Prishtina, 25 June 2015 – Institutions are obliged to find a reasonable balance between rational use of internet and most adequate forms of ensuring prohibition of unauthorized access to internet, in order to avoid its use for foul purposes, said Minister of Economic Development Blerand Stavileci.

Minister Stavileci made these comments today during the workshop on “Cyber Security in Kosovo – Dialogue on Strategic Priorities” held in Prishtina and attended by representatives of Kosovo institutions, World Bank Kosovo, ARKEP, academia and representatives of companies providing IT and electronic communication services, and also used to present the Report on Cybernetic Security Capacities in Kosovo.

Stavileci underscored that information technology and electronic communications are the cornerstone of the functioning of any economic sector. However, despite the positive effects and numerous benefits that this sphere brings to all economic sectors, it also carries certain potential risks.

Enhancement of cybernetic security, according to Stavileci, represents a global tendency and our country had commenced a diagnostic report in due time, in order to open way to a National Strategy on Cybernetic Protection, being that the development of this sector represents a governmental priority.

For his part, the World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo, Jan Peter Olters, said that the growing dependency from internet, as both an information source and a management instrument, brings about both endless opportunities but also new risks.

According to him, by paying continuous attention to and enhancing cybernetic security, families, companies and the government may benefit from access to information, management and oversight improvements, trade development and improved communication, while ensuring a certain level of protection from cybercrimes and cyber security flows.

Michael Goldsmith, Acting Head of the Global Cyber Security Capacity Center (GCSCC), praised Kosovo institutions, which, in cooperation with their partners, are showing interest towards increasing cyber security, as a fundamental prerequisite for the development of IT and electronic services sector.

Further, Lara Pace, Knowledge Exchange Manager in GCSCC, presented the Cyber Security Capacity in Kosovo report, covering five dimensions. Of note, the World Bank, through GCSCC, is supporting Kosovo in enhancing its cyber security, through a pilot project which assesses the capacities and strives to identify cyber security gaps in the country.