Skopje, 20 September 2023 (MIA) – The rapid progress of technology has made cybersecurity more important than ever before so digital transformation should be taken seriously, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance policies Slavica Grkovska said Wednesday at the Global Cyber Policy Dialogues: Western Balkans, in Skopje.

The new draft Law on Security of Network and Information Systems that the National Council for a Digital Transformation of Society is working on foresees establishing a special agency that will oversee this issue, she added.

The Deputy PM referred to the efforts North Macedonia has undertaken in recent years in this area, as well as creating and strengthening capacities, coordinating donor support and international cooperation, that allow the country to increase its capabilities to address the complex challenges caused by cybersecurity.

Regarding hybrid threats jeopardizing democratic societies in the Western Balkan region, Grkovska pointed to the cyber-attacks on the IT infrastructure and digital services that exploit already existing differences, spread fear among citizens and promote distrust in democratic institutions.

"It is time all governments in the region and stakeholders focused on building resistance to hybrid warfare, cyber-attacks and other threats related to harmful foreign influences and misinformation campaigns.

"The approach that includes everyone in a society is the only method that can produce results which is why we need to encourage cooperation between governments, media, and civil society, as well as share practices and knowledge on a regional level," Grkovska stressed. ssh/mr