National Cyber and Information Security Agency - Historically First Cyber Dialogue Between the Czech Republic and the United States Will Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

19 March 2024

The inaugural United States - Czech Republic Cyber Dialogue, which was the largest-ever intergovernmental consultation between the Czech Republic and the United States on issues related to cybersecurity, was held on Monday, 18 March 2024 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Czernin Palace. The main topic of the meeting was the continuation and deepening cooperation not only in cybersecurity but also in the fight against cybercrime, building cyber defense, coordinating in cyber diplomacy or cooperation in digital policies and disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence or quantum technologies. In addition to representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB), the closed consultations were also attended by representatives of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, the Czech Telecommunications Office, the National Centre against Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime of the Police of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Defense, the Cyber and Information Warfare Command of the Army of the Czech Republic and intelligence services.

A delegation headed by Deputy Director Pavel Štěpáník represented NÚKIB at the meeting. "The USA is a strategic partner for the Czech Republic, and this is also true in cyberspace. Establishing the cyber dialogue format demonstrates the growing importance of cybersecurity and related topics in our bilateral relations. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss in more detail with our US counterparts from federal agencies and institutions specific areas of cooperation, as well as current threats and challenges that we need to prepare for in light of the changing security environment not only as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine." Berta Jarošová, the Czech Cyber Attachée for the USA, was involved in the preparation and coordination of the first edition of the United States - Czech Republic Cyber Dialogue, which symbolically took place five years after the publication of the so-called Prague Proposals on 5G network security.

At the end of the Czech-American meeting, a joint declaration was adopted on deepening bilateral cooperation in specific areas, including strengthening information sharing between CERT teams, cybersecurity exercises, or challenges related to the impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity and in the area of post-quantum cryptography. The complete statement can be found here: Joint Statement on the Inaugural United States-Czech Republic Cyber Dialogue - United States Department of State

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NÚKIB Representatives Co-Organized a Cyber Security Exercise in Albania

On 3 April 2024, a cyber exercise was held in Tirana, Albania, which was designed as an interactive, non-technical tabletop exercise aimed at high-level decision-makers, including security and strategic communication experts. The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) was represented by Irena Adler Pavelková and Miroslava Čavojská from the Exercise Unit, who were directly involved in the preparation of the exercise scenario, its presentation, and moderation of the discussion among the participants. The exercise was organized within the framework of the EU Cybersecurity Capacity Building in the Western Balkans, which the Estonian governmental organization e-Governance Academy led in cooperation with the Dutch non-profit organization CILC.

In collaboration with colleagues from the Albanian National Authority for Electronic Certification and Cyber Security (AKCESK), a scenario was prepared for participants from various government institutions and bank representatives, including the Bank of Albania. The scenario focused on the escalating cyber crisis in the banking sector and highlighted the multidimensional nature of cyber threats. One of the objectives of the simulation was to discuss Albania's new cybersecurity legislation and to focus on cooperation and crisis communication between the institutions involved. The cyber exercise was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Bellinda Balluku, who expressed her support for the project while emphasizing the importance of cyber security and increasing the resilience of the whole society in cyberspace.

Celá zpráva 2024-04-09