The integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones, IoT sensors, big data, and blockchain is revolutionizing disaster management by enhancing response speed and effectiveness. However, these advancements introduce significant challenges in security governance and legal liability, particularly around accountability, data protection, algorithmic bias, and the resilience of critical infrastructure. This comparative study examines how India and Serbia regulate the use of these technologies in disaster management, incorporating legal analysis, policy review, and expert insights. The findings highlight that while India focuses on national frameworks, particularly through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Serbia aligns its disaster management approach with European Union standards and emphasizes regional cooperation. Both countries face common challenges, including the attribution of liability for autonomous decision-making, cybersecurity risks, and cross-border coordination. To address these issues, the study proposes a hybrid governance model that combines adaptive regulation, multi-stakeholder partnerships, liability-sharing mechanisms, and technology-neutral legal frameworks. The research argues that effective regulation must balance operational efficiency with security, legitimacy, and human rights protection, ultimately fostering public trust and enhancing disaster resilience.
This comparative study of security governance and Legal liability in disaster management highlights the challenges and opportunities involved in regulating emerging technologies. Analyzing the approaches of India and Serbia shows that, although both countries are updating their regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements, there are still notable gaps—especially in assigning liability, ensuring security, and facilitating cross-border cooperation. The study indicates that both centralized and networked governance models involve trade-offs among security, efficiency, and flexibility. India’s hierarchical system offers unified standards but faces implementation hurdles, while Serbia’s networked approach provides integration benefits yet grapples with sovereignty concerns and dependency issues.
Key insights include: (1) traditional legal liability frameworks are insufficient for managing risks from new technologies, necessitating specialized laws and judicial adaptation; (2) security governance must strike a balance between protective measures and operational effectiveness through risk-based strategies and flexible regulation; (3) cross-border efforts should find a middle ground between sovereignty and effectiveness, using graduated levels of integration; and (4) effective governance depends on capacity building and involving multiple stakeholders to address complex technological challenges.
This study enriches the academic understanding of how technology is governed in disaster situations and offers practical guidance for policy development. The proposed hybrid governance model provides a flexible framework to tackle shared challenges while respecting each country’s unique context. Future research should focus on how these recommendations are implemented and on the governance hurdles posed by emerging technologies in disaster management. As new innovations continue to reshape security landscapes, adaptable governance systems that balance innovation with protection will be vital for maintaining societal resilience and security.
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