Digital attacks, surveillance, and threats to the security of communications are becoming increasingly serious challenges for civil society organisations (CSOs), journalists, and activists. At the same time, protection and support mechanisms are not developing at the same pace, further increasing their vulnerability. Civil society in Montenegro is therefore placing growing emphasis on the need for protection against digital surveillance, stronger communication security, and more accessible digital forensic support, according to the study “Under Pressure: Digital Security of Civil Society in the Western Balkans and the European Union”. The research was conducted in 11 countries across the Western Balkans and the European Union, in partnership with the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), and led by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP).
The findings warn that civil society organisations are operating in an increasingly complex digital environment marked by growing security threats, limited resources, and insufficiently developed protection systems. Although most organisations apply basic digital security measures, such as regularly updating their devices and using multi-factor authentication, a significant number still lack internal procedures for managing digital risks, responding to incidents, and ensuring the long-term protection of data and communications.
In Montenegro, 33 civil society representatives participated in the research, primarily from the fields of human rights, media freedom, journalists’ safety, anti-corruption, democratisation, and the protection of the rights of marginalised groups. These are areas that are often exposed to heightened public, political, and security pressure.
The research shows that organisations in Montenegro generally apply basic protection measures, while more advanced mechanisms remain insufficiently used. This is particularly evident in relation to digital risk assessments, incident response plans, and specialised support for detecting, analysing, and documenting digital attacks.
The data concerning possible forms of digital surveillance warrant particular attention. At the regional level, a significant number of respondents reported experiences or suspicions related to surveillance, including a case reported by a respondent from Montenegro. Some respondents from Montenegro associated suspicious behaviour on their devices with their public criticism or their communication with sources of information. This highlights the need for a more serious approach to protecting the digital rights and security of individuals and organisations working in the public interest. Respondents identified the tools they use in their daily work, such as messaging applications and social media platforms, as being among the most vulnerable.
Regarding the need for additional support, organisations from Montenegro highlighted the importance of training on identifying spyware and malware, improving the personal safety of activists and employees, and gaining a better understanding of legal rights and protection mechanisms in cases of digital attacks. At the same time, they expressed a need for more accessible digital forensic support that would enable the timely detection, analysis, and documentation of potential incidents.
One of the key conclusions of the research is that many organisations are unsure whom they can contact when they suspect a digital attack or surveillance. Digital forensic services and specialised technical support are also often limited or financially inaccessible. This further increases the vulnerability of organisations working on human rights protection, democratic oversight of institutions, and other matters of public interest.
The findings confirm that digital security is no longer merely a technical issue, but an essential precondition for the unhindered work of civil society organisations, the protection of freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, and the preservation of democratic space. The experiences of organisations from Montenegro point to a growing awareness of these challenges, but also to the need for significantly greater investment in knowledge, resources, and support mechanisms that will enable a more effective response to increasingly sophisticated digital threats.
Željka Zvicer, Programme Associate