The growing number of cyber security incidents poses a significant challenge national governments' efforts to safeguard citizens and critical infrastructure. To address this pressing issue, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi in collaboration with National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB), GovTech Agency Bhutan, and the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Thimphu organises a three-day seminar from October 9 to 11, 2024, in Thimphu, Bhutan. The seminar aims to strengthen the preparedness and resilience of Bhutanese state institutions through professional training and the sharing of best practices. The program, organized under the auspices of the Agenda 2030 and CyberVac of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, features discussions on the latest legal approaches and strategies in cyber security, an assessment of current challenges within various institutions, and exploration of ways to attract new talent in the cyber security field.
Her Excellency Eliska Zigova, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India and Bhutan, during her last official visit to Bhutan in May 2024, confirmed the Czech Republic´s readiness to provide cyber security experts during a courtesy call with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. In her opening remarks the Czech Ambassador talked about the importance of strengthening the Czech-Bhutanese relations: “As our daily lives become increasingly digitalized, understanding how to safeguard against potential threats is as crucial as developing robust infrastructure that enhance our quality of life. Czechia is honoured to collaborate with Bhutan and support national authorities in their pursuit of a safer and more resilient future. “
In 2014, Czechia became one of the first nations to implement a comprehensive cybersecurity legislative framework. Recognizing the growing complexity of cyber threats, the Czech government consolidated its technical and personnel resources under NUKIB to strengthen its national response. Veronika Kolek Netolicka, Cyber Attachée for Indo-Pacific at NÚKIB, emphasizes the importance of a solid legal foundation: “Establishing a robust cyber framework wasn't without its challenges, but the experience has shaped our approach today. We’re excited to share our expertise and empower a trusted democratic partner in Asia to navigate the evolving cyber landscape.”
With the rapid adoption of digital technologies and the ongoing digital transformation, Bhutan is facing a growing number of cyber security threats. In response, Bhutan has developed a National Cybersecurity Strategy as part of its 13th Five-Year Plan, led by the GovTech Agency, Bhutan. The plan aims to strengthen the nation's digital infrastructure and cybersecurity resilience. GovTech Agency Bhutan welcomes the opportunity to host the expert seminar in collaboration with Czechia. Jigme Tenzing, Secretary of GovTech, emphasized in his opening remarks that “the experience sharing through this seminar will help in implementing the action plans outlined in our National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS). By understanding Czechia's journey, we can strengthen our own cybersecurity capabilities and contribute to a more secure digital Bhutan”.