Skopje, 11 January 2024 (MIA) - The Ministry of Internal Affairs has demonstrated exceptional preparedness in dealing with cyber threats, emphasizing that cooperation with US and NATO allies is crucial, said Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski during a meeting with the US Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Nathaniel Fick, at the State Department in Washington, as reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Highlighting the commitment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the development and implementation of a strong digital policy and cybersecurity strategy as crucial for safeguarding our citizens and infrastructure, Spasovski underscored the preparedness to tackle cyber threats.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia has shown exceptional readiness in dealing with these types of threats, resulting in the establishment of a cross-sectoral forensic processing team involving the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime, the Computer Crime Sector, and the International Police Cooperation Sector. The goal is to successfully manage, exchange information, secure electronic evidence, and engage in international collaboration through channels such as Interpol, Europol, contact with international Internet Service Providers, VPN services, etc. With this in mind, I want to share some of the key areas on which our ministry is focusing,” Spasovski said.

Additionally, he briefed Ambassador Fick on national capacities and the advancement of international collaboration at a strategic level.

“Firstly, we are committed to strengthening our national cyber defense capabilities. This involves investing in the latest technologies, training our personnel, and conducting regular exercises to be prepared for hybrid threats. Here, I would mention the capital project aimed at building digital infrastructure with a modern ICT data center for disaster recovery. Secondly, international cooperation and partnerships are the cornerstone of our strategy. Collaboration with allies and partners from NATO, including the United States, is crucial for the exchange of information, resources, and best practices. We are committed to building and participating in multilateral initiatives to counter cyber threats in a coordinated and effective manner. This was particularly evident during the hybrid attacks last year, with false reports of explosive devices in over 700 state facilities. We responded and effectively dealt with these incidents by establishing special security protocols,” Spasovski noted.

Spasovski underlined that support from the United States will be further deepened, acting as a deterrent to specific actors while ensuring a steadfast guarantee of cybersecurity and overall infrastructure security.

Additionally, Spasovski formally requested further support and assistance in developing the cybersecurity system and protecting the critical infrastructure of the Republic of North Macedonia. These areas are priorities for the state, both in terms of their significance and security.

Ambassador Nathaniel Fick, on his part, commended the success in establishing the ICT center in Prilep, which enables the protection of digital data for state institutions.

He extended congratulations to Minister Spasovski for the success in organizing and ensuring the security of the OSCE Summit in Skopje, underscoring the continued enhancement of cooperation between the United States and the Republic of North Macedonia.

Furthermore, Spasovski and Fick have mutually committed to collaborating on the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy.

Photo: Interior Ministry