The project for the creation of an Integrated Security Operations Center (SOC) for the Western Balkans was officially launched at Goce Delcev University.
This is a project funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by CRDF Global. The event will also present plans for the establishment of a Security Operations Center (SOC) at Goce Delcev University – Stip, which will operate according to international cybersecurity standards.
Goce Delcev University – Stip is proud to join the Alliance for the Establishment of an Integrated Security Operations Center (SOC) for the Western Balkans, funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by CRDF Global, within the framework of its Digital Resilience and Cybersecurity Program. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to building a trusted, secure, and interconnected digital environment, aligned with U.S. standards and strategic priorities in the field of cybersecurity.
– Today we are announcing the start of activities to establish an integrated cyber security operations center within the Goce Delcev University, with the support of the US Government, together with the company CRDF Global and Carnegie Mellon University, which should have a dual purpose – a center where future personnel in the field of cybersecurity will be trained and at the same time grow into an operations center to support activities in the field of cybersecurity. We are aware that with today’s level of connection between digital and real life, security in the digital world is becoming increasingly important, probably just as important as security in the real world. New generations will have serious challenges and that is why, by combining theoretical and practical knowledge, with the support of international partners, we will be able to create a system that will be at the service of society. It is a special honor for me that UGD once again proves that it is not just an open university, but is an active factor in building a healthier, safer society. I am sure that young people, not only from Macedonia, because this will be a regional center, will have the opportunity to gain truly high-quality knowledge and competencies to deal with the problems brought by the new digital age – said the rector of the UGD, Prof. Dr. Dejan Mirakovski.
The center will be a hub with special technical equipment, but at the same time, study programs adapted to the use of that equipment will be created and theoretical and practical knowledge will be obtained to deal with the risks that arise during cyber attacks, inappropriate information that spreads through cyberspace.
According to the Minister of Education and Science, Vesna Janevska, investing in cybersecurity is becoming a priority in times like these, when digitalization is becoming an integral part of life.
– Today at the UGD we are promoting a new regional Cyber Security Center, which will also be joined by Albania and Montenegro. With this center, we will enable greater resilience of institutions to digital, i.e. cyber threats, but we will also create human capital, experts, who will take care of our security. What is important for our country is that Macedonia is recognized as a country that has the capacity and where the first regional Cyber Security Center in the Western Balkans will be located. This is a center that unites the Government, institutions and academia that should develop people who will work in the Ministry of Interior in the future and will be prepared to respond to their function – said Minister Janevska.
– This is a cyber incident response center in the academic sector, which will mean training staff with teaching content, certification of staff coming from the real sector, but also responding to cyber incidents that may occur in the academic world in simulation or in reality. The significance of this project for Shtip and UGD is enormous, from the aspect that it is a regional center for responding to cyber incidents in the academic community. It is extremely important that this is a continuation and confirmation of the support from our strategic partner, the USA, in the fight against cybercrime, and this academic CIRK is another step that will upgrade the government center for responding to cyber incidents – emphasized the Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski.
According to the vice-rector of UGD, Prof. Dr. Sasho Kocevski, this is the official start of the project for creating an Integrated Security Operations Center (SOC) in the Western Balkans. A project funded by the US Department of State and implemented by CRDF Global.
– Today, plans were presented for the establishment of a Security Operations Center (SOC) at Goce Delcev University – Stip, which will operate according to international cybersecurity standards. This center is not only a capital investment, that is, it is not only an investment in high-tech and advanced equipment, but also has a different role of educating and training senior professionals and experts in the field of cybersecurity. They will be educated according to the most modern, internationally accepted standards, led by professors at the University of Georgia in cooperation with the CRDF Global partner network, as well as software engineering experts at Carnegie Mellon University in the USA, which is one of the best in this field. We are already starting operational activities and hope that in a short time we will start preparing internationally certified accreditation programs, immediately after which we will start with the first generation that will be certified. In parallel, we are preparing infrastructure, purchasing equipment, and this is something that is in cooperation with our partners, because this is equipment that can be found on the market every day and which is high-tech and requires special conditions for installation and use. This center will not only have an academic, but also an operational function, that is, it will help strengthen national capacities for cybersecurity and resilience, and should also help in a slightly broader regional and transatlantic integration.
The event was also attended by the Acting US Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Nicole Burns, who said that through this initiative, cybersecurity education at the UGD is strengthened and the skills framework in this field in North Macedonia is aligned with international standards and closer coordination between the academy, the Government and international partners is encouraged.
– Of course, this effort is part of a broader and deeper cooperation. At our recent strategic dialogue, we also announced the Falcon program, to strengthen the digital infrastructure in government institutions. These initiatives strengthen our shared commitment to resilience, preparedness and collective defense. Threats in cyberspace know no borders. As allies, our security is interconnected. Together we can more effectively anticipate, prevent and respond to challenges,” said Acting Ambassador Nicole Burns.
The event was also attended by representatives of CRDF Global, as well as members of the RSM Assembly.
