In July this year, the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) participated as a partner in a workshopon 5G and telecommunications infrastructure security in Kosovo. The workshop was organized by the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) division of the U.S. Department of Commerce in cooperation with the Kosovar telecommunications regulator ARKEP. The workshop addressedkey areas related to maintaining a secure and resilient telecommunications network.
Participants focused on identifying and limiting high-risk suppliers, interagency cooperation in eliminating such untrustworthy suppliers, security requirements for mobile network operators, and preventing reliance on them. A representative of NÚKIB contributed his expertise and, together with the US, Croatian, and Albanian experts, discussed with their Kosovar counterparts the proposed legislation, which includes 5G cybersecurity and a supplier risk assessment mechanism.
The aim of such projects is to fulfill the strategic objectives of the current Czech National Cyber Security Strategy related to improving international cooperation, strengthening alliances, sharing experiences, building capacities, and promoting Czech interests abroad. It is an effective way of transferring Czech know-how and gaining valuable knowledge and experience. In the past, NÚKIB has been involved in various projects in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Examples include a technical workshop organized by NÚKIB for the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023, or a table-top cyber exercise for representatives of decision-making institutions, which the Agency co-organized in Albania this year.
Among other things, NÚKIB has long been cooperating with the CLDP division on projects aimed at securing 5G networks and telecommunications infrastructure. These projects include U.S.-hosted events for various foreign partners. In 2022, NÚKIB representatives, for example, participated in workshops for partners in Croatia, and in early 2023 for the governments of Tunisia, South Africa and selected African countries, as well as for the Polish government and other European partners.