Grkovska: Close cooperation and coordination necessary between all cyber security projects in country
Skopje, 1 August 2022 (MIA) – Deputy PM for good governance policies Slavica Grkovska organized on Monday an online meeting between the Minister of Information Society and Administration, Admirim Aliti, and representatives of the Estonian E-Governance Academy (eGA) and USAID in North Macedonia, in order to ensure coordination and close cooperation in the country’s projects focused on cyber security.
Deputy Minister of Information Society and Administration, Aleksandar Bajdevski, as well as representatives of the Agency for Electronic Communications also attended the meeting, Grkovska’s office said in a press release.
“Deputy PM Grkovska stressed it is extremely important for the Republic of North Macedonia that all projects implemented in the country through foreign partners be mutually coordinated and complementary, so as to avoid overlapping and increase efficiency,” reads the press release.
She pointed out that the Estonian E-Governance Academy, with the support of the European Union, is already starting a new cyber security project in the country, which is why it’s important for the eGA team to be in constant coordination with USAID representatives working together with the Government to strengthen cyber defense from multiple aspects.
Senior Cyber Security Expert at eGA, Merle Maigre, noted that after eGA, with the support of the European Union, made an analysis of the situation in the Western Balkans region, the project enters its second phase, i.e. undertaking specific activities and measures in North Macedonia. According to Maigre, this is very important given the current security situation in terms of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Minister Aliti highlighted that based on the eGA analysis, North Macedonia is already acting on the critical aspects of building a cyber safe eco system.
USAID’s Dawn Carmin welcomed Deputy PM Grkovska’s initiative, underlining that regular coordination with eGA will be of great importance in the implementation of the projects.
USAID’s project in the area of cyber security focuses on several key aspects, i.e. energy, banking and finance, as well as communications and technology, and building the system’s digital resilience. In addition, the USAID representatives said attention should be paid to boosting the capacities of universities and faculties.
Deputy PM Grkovska, the press release adds, noted that cyber security awareness should be strengthened at all levels, including among officials and heads of state institutions.
Interlocutors also agreed that regular meetings should be held once a month coordinated through Deputy PM Grkovska’s office, the press release reads.
