Vice Minister of National Defence Edvinas Kerza conducting a visit to the United States of America on November 5 through 8 discussed with representatives of the Departments of Defence and State further development of the Regional Cybersecurity Centre to be established in Kaunas and participation of the U.S side in the project.
“We see the Centre as the main platform for bilateral cooperation in cyber, it will provide as a framework for joint research, training, work and exchange of experience on emerging threats,” Vice Minister E.Kerza said about the main objectives of the Centre.
“We have begun first practical bilateral cooperation projects this year – we are developing equipment tfor detecting malicious activities in information networks, we have cooperated to protect the information system of elections in Lithuania earlier this year. The next step we have discussed at the meetings was to ensure continuous presence of the United States cybersecurity experts at the Regional Cybersecurity Centre in Kaunas,” E.Kerza underscored.
The Centre is an important element of cybersecurity in the area of practical international cooperation. It is where the groundwork is laid for Lithuanian and partner nations’ experts to do operational level work in order to coordinate and come up with effective measures for the common fight against cyber threats. The Regional Centre is planned to be manned by Lithuania, the U.S., Ukraine, and Georgia, and expected to reach Full Operational Capability in 2021.
Vice Minister E. Kerza also discussed cooperation in ensuring security of 5G networks infrastructure with representatives of the Departments of Defence and State and the National Security Council.
According to E. Kerza, the U.S. and Lithuania see risks and threats potentially arising from the 5G infrastructure in the same way.
“We have discussed concrete further political and practical steps. One of such steps is an invitation to the U.S. side to test and develop together with us in Lithuania the 5G infrastructure necessary for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and hosting allied forces,” Vice Minister E. Kerza stressed.
Photo credits: MoD
