The Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia (MOD) was officially handed over an integrated cyber security solution – both hardware and software – under the EU SAFE programme, in partnership with the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).  

Opening remarks were made by Mr. Levan GIORGOBIANI, Director of the Cyber Security Bureau of Georgia’s Defence Ministry and Ms. Evija KOTAN, Deputy Head of Political Section of the European Delegation to Georgia. The event was attended by dignitaries from Georgia’s Defence Ministry, EU Delegation to Georgia and UNOPS. The formal handover ceremony included a virtual presentation of the cyber security solutions delivered to the Cyber Security Bureau, which is intended to create a robust and effective mechanism within the MOD system to effectively protect critical IT infrastructure, enhance cyber security and prevent data loss.

“It shall be acknowledged that success in the Cyber domain requires a holistic approach. Efficiency can not be achieved without sufficient HR, technology and finances. Thanks to the EU SAFE project we equipped our IT infrastructure with the state-of-the-art cyber security technologies. Apart from this, the Project allowed us to train our technical staff. All the benefits received from the exemplary cooperation with the European Union and UNOPS create a robust cyber security at both the Ministry of Defence and national levels”, - said Levan GIORGOBIANI, Director of Georgia’s Cyber Security Bureau in his welcome remarks at the handover ceremony.

The support provided by the European Union enabled to advance technological capacities of the Bureau through the provision of critical cyber security solutions, which aims at enhancing the detection of infected systems, minimizing the incidents of unauthorized access and data loss, and thus creating a safer environment in the cyberspace of Georgia’s Defence System. In addition to the technological support, relevant training was also delivered to improve the capacities of the CSB personnel.

Evija KOTAN, Deputy Head of Political Section of the European Delegation to Georgia: “Today’s event is part of a larger cooperation that we have on security within the SAFE programme. One part of this programme is the critical infrastructure protection - the cyber infrastructure protection. Of course it is very important also for the EU because cyber threats and cyber attacks affect not only Georgia but also everything we do together. So we are very interested in strengthening both the human and technical capacities in the security sector”.

The handover ceremony was followed by a presentation of the Cyber Security Strategy of the Ministry of Defence 2021-2024.   

“We also got a presentation of the Cyber Security Strategy of the Ministry of Defence and this is also an important link to our programme because we both need the legislative framework that also makes all of the institutions that are involved to work together on the basis of the same rules. Here I would also like to add that the EU operates on the whole-of-the-society approach concerning security cooperation. That means that we are concerned about the security of the Georgian citizens in general. All these initiatives should run in a way that protects the Georgian citizens, human rights, personal data and the rule of law,” - said Evija KOTAN in her commentary after the event.

Mikkel BOHOLT, Country Representative, UNOPS/Georgia: “As part of our common United Nations development efforts, UNOPS is proud to have successfully delivered critical cyber security equipment, along with the training of personnel, to Georgia's Cyber Security Bureau. By applying our global expertise in procurement, project management and infrastructure, UNOPS supported the Ministry of Defence and its Cyber Security Bureau to enhance its technological and institutional capabilities. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration and partnership with the European Union under the EU SAFE programme and to help the Government of Georgia achieve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of their institutions."

The EU SAFE programme has been implemented since July 2019. The “Support to Advancing Technical Capacities for Ensuring Human Security” Project is part of a wider initiative by the European Union (EU) for the Security Sector in Georgia under the EU SAFE Programme. The Project is aimed at supporting the Government of Georgia in achieving efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of institutions in the security sector through identification of specific needs and procurement of modern technology. UNOPS in Georgia, as the project implementing entity, is responsible for overall management of the procurement processes of both hardware and software as well as delivery and relevant training to enhance institutional and operational capacities of the designated security sector actors. The Ministry of Defence of Georgia and the Cyber Security Bureau are one of the counterparts in the EU SAFE programme implementation process.