As part of the project "Norway for you - Serbia", support will be provided for the drafting of the Strategy for the development of information security covering the upcoming period, and for the review of the criteria for identifying critical information infrastructure (CII) in the Republic of Serbia. Moreover, equipment will also be purchased for a cyber exercise platform, which will be used for exercises reflecting real cyber-attack and defence scenarios for representatives of the National Centre for the Prevention of Security Risks in ICT systems of the Republic of Serbia (the National CERT within RATEL), and other CERTs in Serbia.
„Serbia and Norway have good bilateral relations, in particular through the integration and cooperation in the Western Balkans, hence the value of this project is even greater. The National CERT within RATEL will obtain a platform enhancing its capacity and technical capabilities. The line ministry has laid solid foundations in the Law on Information Security and in the Strategy for the Development of Information Security, and it is necessary to further develop the capacities of both the CERT and all other institutions dealing with critical information infrastructure,” said the State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Tatjana Matić.
These activities will be implemented by September 2021 with the support of the Kingdom of Norway.
„RATEL has secured a professional data centre that will house all the equipment necessary to operate an attack and defence simulation platform, and in such a manner, we will be able to organize national cyber exercises for representatives of CERTs in Serbia. This is a truly unique example of partnership with the Kingdom of Norway and UNOPS, which ensures significant and tangible progress in information security,” said RATEL Director Vladica Tintor.
According to the Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Janne Knutrud, Norway's support amounting to EUR 1.2 million will contribute to the development of a strategic framework focusing on EU standards, as well as to the enhancement of the information security.
“By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we have reaffirmed our commitment to the Serbian Government's development priorities such as digitization and the EU accession process, because we will help the country to harmonize its regulations with the European rules and norms," said Knutrud.
The Norway for You - Serbia project is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Serbia.
“Through this project, funded by the Kingdom of Norway and implemented by UNOPS, we support the Ministry and RATEL to improve information security strategies and regulations, as well as procure equipment, software and necessary licenses," said Michela Telatin, Head of the UNOPS Office in Serbia.
The “Norway for You - Serbia” Project aims to contribute to a balanced socio-economic development in Serbia by increasing employment opportunities, in particular for vulnerable and marginalised groups, supporting social cohesion, improving local infrastructure, supporting the Republic of Serbia’s integration into the European Union and strengthening the information security of the Serbian Government. The Project is funded by the Kingdom of Norway with EUR 6.18 million, and activities on the ground are implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
