Governance of Security in Digital Europe

Traditional conceptions of crime are challenged in the digital age: cyberspace has blurred the historical divide between civilian and military responsibility, creating a new landscape that demands unprecedented levels of communication and cooperation. To provide a grounded understanding of how the digital realm influences contemporary governance structures; real-world dynamics that define cybersecurity efforts need to be captured. Croatia provides a compelling European lens to examine the international power dynamics shaping cyberspace. Its resilience-focused strategy reflects an acute awareness of regional geopolitical dynamics, particularly in light of growing Russian cyber activities. The country's efforts underscore how smaller nations navigate the tension between national sovereignty and the need for transnational cooperation in a domain without borders. Hence, this article charts Croatia's cybersecurity architecture using qualitative methods to uncover the main frameworks, key actors, and critical collaborations that that define its approach. By leveraging the Croatian case study, this research contributes empirically to the broader discourse on the governance of security in cyberspace. It addresses the pressing challenges confronting European security frameworks as they adapt to the evolving realities of policing cyberspace, offering valuable insights into the intersection of criminology, technology, and governance.