacks, combat disinformation through cognitive defense, an innovative technology policy, strengthen Romania’s digital skills and digital diplomacy, among other measures.