CHALLENGES
In the Western Balkans, the level of sophistication, persistence, and technical capability of cyber adversaries to attack critical infrastructure systems is on the rise. Cyber attacks against critical infrastructure and information ecosystems can diminish citizens’ confidence in public institutions as well as economic operations, leading to instability and erosion of social cohesion. In North Macedonia, the government, critical infrastructure operators, and private sector face a shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel particularly among young professionals. Compounding this shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals, many USAID partner countries in the Western Balkans lack adequate cybersecurity strategies, laws, systems, and institutions to respond to accelerating cyber threats. However, international allies including the European Union and NATO require that cybersecurity systems and structures be in place to address core vulnerabilities.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
This activity assists the Government of North Macedonia in strengthening cybersecurity to protect digital information in critical infrastructure sectors including energy, telecommunications, and finance from being taken, damaged, modified, or exploited. The activity engages key stakeholders from the public, private, and civil sectors, and academia to identify national cybersecurity needs, informing government policy and decision making. Activities also include partnering with the government to draft legal and policy frameworks, address critical infrastructure challenges, promote coordinated and collaborative responses to threats, and provide capacity building initiatives for key stakeholders. The activity further aims to create or upgrade cybersecurity curricula with academic institutions to better align with market needs. To address the shortage of skilled labor, the activity helps identify cybersecurity workforce deficiencies, provide capacity building, and supports cross-sectoral sharing of cybersecurity talent.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Advanced development of legislation related to critical infrastructure law.
- Increased operationalization of national cybersecurity authorities.
- Increased cybersecurity workforces within critical infrastructure entities.
- Increased information sharing between and within critical infrastructure sectors.
- Increased capacity to address cybersecurity issues within North Macedonia’s Computer Incident Response Team.
